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Living and Teaching English in Saudi Arabia - Habits, Customs & Curiosities

Saudi Arabia is a very popular destination for teaching English as a foreign language as it offers some of the highest salaries and most extensive benefit packages to be found anywhere in the world.

A high level of qualifications and teaching experience is usually required to secure a position, but if you meet the criteria you should find you can live very comfortably during your stay.

If this sounds like the right destination for you, take a look at these guides for more information.

You will find some interesting facts, the lowdown on the country’s cuisine, and a guide to the holy city of Mecca.

If you are considering joining the large number of foreign teachers working in Saudi Arabia, take a look at these interesting facts about the country as you might learn some things that you didn’t already know. Equally staggering is the fact that nearly half the population is under 24 years old, another reason why teaching jobs are so numerous in schools, colleges and universities.

The staggering fact that 80% of the local workforce comes from other countries is just one reason why there are so many English teaching jobs available across the nation. Saudi Arabia’s rapid development in recent years is mainly thanks to its vast oil reserves which have funded high quality education and health services for its citizens and other nationals living and working there.

Although the cuisine of Saudi Arabia is similar to many of its Middle Eastern neighbors, it has also been influenced by several other cuisines, such as African, Indian, Persian, and Turkish. Two other popular dishes are shawarma and falafel which have both become firm favorites as takeaway food in many countries round the world. These mouthwatering snacks are often served with tea or coffee and can contain a variety of fillings, including nuts and dried fruit.

One meal you are sure to come across on a regular basis is kapsa which is considered to be the national dish. As well as these savory favorites, visitors to Saudi Arabia can also look forward to some sweet treats, such as maamul.

As the birthplace of Muhammad, Mecca is the holiest city in the Islamic religion. At the heart of the pilgrimage is the Grand Mosque which can accommodate up to an astonishing one million worshipers at any one time. It is worth noting that non-Muslims are strictly forbidden from entering the city at any time and these rules are vigorously enforced.

For several days every year the population of the city more than triples as huge numbers of foreign and local Muslims make the pilgrimage known as the Hajj. Although prayer is the main purpose of the pilgrimage, many visitors also find time to do a little shopping as there are a number of traditional bazaars and modern shopping malls to explore.