davy_fulla Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 I think there's a few people on here who are or have worked abroad. I'm just wondering how it's worked for you - especially if you have family at home. At the moment I'm in a job I don't like but have been offered an interview next week for a job in Saudi fo 6 months. My current job is secure and salaried so I have a bit peace of mind but my heart just isn't in it. An mate from my previous job told me about this job in Saudi and so I've enquired and have been invited down for interview. I've mentioned it in passing to the missus and she isn't happy (we've got a 15month old son as well) but I can earn in Saudi in 6months what it would take me over a year to arn here. I also think the experience would stand me in good stead to get another job once I returned here. It would be difficult but it could set us up for life and I know I'd be much happier with the job itself. Dunno wht to do Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minhosa Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 Mate, I lived in Saudi (Jubail, Eastern Province) for about a year. Any questions you can pm me or post here. Personnally, I loved working abroad and will do it again very soon. It's brilliant for personal development as well as professional and you're getting paid to experience a different culture and, in Saudi especially a new world. In normal circumstances, I'd say go for it but with you having a little one, you will find it incredibly tough. I didn't have my son when I went out there and, I wouldn't leave him and the wife to go abroad again - I would take them wherever I end up. Having said that, if it's for 6 months you'll get home at least once, so you need to decide if it's for the greater good or not. The expat Saudi lifestyle is full of divorcee's and contractors chasing the next big job but never actually reaching the end game. It's an attractive lifestyle for single guys, less so if you're committed to your family. If you can get in and out and make good money then it's worth looking at further. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TêteDeMaure Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 I'd like to know how to at least get the chance to work abroad. I'd snap limbs to get a job somewhere else in europe. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoveItIfWeBeatU Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 I'd like to know how to at least get the chance to work abroad. I'd snap limbs to get a job somewhere else in europe. Well I assume you are a UK citizen so like any other EU citizen you are free to get a job in another EU member country. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
davy_fulla Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 I'd like to know how to at least get the chance to work abroad. I'd snap limbs to get a job somewhere else in europe. My background is in telecoms with BT. Firstly as an engineer then as a network planner. After I finished my degree last year I was desparate to get into management but there was nowt going at BT so moved into the harsh world of retail. This job in Saudi is with a company called Nova Incepta. They've won a massive contract with Saudi Telecom to provide fibre optic to the home in Saudi and basically my experience with BT is what they're looking for. I've had a word with the missus tonight and she is being spot on about it coz she realises I'm just not enjoying work atm. 6 months isn't a lifetime and the money means I can have few months off to chill and find another job when I get back I suppose. It's risk but I think I can manage it. It'll be easier seeing as I'd be working with my mate as well. Minhosa I appreciate the offer and will probably be bombarding you with questions over the next few days but I'm off to bed now after another hellish day at work. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
McCormick Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 I think there's a few people on here who are or have worked abroad. I'm just wondering how it's worked for you - especially if you have family at home. At the moment I'm in a job I don't like but have been offered an interview next week for a job in Saudi fo 6 months. My current job is secure and salaried so I have a bit peace of mind but my heart just isn't in it. An mate from my previous job told me about this job in Saudi and so I've enquired and have been invited down for interview. I've mentioned it in passing to the missus and she isn't happy (we've got a 15month old son as well) but I can earn in Saudi in 6months what it would take me over a year to arn here. I also think the experience would stand me in good stead to get another job once I returned here. It would be difficult but it could set us up for life and I know I'd be much happier with the job itself. Dunno wht to do I live and work in Saudia arabia (as well as Dubai) and believe me mate its a hundred per cent worth it. Just as long as you're in Jeddah you'll have a whale of a time, trust me it's an easy life with all the luxuries you can ask for. By Saudi law they have to provide you with accommodation (by which you can stay in a Western compound with surrounded by expatriates) and everything is tax-free. PM me if you need any more info, as a large part of my job is to provide information to potential employees of mine from the UK. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
McCormick Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 Funny you should mention that as well, seeing as I've got a flight in the morning going to back Saudi (just had a month off/ recruitment trip in England). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliMag Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 I'd like to know how to at least get the chance to work abroad. I'd snap limbs to get a job somewhere else in europe. No excuses for you TM - you are a citizen of the EU and a fluent French speaker... there are many *many* options for you out there. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robster Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 Had a similar thing happen to me. I got the chance of a job this week, completely out of the blue, and its a job that I really would love to do However, the main part of the job may involve a fair bit of travelling around the UK (away from home for maybe 3/4/5 days at a time). Plus, at the outset, they said I would most likely be sent to Sydney for intensive training.. FOR 1 MONTH. I have never had an opportunity like this in my life. I am never usually so fortunate. Fuck I wanted to snap their hands off but my wife instantly said she would hate that and didnt want me to go for it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delima Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 f*** I wanted to snap their hands off but my wife instantly said she would hate that and didnt want me to go for it. Your wife would rightly hate that. Working abroad would broaden up your horizon infinitely - and the horizon inlcudes girls. Off course you could also come to realise that your wife is the best. In the ideal world you should be working abroad before you are tied down with family and wifey. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoveItIfWeBeatU Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 I knew a guy who went to work in Saudi a few years ago. He'd only been there a week and there was a bomb attack on the Westerner's compound he was living in. A few people died. Watch 'The Kingdom' before you go. The money's great but personally I'd never want to go anywhere where some of the locals would like to cut my head off on TV. I used to work with a lot of IT contractors. The majority of them were divorced (at least once), spent their money on gambling (or drugs for the younger ones), drink a lot, went to strip clubs and their only friends were other contractors. They spent as much time as they possibly could at work (not necessarily working but just being there so they could charge the hours). Some of that may sound fun to some of you but it didn't seem to be a healthy, sustainable lifestyle. It was also a bit sad to see men in their late 40s and 50s acting like they were in their teens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LooneyToonArmy Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 I've been working abroad the last 3 years and haven't looked back. Frankly I was quite bored of same old montonous life in the UK. Love just about every minute of living abroad, new culture, meet people from all around the world (loads of geordies abroad also), better weather and learning the language along the way. I do miss going to the match but I do get to watch more footie over here (albeit on TV) than I ever did back home. I think if I didn't try the experience I would have wondered about it my whole life.....going abroad for me was a new brainer as a single bloke too......but as you've got a missus and a young kid to think about it makes the decision more difficult. Personally if I had a family to think about I would take them with me but again that's not easy as your g/f/wife might hate living away from the UK. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TêteDeMaure Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 I'd like to know how to at least get the chance to work abroad. I'd snap limbs to get a job somewhere else in europe. No excuses for you TM - you are a citizen of the EU and a fluent French speaker... there are many *many* options for you out there. I've searched long and hard, and zilch. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 You'd be stupid not to do it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaizero Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 You'd be stupid not to do it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belfast Boy Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 Sounds like a good oppurtunity but make sure you think it through. I have worked abroad (offshore for 3 month spells) and also away from home but still within the UK and Ireland for the last 12 years. All I want to do now is get a 'normal job' and be home with my family. 6 months is a long time and it would put a lot of pressure on your wife. You have a wee 'un right? If so she will be relying heavily on family or else she will be effectively house bound every evening. Also, you say in 6 months you'll earn more than you do in a year now. But then you say afterwards you'll have a few months off. That sounds like it could soon turn into close to a year, for not much more money. I don't want to sound too negative about it but its not so easy getting a job these days if things don't turn out as you'd hoped. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest toonlass Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 People have mentioned here what your wife wants. Well what do you want mate? It sounds like an opportunity that you would love to take. Its six months not forever. Would you feel a wee bit resentful if you didnt take up the job and were still stuck in your current one? Your wife probably doesnt want you to go away but if you could come back in 6 months and havd a lovely holiday away would it not be worth it? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
80 Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 People have mentioned here what your wife wants. Well what do you want mate? It sounds like an opportunity that you would love to take. Its six months not forever. Would you feel a wee bit resentful if you didnt take up the job and were still stuck in your current one? Your wife probably doesnt want you to go away but if you could come back in 6 months and havd a lovely holiday away would it not be worth it? With all due respect, that's crap advice. You don't just go 'on holiday' from your wife and child for a period close to half that child's life (some of the most significant months in its life, too). When she married him, I don't imagine she was expecting him to up and fuck off to a never never land of alcoholic divorcees for a while (not saying you're actually meaning to do that, davy), and if it were a question of one desire versus the other, surely the conservative one, where you stick together as a family and don't see her left high and dry as Belfast described is the one that's got to win through. Obviously, you (davy, I mean) need to be looking for some kind of consensus with her whatever it is you do, if only to make sure your relationship stays healthy. I hear you say she's being really good about your feelings regarding things, so I take it you've both got sense. It might well be that this is a big and worthwhile opportunity that could set you all up. If so, first and foremost I'd suggest you try and find out more about the possibility of you all going out together - that might get the best result all round. If you really thought this job could be that significant for you all, she might even come around to you going away, but if she doesn't, you'd be taking a big risk. One other thing, as Belfast says, don't waste your gains when you get back with some kind of respite (in other words, unemployment) - capitalise on your time there (along with the experience), and use the money for your family. Particularly in these times, its risky to put in a half-arsed effort trying to find a job. Try picking up the local lingo if and when you're there, too - could come in handy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest toonlass Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 you read me wrong. I meant he works away, comes back with 12 months money made in 6, and THEN Davy Fuller and his missus have a lovely holiday away. To put your own dreams on hold to make someone else happy will only make you unhappy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
macphisto Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 Worked abroad myself and it was the best thing I ever did, in fact I'm looking to go overseas again at some point. As people have mentioned though it is the life for a single bloke unless you're going to move your wife over there. Personally I wouldn't go six months with out seeing my wife (if I had one!!) unless I was going to make enough money to set up my own business, buy a house or something like that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
80 Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 you read me wrong. I meant he works away, comes back with 12 months money made in 6, and THEN Davy Fuller and his missus have a lovely holiday away. To put your own dreams on hold to make someone else happy will only make you unhappy. Re: First bit, right, got you - read 'havd' as 'had'. Re: Second bit - unless you're married, surely. God knows, spouses can be first class at making you miserable if you've done likewise, just for starters. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest toonlass Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 yeah, well I was married for ten years so I know exactly what its like. I put my ambitions on hold for him, and ended up feeling angry at him for it. Plus he had chances to better himself in his job and didnt then took it out on me. Even though you are married you are still a person in yourself. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now