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Life in Al-Khobar
Situated in a quiet, residential part of the coastal town of Al Khobar, BISAK offers a safe and stimulating environment for its students. The building contains specialist rooms and laboratories for art and craft, pottery, design and technology, food technology, information and communications technology, languages, science, as well as 2 libraries and 2 multi-purpose halls. The school is fully computer-networked. A creche provides facilities for staff children under the age of three.
The town of Al Khobar merges with Dhahran and Dammam, and is situated on the eastern seaboard of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It enjoys a warm to very hot climate, with November to June particularly pleasant. July and August are usually very hot and humid.
Al Khobar is a pleasant town, cosmopolitan, colourful and interesting. From large, modern malls, to small local shopping streets, the town provides all that the expatriate needs in terms of everyday requirements. Visitors are always surprised at the rich variety of goods and foods available. It should be added that no pig or alcoholic products are permitted in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The majority of western expatriates live in well-appointed compounds. These usually feature swimming pools, recreation centres and a full team of maintenance personnel on hand. They often run bus services to points of shopping interest in town. Food prices can be high if imported, but local meats, fish and vegetables are good and competitively priced.
Many expatriate sporting facilities are available including tennis, soccer, rugby leagues, swimming, squash etc.
Entering the Kingdom
To enter or leave the kingdom, a visa is required in advance. Staff sponsored by the school are assisted by the school’s staff in Al Khobar and the UK. Advance planning is essential to ensure the timely provision of visas, although in cases of emergency it is possible to leave the Kingdom within hours.
Medical Facilities
There are several well-equipped and staffed medical centres, hospitals and dental facilities in Al- Khobar.
Driving
Women are not allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia. New cars are cheaper than in the UK. Saloon cars can be purchased for as little as £6000, and there is a robust and cheap secondhand market. Petrol is cheap – a typical full tank currently costs about £8!
Communications
The telephone service is good, and internet and e-mail facilities are widely available. Bills are received quarterly. The postal service is generally reliable, with letters taking about 5 days house-to-house to and from the UK, for example. There are two major English language daily newspapers – the “Arab News” and the “Saudi Gazette”. Overseas newspapers are available. Most compounds are well equipped with TV satellite access to BBC, CNN, Sky News etc.
