Introductions...

Hello Janet!

Nice introduction.

I hope that other members will help you soon.

Harmonie.

Hey Janet and welcome to Saudi Arabia!

English teacher are in good demand here, but I think there are a couple of certifications that you may require to apply for the same.

Abaya, compulsory if you ever want to step out. I am sure that you might be able to get one no matter how tall you are, else you can get them made as well.

Flip flops, yeah why not? there is no rules against that!

Cheers!

Hi LJanetR

Welcome to the blog.
Your new adventure will be a harsh reality for you. I ask you to do a lot of reading up on Islam and our cultural rules here in Saudi particularly for women. You will need to buy yourself your abbaya and scarf in Cape Town before leaving, keep it in your hand luggage and put it on in Dubai awaiting your connecting flight to Riyadh.

Regards working, you may want to secure yourself a job first from South Africa before leaving - sometimes the husbands Iqama (residency permit) states 'wife not allowed to work'. Look for agencies in South Africa who will help you with this process. And as Red Goblin says, you will have to be qualified for the job with certified papers.

Keep looking through this blog as there is also enough information on here re accomodation,things to do etc to relieve you of your concerns.

Good Luck in your adventure.

hey there janet hun flipflops are tottally fine and once you're here i'll let u know where u can find some tailored abyas that aren't too pricy :p don't worry about it and i hope you enjoy your stay

UnfulfilledDreams wrote:

Hi, I wear flip flops, I think is ok, and my abaya was long but I cut it because I was falling and stumbling while walking, as I never used before, now it reachs above my ankle which shows my flip flops or shoes. So u can wear them it's ok.

About the abaya I still don't know where to get them, look, I saw some northamerican girls wearing so cool abayas with N i K e and Adidas symbols and they have a very nice hood, so u dont need to wear the scarf! for what I think is so uncomplicated, but I don't know where to get them I heard that there are compunds's stores that sale them but I'm not sure, but really, they r so cool I mean comparing with the horrible ones traditional... which I am wearing cz I dunno where to get the cool ones .

And about job,,, no clue, but I read few schools are hiring, and only privates. Public schools stop to hire foreign female teachers, then I will send u the article on msn news.

So this is, c ya:)

jihan, i get mine from a place in royal mall called silver star they're not too pricy! and they have an okay range i should take you there oneday

@UFDreams
I am bringing my flipflops with because I love wearing them in South Africa.
I have found a beautifull abaya that is bedazzled and its long enough for me so I have at least one I can wear
I am doing a Celta course and I hear it should be enough
I am keeping it open as a option

@Sparrow
I am sure I will be fine, I am not your typical housewife hanging out in malls al day. I will be coming home every 2 months because I think missing my family might be the worst for me. My husband has been working with the University in Riyadh for many years and (I think) I am prepared because I sometimes entertain some of the engineers and their wifes.
The company my husband works for will be organising the accomadation I just hope its a nice compound.
I look forward to traveling a bit

@Sarah.r I hope we can go shopping soon. I love to sew and I cant wait to get to all the material shops

Thanks for all the replies

Looking forward to it Hun

Hi

You can visit Al Andalus Souk. You can find different kinds of Abayas.

Hello LJanetR - I am even newer to this than you !! - I came across your blog when I was looking for an Abaya in Cape Town, a nice one !!!! My story is that my husband is teaching ESL in Riyadh, this is his 2nd stint & I am planning a visit over the New Year & to join him as from May 12 till the end of his contract, I must wait until then as I have a small business that needs commitments fulfilling. I also have a CELTA quali. and would like to teach whilst I am there & also hope that we can stay on for another year or 2. My main thing at the moment is locating a supplier for the Abaya in Cape Town as I know I have to have one for my visit in Jan, would you be kind enough to let me know where there is a shop :-)That is my starting point !!!, I look forward to your reply, Kind Regards

Gina P wrote:

Hello LJanetR - I am even newer to this than you !! - I came across your blog when I was looking for an Abaya in Cape Town, a nice one !!!! My story is that my husband is teaching ESL in Riyadh, this is his 2nd stint & I am planning a visit over the New Year & to join him as from May 12 till the end of his contract, I must wait until then as I have a small business that needs commitments fulfilling. I also have a CELTA quali. and would like to teach whilst I am there & also hope that we can stay on for another year or 2. My main thing at the moment is locating a supplier for the Abaya in Cape Town as I know I have to have one for my visit in Jan, would you be kind enough to let me know where there is a shop :-)That is my starting point !!!, I look forward to your reply, Kind Regards

Hello Gina if all else fails have ur hubby buy u one n slip it on at the airport when u arrive :p

Thanks Sarah - Defiantly a plan B :-)