February 2012: February Funnies
To help get you through the winter doldrums, here are a few items to make you laugh. (Read More)
December 2011/January 2012: Highlights of the Year
As the old year ends and and the new year begins, Helen gives a summary of 2011, and a look at 2012. (Read More)
November 2011: Some Common, Practical FAQs About Qatar
As we post more vacancies in Qatar, Helen thought she would answer some of the more practical/common questions. (Read More)
October 2011: Women's Main FAQs About Saudi Arabia
Are you a woman thinking about relocating to Saudi Arabia? Read this FAQ containing the questions most often asked by women considering a move to the Kingdom. (Read More)
September 2011: Getting Personal - Revisited
This is for those whom we have asked, or will ask, some extremely personal questions ...
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Letter from Helen: August 2011
Ramadan, Part 2
This year, the holy month of Ramadan occurs in August. It is a solemn month, during which Muslims do not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset, and are expected to contemplate their spiritual being.
Can you imagine how difficult it might be to avoid food and drink during daylight hours, particulary when the temperatures soar?
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July 2011: I am Helen, Hear Me Tweet!
I have decided that my company should join the Twitter crowd. Frankly, I was resisting this until David, our technology advisor, told me that it was an opportunity for me to broadcast my frequent and freely expressed personal opinions. How could I refuse?
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My First Year in Riyadh
Dawn Leslie relocated to the King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre a year ago in 2010, and has written about her last year. (Read More)
April 2011: My Latest Visit to the Middle East
Having written last month about her first visit to the Middle East 30 years ago, Helen discusses her latest visit in February 2011. (Read More)
February/March 2011: My First Time in Saudi Arabia
As Helen prepares for another visit to Saudi Arabia, she remembers her first experience in the Kingdom more than 30 years ago. (Read More)
December 2010/January 2011: My Personal "Hajj"
Both Muslims and Christians have been undertaking pilgrimages for more than 1,000 years. Now I have been a pilgrim, too. (Read More)
Oct/Nov 2010: Standard Benefit Packages
In addition to tax-free income and adventure, one of the draws of working in Saudi Arabia is the benefit package. (Read More)
September 2010: Show Me the Money
Understandably, the most commonly asked questions are about salary ... (Read More)
August 2010: Ramadan
A look at Ramadan, and what people working in Saudi Arabia can expect during this holy month. Learn more.
July 2010: Abu Dhabi -- There's No Sex in this City
There has been a good deal of buzz around the May 28 release of Sex in the City 2. Confessing I have never watched one of these movies or programs, Audra Fediurek volunteered to write this month’s letter.
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June 2010: Debunking Myths
A look at some of the misconceptions people have about Saudi Arabia.
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April/May 2010: Meet HZA!
We always ask you questions about yourself, so here's a little bit about us.
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March 2010: Application Ins & Outs
A look at some factors that will prevent -- at least temporarily -- your application from being approved.
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February 2010: What is it Like to Live in Saudi Arabia?
So what is it like to live in Saudi Arabia?
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December 2009: Happy Holidays!
December 2009 -- Happy Holidays!
If you live in the Western, predominantly Christian, world, the word “December” likely evokes happy images of parties, food, childhood, church bells, home, and laughter. As the holiday season approaches, the Christmas spirit can be felt throughout our home city of Toronto, and our office is no exception. So, if you call our office during December, don’t be surprised to hear background chatter which is louder than usual.
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November 2009: Medication
"Are you on any medications ... ?" In my summer article "Getting Personal," I introduced some of the delicate questions that we have to ask our candidates (usually on the very first phone call) ...
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October 2009: What is your religion?
So you ask: Why do I have to declare a religion on my employment and visa applications?
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Sept 2009: The Complex Issue of Single-Status
"Single-status" -- it's one of the most often asked about issues when people are considering positions in the Middle East.
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July/August 2009: Getting Personal
Getting Personal
This is for those whom we have asked, or will ask, some extremely personal questions ...
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June 2009: So, You Call Yourself a Traveller
So, You Call Yourself a Traveller
This is for those nurses, therapists, and technologists who call themselves “travellers.”
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May 2009: Recruitment Companies
Recruitment Companies
Although many hospitals post their vacancies online, if you are applying for a position in a foreign country, there are many obvious advantages to working with a recruiter.
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April 2009: Roommates
Roommates: Here and in Saudi Arabia
You say you don’t want a roommate? Your children have finally left home, your husband left 10 years ago, and you no longer want to be someone’s disciplinarian, therapist, or housekeeper. I understand. I can tell my share of stories (and I have heard even more stories) about intolerable roommates.
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March 2009: You Asked Me...
You Asked Me...
Each New year’s, we make resolutions about self-discipline and self-improvement. But some of us also think about making more dramatic changes, such as changing our residence, changing a relationship, or changing our job. So each year, during January, February, and March, we receive an exceptionally high number of inquiries about our positions in the Arabian Peninsula.
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January/February 2009: Down by the Red Sea
Down by the Red Sea
When I lived in Saudi Arabia, excursions to the Red Sea were the favourite weekend entertainment of we Westerners. To behold the coral reef is awe inspiring. The fish: turquoise, orange, canary yellow, magenta or with black stripes, come in all shapes and sizes. As well as snorkeling and diving among the fish, we would catch and eat parrot fish, grouper, and spotted halfbeak. I once even saw a shark give a dolphin a thrashing. Speaking of dolphins, they would swim alongside our Zodiac when we sped along en route to nearby islands (which, by the way, was forbidden).
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December/January 2009: The Question of Dress
The Question of Appropriate Dress
When relocating to one of the countries of the Middle East, women ask many questions about how to dress in public. There are many perspectives from which to examine the issue of how to dress when visiting or living in a country that expects women to dress in a way which does not display their female beauty:
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