ITP - 43: Teaching at Aramco Schools in Saudi Arabia

Greg: Hey, welcome to the International Teacher Podcast. I’m Greg, the single guy, and with me today is Kent, the cat guy. And we’re missing Matt, the family guy—we still haven’t found him. He’s lost somewhere, but we’re going to get him back on the show.

Kent: Well, Greg, you’ve set up a great interview for us today, and we have two special guests. I’ll bring them in so we can get started.

Kent: We are really fortunate today because one thing we hear from ITP listeners is, “Can you bring on teachers who have experience at the Aramco schools?” And today, we don’t have just one—we have two teachers from Aramco who are going to talk about their experience, their journeys as international teachers, and a special project they’ve started.

So let me bring them in. Hello, Darien. Hello, Angela.

Angela: Hello. It’s so great to be here. My name is Angela. I’m Canadian, and I’ve been overseas for about 18 years. I’m a mother of two daughters—one is 16 and one is 14. My husband also works here. He’s at the middle school, and I’m at the elementary school. In my spare time, I like to stay active, read books, and spend time with family and friends.

Darien: All right, my name is Darien Batten. I’ve been overseas for about eight years. I’m originally from the metropolitan area of Chincoteague, Virginia, where the population is about 3,000. So this kind of environment feels familiar in some ways.

I’m currently in Dhahran. I’ve been here for about a year with Saudi Aramco. There are about four different camps, and I happen to live in one of the smaller ones. The population here is somewhere between 750 and 1,500 people, depending on the time of year.

It’s a small camp, but that actually helps build strong connections between people. It’s kind of in the middle of nowhere, but in a good way. The transition has been great.

Angela: I’m at another Aramco camp called Ras Tanura. It’s on the beach, and it’s a long, narrow camp that kind of faces the ocean. I’m not exactly sure of the population, but it’s definitely bigger than Dhahran.

It’s a nice size—not too big, not too small. You can still go to the grocery store and not necessarily know everyone. It’s also a bit of a tourist destination because we have Aramco hotels here, so people come for short getaways.

It’s a really beautiful place to live.

Greg: So both of you work for Saudi Aramco, which is a big name in international education. When people look at job fairs and school packages, Aramco stands out as offering a very strong package.

So how did you get recruited? Did you go through multiple interviews? Did you attend a job fair?

Angela: I can go first. You’re right—Aramco has a reputation for offering a very competitive salary, and that’s something people are curious about.

For us, we had our information on ISS at the time. The principals were doing the recruiting, and we were at another Aramco camp called Abqaiq when we first connected with them.

Initially, I had no interest in moving to Saudi Arabia. I just wasn’t drawn to the idea of living in the desert. But once we started learning more through interviews, we realized it could be a great fit for our family.

That was 11 years ago.

Greg: And before Aramco, what was your journey like?

Angela: In 2004, my husband and I got married, and we moved to Egypt for what we thought would be one year. He was a teacher, and I didn’t have my teaching degree yet. I planned to volunteer.

But when we arrived in Alexandria, the Grade 1 teacher didn’t show up, and the principal asked if I would take the position. I thought, “How hard could Grade 1 be?” which was very naive.

I ended up loving it. That experience got me into teaching.

After that year, we moved to China and worked at a boarding school in the south. We were there for four years, and that’s where I completed my teaching degree. We also had our children there.

Then we moved to Korea and worked at an international school for three years before coming to Saudi Arabia.

Greg: So Egypt, China, Korea, and now Saudi Arabia—that’s quite a journey.

Angela: Yes, and we had no idea we’d be here this long, but it’s been a great experience.

Greg: Darien, what about you? What was your path to Aramco?

Darien: I started teaching overseas about eight years ago. I went to the UAE and taught there for seven years. I worked in a public school for three years and then in a British school for another three.

After that, I came to Saudi Arabia. Like you said, Aramco offers a strong package, but I was curious about what the trade-offs might be. I wondered what I’d have to give up.

But honestly, it’s been one of my best teaching experiences. The curriculum, the resources, and the opportunities for professional growth are all excellent.

I first heard about Aramco when I was in Korea. Someone described it like this mythical place—compounds with golf courses, movie theaters, all kinds of amenities. It sounded unreal.

That got my attention, and I started paying more attention to opportunities there.

Greg: Were you applying as a single teacher?

Darien: Yes, and I always thought of Aramco as more of a family-oriented place. I had applied once before and never heard back.

Later, I applied again. The process took time—multiple applications, interviews, and even delays because of COVID.

At one point, they told me they liked me but didn’t have a position available. Then later, things opened up, and I went through additional interviews.

It was a long process, but it worked out in the end.

Greg: It sounds like persistence is key.

Darien: Definitely. It’s a large organization, and the hiring process can move slowly, but it’s worth it if you stick with it.

Greg: That’s great insight.

Greg: Let me ask you something, Darien. I’ve always thought of Aramco as more of a place for families. What’s it like for single teachers there?

Angela: That’s an interesting question. I actually thought about that a lot during the pandemic when I was trying to support staff. In my school, we have about 10 single teachers out of 25, which is actually a pretty high number.

Single teachers tend to build their own communities. That said, Aramco is definitely a very family-friendly place. We have lunch breaks where I can go see my kids, and we’re usually home by 4:00. The school really understands family life.

But I do think it can feel a bit isolating if you’re in a smaller camp as a single person. That’s something people need to be aware of.

Darien: I’ll jump in on that. It can be a bit different depending on which camp you’re in. Where I am, it’s smaller, so there aren’t as many single people, but the ones who are here tend to connect really well.

People form tight groups. They travel together, join clubs—there’s a big diving community, for example. So while there may not be a large number of single people, the connections are strong.

For me, coming in as a single person, it was actually a really interesting experience. People are very welcoming, and there are a lot of opportunities to get involved in different groups and activities.

Sometimes it can even feel like there’s almost too much going on—so many invitations, so many groups pulling you in different directions.

Greg: That’s a good problem to have.

Darien: It is. But it does take some balance.

Greg: Let’s talk about the hiring process a bit more. It sounds like both of you went through quite a bit to get there—multiple interviews, waiting, delays.

Do you feel like people can get lost in the process because it’s such a big organization?

Angela: Yes, absolutely. It’s a huge company, and the process can feel slow. Someone once compared Aramco to a barge—it moves slowly, but it gets there.

That’s exactly how it feels. You just have to be patient and stick with it.

Greg: So persistence really matters.

Angela: Definitely. If it’s something you really want, you just have to hang in there.

Greg: Let me ask something I always like to ask. There’s always a trade-off somewhere. What’s the downside? Is there a downside?

Darien: I wouldn’t necessarily call it a downside, but there is definitely an adjustment period. Even coming from another Middle Eastern country, Saudi Arabia is different.

Living on a compound takes getting used to. You have to develop patience—things don’t always move quickly.

And for me, as a single person, the seclusion can be real. You have to be intentional about maintaining your mental well-being—getting out, connecting with people, staying engaged.

Angela: For my family, it was almost the opposite adjustment. We had to get used to how friendly people are and how much interaction there is. People drop by your house, kids have a lot of freedom, and there’s a strong sense of community.

In smaller camps, kids can ride their bikes everywhere. Once they’re about eight years old, they can go to facilities on their own—the pool, the rec center. It’s very safe.

Greg: That sounds like how things used to be.

Darien: Exactly. It’s very nostalgic—like the 70s or 80s, where kids just go out and play and come back when it gets dark.

Angela: But at the same time, no place is perfect. If you’re someone who loves big cities, going out to restaurants, shows, that kind of lifestyle—this might not be the place for you.

It’s quieter. You don’t have the same conveniences. But on the flip side, you save money and spend more time at home with family.

Greg: That’s a fair trade-off.

Angela: It really depends on what you’re looking for.

Greg: Let’s shift a bit and talk about lifestyle. People always ask about what day-to-day life looks like in Aramco. What does a typical day feel like for you?

Angela: For me, it’s very routine in a good way. I wake up, get my kids ready, and we’re all at school within minutes. Everything is very close, which makes life easier.

After school, we usually have activities or just time at home. The kids have a lot of independence—they can go out, meet friends, ride bikes. It’s a very safe environment.

Evenings are often social. People get together, there are events, or you might just have neighbors over. It feels very community-oriented.

Darien: I’d agree with that. The proximity of everything makes a big difference. You don’t spend time commuting, which gives you more time for other things.

For me, a typical day might include work, then heading to the gym, maybe meeting friends, or joining a group activity. There’s always something happening if you want to be involved.

Greg: What about getting off the compound? Is that something you do regularly?

Darien: Yes, but it takes a bit of planning. You can go into the city, but it’s not as spontaneous as living in a big urban area. You have to think ahead—transportation, timing, what you want to do.

Angela: For families, we do go off compound, but a lot of what we need is already here. That’s one of the reasons people stay—it’s convenient and comfortable.

Greg: That makes sense.

Greg: Let’s talk about professional life. What are the expectations like at Aramco schools?

Angela: The expectations are high, but you’re also supported. There are strong resources, good leadership, and a focus on professional growth.

You’re expected to do your job well, but you’re also given what you need to succeed.

Darien: I’d add that the students are great. They’re motivated, and the environment is conducive to learning. That makes a big difference in your day-to-day experience as a teacher.

Greg: That’s always a key factor.

Greg: Now, you mentioned earlier that you’ve started a project together. Tell us a bit about that.

Angela: Yes, we’ve started a podcast called “Teachers in Transition.” It’s focused on supporting educators who are going through changes—whether that’s moving internationally, changing roles, or just navigating different stages of their careers.

Darien: The idea came from our own experiences. We realized that there’s a gap—people don’t always have access to honest conversations about what these transitions are really like.

So we wanted to create a space where teachers can hear real stories and get practical advice.

Greg: That sounds very familiar.

Angela: Yes, we were definitely inspired by what you’ve done with ITP.

Greg: That’s great to hear.

Greg: What kind of topics are you covering?

Darien: A lot of it is around mindset, preparation, and reflection. How do you prepare for a move? How do you handle challenges? How do you grow from the experience?

Angela: And we also talk about identity—how being an international teacher shapes who you are over time.

Greg: That’s a big one. People don’t always realize how much this lifestyle changes you.

Angela: Exactly.

Greg: That’s fantastic. We’ll definitely share your podcast with our listeners.

Greg: Before we wrap up, I want to ask something we always ask our guests. Do you have any kind of police or customs story—something that happened while traveling or living overseas?

Darien: I’ve got a small one. When I first arrived in Saudi Arabia, I didn’t fully understand how strict some of the entry regulations were. I had packed a few items that probably should have stayed at home.

Nothing serious, but enough to get pulled aside. It turned into a bit of a conversation at the airport, and I quickly realized I needed to pay closer attention to what’s allowed and what’s not.

It wasn’t a big deal in the end, but it was a good learning experience right away.

Angela: For us, it’s more about travel with kids. There’s always something—documents, timing, making sure everything lines up. I wouldn’t say we’ve had one major incident, but there’s always a level of stress when you’re moving internationally with a family.

Greg: Yeah, that’s a whole different level of logistics.

Angela: Definitely. You get used to it over time, but there’s always that moment of, “Do we have everything?”

Greg: Let’s finish with this—what advice would you give to teachers who are considering Aramco or a similar type of school?

Angela: I would say do your research and really think about what kind of lifestyle you want. Talk to people who are there or have been there.

It’s a great place, but it’s not for everyone. If you value community, safety, and time with family, it can be an amazing fit.

Darien: I’d add to that—be patient with the process. It can take time, and it may not be straightforward, but if it’s something you really want, stick with it.

Also, come in with an open mind. There’s an adjustment period, but if you embrace it, you can have a really positive experience.

Greg: That’s great advice.

Angela: Thank you.

Greg: Angela, Darien, thank you so much for coming on the show and sharing your experiences. I think a lot of our listeners are going to get a lot out of this.

Angela: Thank you for having us.

Darien: Yeah, thanks. This was great.

Greg: And for everyone listening, we’ll see you next time on the International Teacher Podcast.