Saudi in Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah.
In UAE in Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
In Bahrain & In Muscat
Each place was different in some sense and similar in some sense.
Experiences in Gulf depends a lot on what sort of people you are working with and also depends on your nationality.
Your pay scale will depend on your nationality too. (In most cases).
Sometimes you'll face racism too.
But all that depends on where you are.
In Saudi, Riyadh is a bit conservative, people are a bit reserved, but are great once they open up. Work wise, they're a bit lazy, if you want something done urgently, it has to come from the top, or high authority, things don't move on their own there. One on one meetings are a bit long as formalities are more like hellos and how are yous can last up to 15 mins. English is mostly only used in work place, and it's difficult to make clients understand complex concepts. If you have someone technical on your team who speaks Arabic, make them your friend. Management mostly will be from Saudi and they won't care to speak in English even if they know it. Same goes for any government office. Cost of living is a bit low compared to Dubai, Bahrain or Abu Dhabi. Prayers happen 5 times a day and no matter how urgent your work is, it'll be put on hold if the other guy goes for prayer, office timings are usually normal. Client expectations are usually impossible. Public transport is difficult to navigate, taxis can and will try to scam you into paying more, but after a while it'll be okay, you'll know your way around.
In Dammam and Jeddah, people are a bit relaxed, environment is more friendly compared to Riyadh. English is spoken in work places, but overall it's less compared to Riyadh.
In UAE, Sharjah is very similar to Riyadh, but here you'll get more English speaking public. And you'll mostly not be interacting with an Emirati, wheras in Saudi you're almost every day interacting with Saudis.
Dubai, is the happening place, you'll meet people from all nationality here, work is fast pa ced, it's lack luster, but perfect in terms of aesthetics. Work is expected to be perfect. You'll almost never need to speak Arabic, unless required as you will find English speaking crowd everywhere. Public transport is easy to navigate. Cost of living is highest in comparison to other cities...
Few key points that I'd like to highlight.
- Usually the pay is better compared to the home countries.
- Don't get into credit card debt if you work in UAE, credit cards are easy to get and bills will start pouring before you know it.
- Don't cut ties with your friends and family back at home, someday you'll have to go back.
- Not everyone is racist there, but some are, avoid them, almost never get into confronting them.
- Saudi people are nice, but keep things like mails, screenshots etc, get your changes and work change confirmation in writing. They can will change the statement.
- Learn badic Arabic, it will help you a lot.
- Don't, Ever, discuss politics in front of anyone, never in public, never in private, if you find yourself in a situation where politics is being discussed then remove yourself from that situation.
- Don't be disrespectful to their royalty, their faith, their culture.
- Enjoy the food, it's great there.
- Enjoy the winters, they last shortly, but are fun.
- Get Vitamin D tablets or make sure to have some Sun, you'll always be in AC so it's difficult.
- Try not to get used to the lifestyle, It's very luxurious in Gulf, you don't get similar lifestyle at home country.
- Learn to communicate your point via graphics, diagram, flowchart etc, for people who have English knowledge but don't get complex issue will get clarity in this manner.
- Visit your country atleast once in a year, otherwise you'll not be in touch.
So all in all, it's difficult initially, but they are kind and welcoming people once you get to know them.
UAE is safe as well, but you'll spend more in UAE compared to Saudi.
