As I prepare for my next trip abroad – CHINA! I’ve had a lot of time to reminisce over all the countries I’ve already been to. I’m celebrating 30 countries seen so far, but to clarify – I’m counting my home country, Cayman Islands (technically not a country), and the Netherlands. I spent one nightContinue reading “The 30 Countries I’ve seen so far!”
Tag Archives: Saudi Arabia
Day 35: I miss my expat life, but I’m glad I’m home!
Reminiscing this evening and looking back on my travels seems like forever ago. It’s hard to believe I was ever overseas. I’ve been in touch with my friends abroad and it sounds like everyone’s doing okay. What a scary time to be in another country. That being said, I always felt safer living in SaudiContinue reading “Day 35: I miss my expat life, but I’m glad I’m home!”
Living in Saudi Arabia: Expectations vs Reality
I finished my third year in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia a few years ago and it was quite a trip. I started out at a very stressful vocational school and finished at a much nicer, well-established university. I had a lot of preconceived ideas about what my time in Saudi Arabia would beContinue reading “Living in Saudi Arabia: Expectations vs Reality”
My First Arab Wedding
Since arriving in the Middle East it’s been a goal of mine to go to an Arab wedding. I had heard they’re huge, exciting, and go on all night. I finally got my opportunity when a friend from Yemen mentioned a friend of a friend of his sister’s friend was having a wedding. I askedContinue reading “My First Arab Wedding”
How I Saved Hundreds by Getting Dental Work Abroad
When I started my teaching job in Saudi Arabia, one of the first things I did was go to the dentist. I knew I had at least one cavity, but it never occurred to me that I’d have seven. I was horrified when the dentist told me. He asked me why I hadn’t gotten themContinue reading “How I Saved Hundreds by Getting Dental Work Abroad”
Getting Eye Surgery in the Middle East
I had wanted to get eye surgery for years, but I told myself to pay off debts first and really do my research. So after paying off the student loans and credit card debt, I decided now was the time to get my vision corrected. I thought I could save some money getting the surgeryContinue reading “Getting Eye Surgery in the Middle East”
Gardening in the Middle East
I love the expat life. You meet a lot of interesting people and you get to go to a lot of interesting places, but there are things back home I miss. I miss my independence. I miss seasons. And I especially miss gardening. I’m from the Midwest and gardening was a big part of myContinue reading “Gardening in the Middle East”
Red flags to watch out for when applying to teach abroad
When I decided to come teach English in Saudi Arabia for a year I was anticipating a lot of culture shock. Things are very different here: It’s illegal for women to drive. (at least it was when I was there!!!) I’m often stared at everywhere I go even when I’m wearing a hijab and abaaya.Continue reading “Red flags to watch out for when applying to teach abroad”
Bahrain: The Saudi Playground
Every Thursday afternoon the causeway connecting Bahrain to Saudi Arabia is filled with gridlocked vehicles anxiously making their way to freedom. They’ll wait for 2 to 4 hours, sometimes more depending on how busy the border is, but even just a day or two of freedom makes the trip worth it. And it’s not justContinue reading “Bahrain: The Saudi Playground”
Education Reform Combats Terrorism in Saudi Arabia
As a teacher recently living in Saudi Arabia, it’s important to me to understand the complex education system and the reasons why I’ve been provided with such a good job here. After some research this is just some of the information I’ve come across. On September 11th, 2001, nineteen men affiliated with Al-Qaeda hijacked fourContinue reading “Education Reform Combats Terrorism in Saudi Arabia”