Re: Living/working in KSA
I am living in KSA.. was born and raised here ....i'll try to answer your questions.
*1. The education system, what are the differences with Pakistan? There must be an availability of english mediums for children, if yes till which grade? And if no, how do those children who don't know Arabic get their education? *
Loads of schools have popped up in recent years, some offering the american cirriculum and some the british. If your friend wants, he can send his children to the Pakisani Embassy School (urdu or english section).. the standard is probably the same as the schools in pakistan.
There are also two very well known prep schools, run by the british/dutch embassies, called Jeddah Prep and Continental... they have branches in Jeddah and Riyadh.. excellent standard of education.
*2. My friend recently got his MBA degree; what are the possibilities of finding a suitable job there as well as the average/minimum income? How much is enough to take care of a family of 4 people? The prices of houses, is it easier to buy or to rent a house?*
It really depends on where your friend got his degree from.. a well known Uni in Pakistan (LUMS or IBA), some other lesser known paki Uni or from abroad. If he is coming from a western country and has a western degree, he will have no problem finding a high paying job with lots of bonus'. Same applies to him having studied at LUMS or IBA. I also like to believe that luck has somethign to do with it... not like everyone sitting at a good post is a citizen of a western country or has studied at a reputable Uni...
Being an expat, he will not be allowed to buy property...some companies like to keep their employees in compounds (a number of villas or apartments within a boundary wall... with their own mini markets, swiming pools.. recreation facilities etc)... If this isnt the case, he will be given a rental allowance and he can choose to live in any apartment complex that fits his budget.
3. Women rights; Are women allowed to work and if yes, are there any restrictions? This is a general question, consider I'm talking about women in general e.g. from all over the world. Is there any positive/negative discrimination towards foreign women in KSA?
I dont like what sac said because it isnt true. You have to understand that whatever you hear in the news is about arab women and most of the time, problems they talk bout are not related to law of KSA, but problems with family members not allowing them to do things cuz of family honour.
the only part that is true is that women are not allowed to drive. If your friend ends up living in a compound, his wife will have no trouble getting around the city as they have their own buses and taxis which are absolutely safe... which women use to go do shopping, or work. If he doesnt live in a compound, he will havta get a driver.
I have been working for the past 2 years and have never ever been harassed by anyone... hell i was raised here and no one has ever said anything racist to me. So yes, women are indeed allowed to work. As for finding work, depends on what she wants to do.. cuz there may be limitations there, though not definate.
as for abaya .. yes.. all women do havta wear it when OUTSIDE.. once inside.. they can take it off.. yes even with men around them... as long as they are covered.. arm showing is allowed though )... i must say.. it depends on where ure friend moves.. Riyadh isnt as liberal as Jeddah so she may havta cover completely. ...
if you need to ask anything else.. i'll be happy to answer your questions :)...
if they are moving from a western country.. it may be somewhat of a cultural shock... but i know loads of families that absolutely love it here... something bout getting the best of both worlds (west and east).
:)
Anything else what could be useful to know is most welcome! :-)
. Renting is only allowed for expats, only saudis can buy property.