One year, six months in Riyadh and what a time it has been. It has been a journey that has given highs and lows in equal measure. And as I transition to Dubai, I reflect on my time that has been…
Arrival and First Impressions
First sight in Riyadh was the large, brown desert expanse that is Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. After that, Riyadh was impressive with its infrastructure, luxury and wealth, friendly people and many more elements that fit together to make Saudi Arabia a rapidly developing country. Hotel life made the first few weeks an easy transition to life in Riyadh, with most things accessible except for cash, which required some effort to acquire (YouTube: My first 24 hours in Saudi Arabia; Relocating to the Middle East with Efficio).
Efficio offices overlooking the As Sahafah area
Cultural Experiences and Daily Life
Interactions with locals and Saudi culture initially came through Efficio. However, as my international colleagues and I developed a routine of life in Riyadh, we became more integrated with Saudi culture. This manifested through work socials, desert adventures, and day-to-day interactions which provided learnings moments on Saudi history, culture, food, etc
Camel riding at the Red Sand Dunes
As time progressed, my Duolingo Arabic lessons instilled in me the confidence to get conversational, especially with my Uber and Bolt trips where I always start my journeys with “Salam Alaykum”. While not yet conversational, I’m glad to say I’m still keeping up with Arabic lessons.
Experiences and Adventures in Riyadh
Riyadh has ample opportunities for exploration and adventure, be it urban, rural or outdoor – catering to many different interests and hobbies. I enjoyed a mix of the three, but I mostly preferred to be a homebody. But when I did venture outside, it was highly enjoyable – from discovering rooftop gardens such as Huqqa Riyadh to Edge of the World outings that gave a flavour of desert and hiking expeditions. I’ve also enjoyed quad biking as part of the Red Sand Dunes experience:
I occasionally felt adventurous beyond Riyadh and visited AlUla through project work, Jeddah where the Formula1 racing occurs (Jeddah blogs: Exploring Jeddah; F1 blog), and Dubai which is always a good time (Dubai blogs: Birthday vibes; Project work).
I did miss some opportunities to fully immerse myself in the Riyadh/Saudi experience. However, as I’m still in the region there’ll be more chances for exploration, Inshallah.
Experience in Riyadh and the Middle East
One of my favourite things in exploring Riyadh was the architecture that was on display. Saudi infrastructure found a balance between being functional and decorative, aided by the innovative facade architecture.
KAFD Conference Center
One key experience in Saudi and the Middle East is the people, specifically how welcoming and generous they are. I was fortunate to develop strong friendships with many of my Saudi, Egyptian, Lebanese and Moroccan colleagues, which deepened my understanding of Saudi Arabia and the North Africa and Middle East regions. Most importantly, these friendships created stability and familiarity that grounded me with the purpose to build a life in an otherwise unfamiliar region. Special mentions to Abdullah, Ali, Alwaleed, Karim A, Karim J, Youri, and Zarie.
Reflections and Farewell
As my reflections come to a close, there’s so much that has changed in one year and six months. From stepping foot into an unknown territory to sharing specific details on moments and experiences in the region. It has been hugely rewarding for both my professional and personal lives (Career blogs: Consultant’s guide; Resilient professional). However such success has come at a steep cost – being away from my friends and family, the daily activation required to stay in touch, etc
Would I do it all over again? Without hesitation, yes! Hence why my next stop is Dubai. I hope my initial lessons and experiences of the Middle East will make this upcoming phase of my career just as rewarding.
One thing for sure, I’ll miss the peace and stability of Riyadh.
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