Congratulations on taking your first steps to a life changing experience working in !

We hope this guide can help you understand more about what living and working in Saudi Arabia is like.

Click to jump to:

• Who we are

• Unaizah Female College

• Living in Al-Qassim

• Close by

• Dress Code • College Hours

• Travel

• The Students • Accommodation

• Ramadan

• Prayer • Visa Requirements

• Our top tips

• Contract Information • Useful links and further reading

A little bit about us! Protocol Protocol have been the leading full-service recruitment consultancy in the , skills, training and public sectors for over 20 years.

Our process is built on great people Our passionate, helpful and friendly team provide an unparalleled level of sector expertise delivered with professionalism and integrity. Working with us you can expect a seamless, enjoyable process, with support and advice at every step.

Hertfordshire Colleges Hertfordshire London Colleges is a leading group, from the UK, specialising in college training and education that ensures all of its programmes are delivered in the English language.

Offering the best vocational teaching and learning using the latest technology and the most modern teaching strategies. Their qualifications include the Cambridge English language PET exam, and all vocational education and training will meet the Saudi Skills Standards requirements.

With a wide range of experience from around the globe, the management team brings the best and most professional understanding of vocational and English education to Qassim.

Currently operating two colleges - 1 female college (Unaizah Female College) and 1 male college ( Male College).

About Unaizah Female College

Al Qassim Female College – Based in Unaizah, Al-Qassim, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The college is an employer of choice within Saudi Colleges, with a low staff turnover. Staff are treated well, and staff enjoy the area of Unaizah and received good pay and conditions.

Living in Al-Qassim ʿUnaizah) or officially The Governorate of Unaizah'(also spelled Onaizah, Onizah, or عنيزة :) Muḥāfiẓat ʿUnaizah) is a Saudi Arabian city in the Al Qassim Province. It محافظة عنيزة :Unayzah; Arabic lies south of the province capital Buraydah and north of , the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is the second largest city in Al-Qassim Province with a population of 163,729 (2010 census).

The people of Unaizah are well known for their hospitality and acceptance for people from other races and religions.

Things to do in Unaizah The tourist attractions in Unaizah range from festivals to private meetings in family ranches. Some of the most notable venues in which festivals are held are the following:

• Onaizah Mall

• Othaim Mall

• Al Bassam Mansion, a traditional house and a private museum • Al Hajeb Parks

• Al Hamdan House, a traditional house and a private museum

• Al Subbayyel Grotto • Asia Resort and Park

• Dream Land, the largest theme park in Al Qassim Province and as reportedly the Central Region

• Judaida Avenue • King Fahd Cultural Center

• The Roman amphitheater

The malls have local stores as well as international brands – some you may recognise including:

• M.A.C

• Bath & Body Works

• H&M • Next

• Wallis

• Nike • Krispy Kreme

• Nine West

• Levi’s • Swatch

What’s close by? Just 20 minutes away is Al-Qassim International Airport, which offers flights to:

Destinations Information Bahrain Bahrain is an island country in the . The sovereign state comprises a small archipelago centred around Bahrain Island, situated between the peninsula and the north eastern coast of Saudi Arabia, to which it is connected by the 25-kilometre King Fahd Causeway. Cairo Cairo, Egypt’s sprawling capital, is set on the Nile River. At its heart is Tahrir Square and the vast Egyptian Museum, a trove of antiquities including royal mummies and gilded King Tutankhamun artefacts. Nearby, Giza is the site of the iconic pyramids and Great Sphinx, dating to the 26th century BC. Dammam, on the Arabian Gulf, is the capital city of Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province. Its tree-lined corniche walkway is known for King Abdullah Park’s walkways and the man-made Coral Island. Doha Doha is a city oozing confidence and style, and it's as much ease with its modern shopping malls as it is with its heritage and traditional souqs. Dubai Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates known for luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture and a lively nightlife scene. Jeddah, a Saudi Arabian port city on the Red Sea, is a modern commercial hub. Resort , beaches and outdoor sculptures line the Corniche, a seafront promenade anchored by the iconic King Fahd’s Fountain. The city’s Al-Balad historic district dates to the 7th century and retains traditional homes built from coral. Istanbul Istanbul is a major city in Turkey that straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait. Its Old City reflects cultural influences of the many empires that once ruled here. In the Sultanahmet district, the open-air, Roman-era Hippodrome was for centuries the site of chariot races, and Egyptian obelisks also remain. Riyadh Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital and main financial hub, is on a desert plateau in the country’s centre. Sharjah Sharjah is a United Arab Emirates city on the Arabian Gulf. Traditionally more conservative than its southern neighbour, Dubai, Sharjah is widely considered the nation’s cultural capital. Sharm el- Sharm el-Sheikh is an Egyptian resort town between the desert of the Sinai Peninsula and the Red Sea. It's known for its sheltered sandy beaches, clear waters and coral reefs.

Dress Code The Saudi Arabian culture requires that everyone – both male and female - dresses in a modest manner while out and about.

Saudi women are very passionate about fashion and many wear elaborate, glamourous outfits. The Saudi dress code for women is to wear conservative, loose-fitting clothes as well as a full-length cloak known as an Abaya over your clothes while in public. Non-Saudi national women are not required to cover their hair but must carry a headscarf (hijab) with them, although this is dependent on the city culture.

The rules at work within the college are slightly different, because you will be in a female-only environment. However, you will be expected to wear at least a knee-length skirt and a top which reaches to at least your elbows and is not low-cut.

Photos via National Geographic

College hours The college hours are 8:00am - 3:30pm with an average of 27 hours teaching over a 37.5 hour week. Marking and preparation may need to take place in your own time if required, as in the UK. The Saudi Arabia working week runs Sunday to Thursday. The academic year at the college is 1st September 2019 - 11th June 2020. Travel The college provides free travel to and from the college for all teaching staff. Please note, it is a cultural tradition that women travel with a male guardian. The Students The students are aged 18-24, and for many this is their first experience in formal education, so they may need to be taught basic skills such as how best to conduct themselves in the classroom. In this respect, the college are looking for teaching staff that can also provide support and understanding alongside great teaching.

Ideal candidates will be passionate about being a role model for the students and as such can make a real impact to their lives. This will make this role a very rewarding one!

A typical Student’s College Journey In their first year, will be focussed on developing the students English Language and IT skills. This will be within a vocational context and will provide a Cambridge PET English language Certificate, recognized by Cambridge University in the UK.

In the second year, students choose to study vocational qualifications from a range of sectors. This will develop employability skills informed by employer’s needs. English and IT skills will continue to be developed in the context of the work environment.

Year three, will continue to concentrate on their chosen vocational route into employment with the opportunity of developing more advanced levels of skills that employers’ value. Living Arrangements The accommodation is provided for free by the college. As with everything in Saudi, the accommodation is segregated by sex so you will be living with other female teaching staff. Ramadan You may have heard of Ramadan – a well-known international event in , which is focussed around prayer, fasting, giving to charity and religious devotion. It usually occurs annually from early June to early July.

Even if you are not Muslim, you will be expected to respect the custom of Ramadan while working in Saudi Arabia, which includes not eating or drinking in public places. This is taken very seriously in the

country. However, while in college, you will be provided with a private area to eat and drink during this time. Prayer All public areas are closed 5 times a day for 40 minutes, as it is the custom to pray at certain times of the day. You will need to plan your trips to public places and shops around this, as they will close during these times – our colleagues already working in Saudi Arabia say this is very easy to get used to, as long as you plan ahead. Key Points Penalties for the possession of, or trade in alcohol are severe in Saudi Arabia, both result in prison sentences. Do not arrive in Saudi Arabia under the influence of alcohol. Importing od pork products is forbidden. If you bring medication with you, carry a doctor’s prescription. Visa Requirements Please note - you will need at least 6 months from your return date on your passport to travel.

The college will arrange your visa for you, usually a Work Visit Visa.

Dependent on the visa you are issued, you may need to visit Dubai or Bahrain every 30 or 90 days to ensure validity. Our top tips! Research the country’s customs, culture, religion, languages and laws. Being well prepared and able to embrace cross-cultural diversity will make integration into your new life easier and help you become a better teacher abroad.

Talk to fellow teachers who have worked in Saudi. They should give you honest, first-hand knowledge which will help prepare you for your forthcoming experience. The team at Protocol can also talk to you and put you in touch with others.

Accept that you will need to be independent. Plan how you will meet locals and fellow teachers to help integrate you into your new life. Embrace the new culture - you are living in the country for a year, not just a visitor!

Don’t forget – pork products, alcohol, music from outside Saudi are forbidden. But if you simply can’t live without a glass of wine on a Friday evening – Bahrain is not far away!

Contract Information • Tax free salary of 16,625SAR per month - equivalent of 3,500 per month on present exchange rates.

• 30 days holiday plus Saudi National holidays and Eid

• Return flight for the contract included • 475SAR monthly flight allowance for a mid-year holiday

• Hertvec to arrange the visa – usually a work visit visa – dependent on visa term you may need to exit and return to the country on a weekend (either every 4 weeks or every 3 months) return flights to Dubai and Bahrain will be included – candidates can choose to stay overnight but would have to cover the and associated travel at their own cost.

• Contract initially for 1 academic year, however, can be extended • EOSB – End of service benefit – half a month salary for every year - if contract duration completed.

• Medical Insurance including dental cover included – a small contribution to the costs of appointments usually around 10% is to be covered by the candidate

• Working days are Sunday to Thursday – 37.5 hours per week • 90-day probation period

Useful links Saudi Arabia on Lonely Planet

UK Government Saudi Arabia Travel Advice

UK Government Guidance on Living in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia on Wikitravel

National Geographic Guide to Saudi Arabia

What it’s like to visit Saudi Arabia as a woman by The Independant

Saudi female dress code

Saudi Arabia Dress Code for Non-Saudi Nationals

Saudi National Holidays 2019