KAUST

[Kristoph]

To be honest, from looking at the pictures of the campus, and what you say about it being like an embassy. I don't think it'll be anywhere near as bad as I said.

I'm guessing the whole site is probably like a small town, so I doubt you'd even need to leave the place.

Plus with the looks of things, the level of security on the site is pretty high.

 

[Sarduk]

He was probably taken in by the wonderful, brand new facilities that the Saudi King poured money into.

 

[Kristoph]

Who wouldn't be though, I'm guessing nothing is left for you to pay, seems a lot of the expenses are covered. The quality of accomodation out there looks pretty good too. Plus if it has the reputation behind it for being a good uni, it should guarantee you most jobs in your field if you do well.

 

[rsatd]

You don't see this kind of job available at Oxford do you now

link

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since when are cookies are required to view a site...

 

[Albaba]

Sounds like a great place if your not into fun of any kind?

Women are not allowed to drive?! Sounds like a backward hell hole in the desert to me.

On the upside im sure its pretty warm most of the time

 

[rsatd]

women can even drive on campus

Prepare to be run over

 

[rjk]

saudi arabia episode of american dad - watch that and you will understand everything

 

[Kristoph]

since when are cookies are required to view a site...

It's not working for me now either.

The job was a weapons managment / security officer.

Reponsible for supply of munitions / weapons etc.

 

[rsatd]

That sounds like a cool job if it included weapons testing

 

[Tefal]

Women are not allowed to drive?! Sounds like a good safty measure to me!

 

[rsatd]

We should implement it in this country too! Maybe in the process we can magically find more oil and have cheaper petrol

 

[Alchemy]

It'll be very tough if you've never stayed in the Gulf for a long period. The heat is stifling, the girls are untouchable, religion is oppressive and the people are very intolerant etc. etc. I'm sure you'll have lots of stories to tell your kids though.

 

[Bipolar Kittens]

I wouldn't worry too much about it, it's probably not as bad as everyone is making it out to be.

I'm currently living in South Africa, before I came here I was told so many bad things about the country I was fully expecting to die as soon as I stepped off the plane, but the place is fine and I feel just as safe here as I do back home.

 

[Lagmeister]

Well they are shipping me off to Saudi some time this year for a big ceremony, all expenses paid to see the campus / building site. The campus itself is pretty much a giant town with golf courses / cinemas / shopping centres / etc... Plus its situated on the red sea and we get a marina, so pirate adventures \o/ With the bonus of me having to pay nothing and getting a monthly stipend of what looks to be $1500 a month atm

So if nothing else I am going to be learning to play golf and being a pirate of the yarrr variety.

 

[starfighter]

I wouldn't worry too much about it, it's probably not as bad as everyone is making it out to be.

I'm currently living in South Africa, before I came here I was told so many bad things about the country I was fully expecting to die as soon as I stepped off the plane, but the place is fine and I feel just as safe here as I do back home.

but he isn't going to South Africa. It is a totally different place and different reason to not want to go. there is no parallel to be drawn here.

You will get put in prison for a long time if you are found with drugs. That is 100% fact. while you might have been warned about a bit of shooting and racism it is not anywhere near as likely as these "laws" which are enforced.

 

[Energize]

I wouldn't dare step foot off campus if laws were like that! It would be like a prison for 2 years!

 

[A.N.Other]

Might not be the first place I'd choose, but that really appeals to me as a Biologist. Are you going as a post-grad? Good luck with it!

The diving looks spectacular too

 

[strudey]

Don't, under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES:

have sex
drink
do drugs
be gay
steal
engage in adultery
possess porn (the definition of porn is very wide. think ankles etc.)
take photographs of government property, palaces or locals
accidentally kill anyone
purposefully kill anyone
talk about religion
talk about politics

and you should be alright. Clean your shoes on the plane. More here. GL & HF!

 

[Lagmeister]

Might not be the first place I'd choose, but that really appeals to me as a Biologist. Are you going as a post-grad? Good luck with it!

The diving looks spectacular too

This is all post grad, there is no undergraduate stuff going on at KAUST, though they will completely fund your undergraduate degree (Fees paid, $500 per term for books, $2500 for a new laptop + monthly stipend which varies depending on where you live) as long as you get onto the scholarship program.

 

[Gilly]

On the upside im sure its pretty warm most of the time

Final nail in the coffin for me. No cold weather? No rain? No thanks.