My Overseas Job as an Ultrasound Technologist

by Brenda
(Florida USA)

In the mid 90s I signed a two year contract to work in Saudi Arabia. After a two day orientation we were on our way. We were a small group of 12. After a rather lengthy flight we landed and Riyadh has one of the most beautiful airports I've ever seen as long as you look past the machine gun toting guards. Huge fountains everywhere. It turns out the Arab people have a fondness for water fountains.

The job was much like one you might have in America but you hear a great many more accents and you work with staff from all over the world. The patients were warm and compliant and very polite.

The cultural change was profound, and for the first two weeks it felt as though I might be on a large movie set, but no one ever called cut! The shopping is fantastic if you like oriental rugs and good jewelry. The people were curious and generally uninformed as to what life was like outside their country. Shopping in Saudi requires careful planning if you wish to avoid prayer times because all the malls, stores and restaurants close for the half hour prayers which happen thru out the day. Restaurants are plentiful and your choices are varied and I never had a bad meal. The local sandwich was a Shwarma, a wrap with chicken or lamb and french fries all in one.

It was wonderful to experience another culture and still have an American embassy to keep your memories of home alive. I made friends from all over the world and will never forget them or the amazing sunsets!

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