Expat Advice: Culture Shock in Sabya, Saudi Arabia

What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?

Sabya

Did you receive any cross-cultural training for your move abroad? If yes, was it before or after the move?

no

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Traveling Mailbox

Traveling Mailbox serves thousands of travelers, expats, digital nomads, businesses, individuals and others in over 47 Countries by scanning their postal mail so they can view it online anywhere in the world. They provide customer service 7 days a week so if you need assistance, it is just a phone call away. Traveling Mailbox works with Evernote, Bill.com and Dropbox. And, there are Traveling Mailbox apps available for iOS and Android devices.
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Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

If they speak another language in your new country, do you speak the language? If yes, did you learn the language before you moved or while abroad? If no, are you planning to learn the language?

yes

Were you worried or concerned about culture shock before you moved abroad?

very

How significant was the culture shock you experienced when you moved abroad?

humongous

Expats often talk about going through the "stages of culture shock." Examples include the honeymoon phase, the irritation-to-anger stage, the rejection of the culture stage, and the cultural adjustment phase. Do you feel like you went through these or any other stages as you settled into the new culture?

all but the cultural adjustment phase

What, if any, were some of the changes you noticed in yourself that might have been caused by culture shock? These might include things such as anger, depression, anxiety, increased eating or drinking, frustration, homesickness, etc.

depression, anxiety,homesickness,

What are some things you appreciate most about the new culture?

People are fine it is quite live is cheap, I live near the sea.

What are the most challenging aspects of the new culture?

Failure of communication with the locals, finding a job.

Did you "commit" any embarrassing or humorous cultural blunders? If you did and you'd like to share them, please do tell!

Always buying food that I later find it non edible to my taste.

Do you have any advice or thoughts about culture shock you would like to share?

Try to talk to some one of your nationality before moving over.