Lecturing in Saudi

Yes.  I’m back into the workforce not long after posting about surviving early retirement 😂.  It’s not about money for sure.  I was ready for a complete retirement.  It’s just that I somehow have a feeling that I may be able to contribute for a few more years before attempting to retire again at 50.  My LinkedIn status has always been ‘career break’ since July 2023, not ‘retired’.

When a matching and interesting opportunity came by early this year, I just tried my luck.  Everything went smoothly and the rest is history.  I was hired starting from 17 August 2025.  Below are my discoveries so far.

❤ Salary.  Even the basic salary is higher than my last drawn gross salary and that is only half of what I get.  Allowances constitute the other half and all are income-tax free.  Zero deduction.

❤ Lots and lots of leaves.  60 days of annual leaves.  Yes, you read it right.  You don’t get this even after more than 20 years of working in Malaysia.  On top of these, about two weeks each of eid leaves and leaves for the whole of Ramadhan too.  Basically, I only need to work for eight months and get paid for 12 months 👀.  Too good to be true.  I hope it is true.

❤ Lots and lots of cosy cafes.  This may depend on the institution.  I can find cafe in almost every corner and there is a food court too that includes popular fast food restaurants like KUDU.  Lots of snack vending machines too.  So rich.  So nice.  So fat?  Huh.

❤ Flat system.  I’m not sure what to call this but here, you’re not addressed by your rank.  Whether you’re an associate professor or assistant professor, you’re a Dr.  You get the same office and the same loading.  KPIs are the same for all PhD holders.  Depending on the kind of person you are, you may like or dislike this.  I love it and am very comfortable with it.

💔 No mid-semester break.  It’s a straight 15-week of classes followed by two examination weeks.  Can hardly breathe.  I guess after so many leaves including the whole of Ramadhan, you can’t afford to have more breaks.

💔 Very very few public holidays.  To be honest, only two.  The founding day and national day.  For someone so used to so many public holidays, these are scarce.