How difficult is it for an American Woman to work or study in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia?

Question

Hi, my name is Yasirah. I have a deep interest in learning more about Gulf Arabian culture (Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, etc). My interest is more cultural than political/religious. Im not studying anthropology...but i would like to know what opportunities would i have available to me to meet the women of the culture and learn about their everyday lives whether it is formal or informally. I was thinking i may have an opportunity if a study or work there. Can anybody tell me what to expect and what my situation would be like? I would also like to know if there are currently any student exchange/cultural exchange problems. I really need your help. Thankyou so much!

Answer 1

I know a Western woman who has worked in Saudi, she is a Muslim and from a non-Arab Muslim-majority country ethnically but she nevertheless had to live very much as an outsider there just like a non-Muslim Westerner. Her expereince is that the restrictions keep foreign workers and Saudis apart; the only time she really met any Saudis was when she went on Hajj.

You would have a much better prospect in the Gulf. For example, I used to be close friends with an American white Muslim woman who lived for some years in Kuwait and felt fully accepted in Kuwaiti female society. (Her husband was in oil, and she was a 'normal' at-home full time mother.)

From what I have heard, I think it is probably easier for you in Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and the UAE than in Kuwait (assuming of course that you learn to speak Gulf Arabic). You will still find that the indigenous and migrant populations lead largely separate lives, at any rate in UAE, I hear, but by choice not regulation so if you are "a journalist by temperament" and good at making "contacts" I bet you can step across those divides.

I wonder if the OIC (Organization of Islamic Conference) or some American Islamic cultural association could help you with information.

Answer 2

See the 'Family Guy' episode where they go there. ;-)
Seriously, The Saudis are pretty hard-core on the Muslim thing and women don't count for much there, non-Arab women might get a little consideration but will always be 'outsiders'.