Things You Didn't Know About Hitler That Will Blow Your Mind

To successfully teach abroad in Saudi Arabia, you'll need to learn to read between the lines and pay attention to local customs everywhere you go. Sometimes, learning what you should NOT do is more important than learning what you can do, in order to avoid cultural mishaps, offending locals, or worse. Here are a few of the most important things banned in Saudi Arabia that you should definitely be aware of before arrival:

1. Solo Females Out & About

Women in Saudi Arabia are generally not allowed to travel alone or without an electronic authorization, until they reach the age of 45. However, male family members have become increasingly more lenient recently, allowing their female family members to travel alone more frequently. Although, most males still forbid women from independently traveling, because according to Islam, this can lead to immorality. This law obviously varies for female foreign teachers who choose to teach in Saudi Arabia without their partner or male family members, but be sure to ask your school or placement provider how you should navigate the country as a solo female teacher.

2. Female Drivers

Females are not allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia; this is one of the most notorious bans related to women in Saudi Arabia. This law attempts to prevent women from leaving their houses without the accompaniment of their spouse or male family member (see #1), and avoid the potential for them encountering unrelated males without their own male family members or from getting into situations where they would have to uncover their face. However, in some cases, women are permitted to drive in the desert areas outside of any major cities or within private compounds.

3. Gender Restrictions in Employment

Women are not permitted to work in specific jobs in Saudi Arabia, especially those that men traditionally carry out. Education or medical fields are the most common fields that women are permitted to work in. Hence, opportunities to teach English in Saudi Arabia are typically open to both women and men. Although, more recently, women have begun working as store clerks in department stores or at grocery checkout counters. Regardless of the type of employment they pursue, women are always required to cover their faces during working hours.