Question

You have received an unbelievable job offer to relocate to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. You are currently a VP of Purchasing for a major US corporation, and financially it is something difficult to turn down. Your husband/partner has agreed to relocate with you. You also have two children: a girl who is 8, and a boy who is 2.

As an “expat” moving to Saudi Arabia, what are the practical challenges (i.e. you are not an adventurous person), you will face in a new culture? What are the personal challenges? What are the business challenges you will need to be prepared for?

Answer 1

Practical challenges, in a new culture are as follows:

1. The different language and value system that are completely different to what is in the USA.

2. Weather conditions, surroundings and the societies that will be different.

3. Communication preferences in the Saudi Arabia will also be a challenge.

4. Family values that are more in Saudi Arabia, where collectivism is preferred.

5. Kids finding it difficult to adapt to the schools and its curriculum

At a personal level, the challenges will start with working in the male dominated society where all the decisions are taken by men. It will create a difficult situation for the expat moving to the Saudi Arabia. Besides, language and cultural problems will have its own challenges at the personal level.

At professional level, the organizational  culture in Saudi Arabia will be a challenge where men dominate the offices and take decisions. It will be difficult to implement ideas and get people into work as people in Saudi Arabia are not habituated to face instruction from a female boss. Besides, organizational culture in Saudi Arabia is more inclined to the collective work, rather individualism preferred in the USA. So, it will pose a challenge at work.