At Expat Focus, we like to be on the lookout for resources around the web that could help prospective expats adjust to their new countries. Today, we’re taking a look at Saudi Arabia and some of the blogs that might be useful for expats there.The Blue Abaya
http://www.blueabaya.com/
Laylah is a Finnish expat who came to work in the Saudi Kingdom in 2008. Falling in love with the colorful culture and versatile landscape (refuting the common misconception of KSA as a pile of sand and rocks), she uses her blog as a vehicle to share the positives of working and living in this intriguing country. Shot through with personality, the posts are witty postulations on the cultural differences of her two home countries.
Reflections In The Sand
https://reflectionsinthesand.wordpress.com/
Written in the tone of a good friend sharing her daily life, Reflections In The Sand is a collection of expat experiences which are honest and exceedingly useful for anyone considering traveling or moving to the ‘magic kingdom.’ Musings on practicalities, the perks of being a woman in Saudi, the processes of dating and the changes she has noticed in her own demeanor whilst living in the desert cities.
Saudi Women Driving
http://saudiwomendriving.blogspot.co.uk/
Focusing particularly on women driving in KSA and the issues surrounding this contentious subject, this is a blog well worth reading whilst researching expatriate life. Sharing pertinent articles, updates to the laws and historic practices within the kingdom, Kay has now moved back to her native Maine, but these issues are very much at the forefront of her heart.
The Pink Tarha
http://www.thepinktarha.com/ksa/
Established in 2009, The Pink Tarha is more than just an average expat blog, it is a lifestyle guide to living in the capital city of the ‘Magic Kingdom’. Featuring foodie guides perfect for expats hoping for a taste of home, posts on specifically expat topics such as a guide to Ramadan, and often hosting guest posts from expats living in the country, this community is such a helpful resource for people moving to Riyadh.
Under The Abaya
https://undertheabaya.wordpress.com/
Sharing the raw emotion of life, Under The Abaya documents the American author’s move to Saudi Arabia and the adjustment to a new world, as well as the dramatic ups and downs of marriage to her Saudi husband. With posts both on the practical side of living in Riyadh such as visas, thoughts of some of the luxury restaurants and the reality of coping with grief in a different continent to home, this is a must read.
Winding My Way Through Life
http://windingmywaythroughlife.blogspot.co.uk/
Although the posts aren’t often being updated now, Winding My Way Through Life is a rich resource for expats looking to move to the Saudi Kingdom. It’s full of experience, personal tales and musings on the cultural twists of life in Jubail with her husband and three small children. For a prospective expat wanting to know the realities of life, this blog is an excellent place to start.
Smuug
http://www.smuug.com/
http://www.yasalamcooking.com/
After growing up in Southern America – East Tennessee to be quite exact – love lured the author of these blogs to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia all the way back in 2008. She shares stories alongside beautiful designs and delicious expat recipes that both make her feel at home and local cuisines that have helped her to settle into her new longterm home as an expat.
The Same Rainbow's End
http://thesamerainbowsend.com/
Passionately writing since she was 6 years old, The Same Rainbow’s End is the personal / lifestyle blog of the author who was born and raised in the Ozarks. Sharing the everyday adventures of her family and their pet dogs (one of whom who still lives back in America but Skypes on a regular basis), her posts are full of joy and her conversion to Islam in 2010 makes interesting reading.
The Odysseia
http://theodysseia.blogspot.co.uk/
The Odysseia is the personal journey of a New Zealand woman living in Riyadh – the city name derived from the Arabic for gardens (rowdah) – initially only intending to stay for a year but eventually living in Saudi Arabia for six. Written with an engaging tone, this expat blog is a fascinating chronicle of life far from her tropical homeland and the intrepid travelling she managed to fit in.
Kenya WriteNow – YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/
Recently having moved to Saudi Arabia from her adopted home of Korea, this Milwaukee local has been bitten by the nomadic life bug. Teaching English during the work week, she is vlogging her experiences in this Islamic country in the evenings. Discussing the differences in culture, being surprised at the similarities and sharing what she has learned so far, this is a channel well worth subscribing to for expats thinking of creating a new life.
We’re always on the lookout for more sites to feature – if you run a blog about living in Saudi Arabia, leave us a link in the comments and we’ll take a look!