Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
Moving to Saudi Arabia, whether for a work contract, a humanitarian mission, or a highly skilled position, is often a fantastic professional and financial opportunity. But behind the attractive package, tax-free salaries, and ambitious projects of Vision 2030, many quickly discover another reality: homesickness, loneliness, and a longing for home.
Number of millions of foreigners living in Saudi Arabia, away from their families.
This article offers concrete advice, grounded in the Saudi reality, to understand, prevent, and better cope with this homesickness, without ignoring the country’s constraints, but rather by leveraging its strengths, networks, culture, and services – including digital ones.
Understanding Homesickness in the Saudi Context
Homesickness is not a character weakness nor a pathology in itself. Psychologists speak more of “acculturative stress” or “culture shock”: a set of emotional, physical, and cognitive reactions to a new environment, with different codes, rules, and reference points.
In Saudi Arabia, several factors amplify this shock.
First, geographical and emotional distance. Many expatriates come from very distant countries (Philippines, India, Pakistan, European countries, the Americas, Africa), and trips back home are infrequent and expensive. Some Filipino workers, for example, leave alone and leave spouses and children behind for years, with all that entails in terms of guilt, anxiety for loved ones’ health, and fear of “missing” major family events.
The country is governed by Sharia, Islamic law. Alcohol is strictly prohibited, non-Muslim religious practices must remain private, and public displays of affection are forbidden. Any public criticism of the government or religion can lead to serious consequences. This environment can be perceived as very restrictive for visitors from more liberal countries.
Added to this are the language and the heat. Arabic is the official language, and even though English is widely used in business, private hospitals, or business districts, a simple taxi ride, reading a sign, or shopping at the market can become sources of frustration if one doesn’t master a few basic words. Climatically, in summer, temperatures frequently exceed 40°C (104°F), reaching 50°C (122°F) at times. In some regions, dust, sandstorms, and air pollution are added, physically exhausting people and encouraging a form of social hibernation: you stay home, go out less, and withdraw.
Many expatriates living in cities like Riyadh, Dammam, or Al Khobar describe a recurring scenario. It often begins with a phase of euphoria linked to discovery, new colleagues, and a sense of adventure. This phase is usually followed by a period of frustration, marked by negative comparisons with the home country, sometimes by isolation and anger. Balance gradually returns once the environment is better understood and initial friendships are formed.
Recognizing the Warning Signs of Homesickness
In Saudi Arabia as elsewhere, homesickness can manifest in multiple, often intertwined ways.
On an emotional level, you find persistent sadness, a feeling of emptiness, irritability, anxiety, a drop in motivation, or the impression of being “detached” from one’s own life. Some expats describe entire evenings spent in front of the TV in studios in Dammam, too tired to go out, but unable to feel “at home.” Others complain of a feeling of extreme loneliness when colleagues return home for family vacations for four consecutive months.
Expats in Saudi Arabia
Physically, homesickness can translate into headaches, digestive issues, insomnia, chronic fatigue, or appetite disorders. The combination of heat + new work schedules + cultural dissonance weighs on the body. An Egyptian worker cited in stories ended up falling into depression after unpaid salaries for six months, compounded by family distance.
In cities like Dammam, social life after work is often limited to a few restaurants and shopping malls. Outside residential compounds, it is difficult to build a circle of friends outside the professional sphere. This situation reinforces the idea that the only authentic social life is at the office, which can intensify a feeling of mental confinement.
The important thing is to consider these reactions as signals, not a fate. Spotting these signs early allows for implementing concrete strategies, instead of letting the situation slide towards depression or burnout.
Accepting Culture Shock Rather Than Enduring It
One of the keys to getting through this phase is to change your perspective on what you’re experiencing. Scientific literature on acculturation describes several phases: a “honeymoon” (everything is new, exciting), a phase of crisis (differences become irritating, even threatening), then gradual adjustment. These cycles are normal.
Rather than fighting these emotions, it is often more effective to acknowledge them: yes, moving to a country where stores close during prayers, where the weekend falls on Friday-Saturday, where abayas are still commonplace and where political topics are taboo, is disruptive. The important thing is not to get stuck there.
The integration approach, which involves retaining key elements of one’s original culture (such as language, cuisine, or holidays) while gradually adopting local practices (a few Arabic words, etiquette rules, appropriate dress, or tricks for adapting to prayer times), is often the most protective for well-being. Conversely, separation strategies (staying only among compatriots without learning anything about the host country) and marginalization strategies (cutting oneself off from both the home country and the host country) are associated with greater psychological distress.
Concretely, accepting culture shock in Saudi Arabia means, for example:
It is important to plan your shopping around the closure of businesses during prayer times, which are an integral part of the social rhythm. Public displays of affection are to be avoided, as romantic life belongs to the private sphere. Finally, some freedoms common in the West (alcohol consumption, expression of sexual diversity, open political criticism) are not tolerated locally, requiring careful adaptation to avoid any legal or social risk.
This acceptance does not mean agreeing with everything, but rather stopping fighting every detail of daily life. Many long-term expats testify that once this stage is passed, the atmosphere seems more “breathable” to them, and they begin to appreciate other aspects: the high security, the warmth of interpersonal relationships, colleagues’ generosity, the richness of the landscapes, or career opportunities.
Building a Routine That Takes the Country into Account
One of the major recommendations from psychologists specializing in acculturation is to establish a stable daily structure as soon as possible. In Saudi Arabia, this routine must work with a number of local parameters: work hours, Friday-Saturday weekend, heat, prayer times, potential separation from family left behind.
Rather than enduring, it is useful to “architect” your days around a few pillars.
Tips for adapting your schedule to the climatic conditions and local opportunities.
Start early to enjoy the cooler temperatures, ideal for outdoor sports or a walk. The parks and corniches of Riyadh or Jeddah are very pleasant at this time.
Prioritize indoor activities during extreme heat: work, reading, gym sports, or learning Arabic.
Use this time for video calls with family, taking the time difference into account.
In the evening, it can be helpful to block fixed weekly time slots for specific activities: an outing with colleagues on a certain day, a language class or club (Toastmasters, sports, photography) at a given time, a home cooking session with a dish from home, an online movie night with family back home.
An expat living in Riyadh started keeping a daily journal to structure her time and combat homesickness. Every evening, she noted three small positive things from her day, even minor ones, like a friendly conversation at the supermarket, a landscape she enjoyed, or a laugh with a colleague. This simple ritual helped ‘reconnect’ her brain to the present rather than to permanent nostalgia.
Leveraging the Power of Social Media to Break Isolation
Saudi Arabia is one of the most connected countries in the world. Over 95% of the population uses at least one social network, and Saudis spend on average more than three hours per day on them. The internet now reaches the entire population, and over 99% of residents use social platforms daily.
For an expatriate, this means two things: on one hand, tools to stay connected with the home country are very easily accessible. On the other hand, these same platforms are powerful gateways for integrating locally, meeting people, and finding activities – provided they are used with discernment.
Staying Connected with Loved Ones Without Getting Stuck There
Thanks to messaging apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, or Telegram, it’s possible to create family groups, share photos, videos, voice messages, and have virtually free video calls. Platforms like Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, or Google Meet allow organizing real “family evenings” remotely: watching a movie together synchronized via browser extensions, cooking the same recipe in two different kitchens, giving a virtual tour of your Saudi apartment.
Regular communication with the home country limits the rupture, but too much hinders integration. It’s advisable to schedule specific video appointments (e.g., twice a week) rather than responding continuously, to build a life on-site while maintaining ties.
Using Social Media to Build a Local Network
Social media isn’t just for passively watching content. In Saudi Arabia, many Facebook, WhatsApp, or Telegram groups are dedicated to expatriates in a specific city or national community: “Expat Life in Saudi Arabia,” “Mums in Jeddah,” “Westerners in Saudi Arabia,” but also more targeted groups like “Indian Moms in Khobar” or Filipino communities in every major city. On LinkedIn, professional networks (Women in Tech Riyadh, Expats in Oil & Gas, teachers, caregivers, engineers) allow meeting colleagues in the same sector.
Online platforms organize various physical events to facilitate integration and the creation of social connections.
Desert hikes, language evenings, brunches, and cultural outings are regularly offered.
Groups like “Riyadh International Group” or “Yallahike” gather several thousand members.
Meet people sharing similar experiences, exchange useful tips and recommendations (doctor, gym, neighborhood).
The following table gives a simplified overview of some useful channels for creating connections:
| Type of Network | Examples in Saudi Arabia | Main Usefulness |
|---|---|---|
| Facebook / WhatsApp Groups | “Expat Life in Saudi Arabia,” “Mums in Jeddah” | Practical questions, meetings, classifieds |
| Expat Platforms | Internations, Expat.com, Reddit r/saudiarabia | Events, mutual help, feedback |
| Professional Networks (LinkedIn) | Women in Tech Riyadh, Expats in Oil & Gas | Professional networking, career opportunities |
| Friendship/Dating Apps | Bumble BFF, Meetup | Finding activity partners, friends, roommates |
Again, it’s about choosing intentionally. Joining a few targeted groups, participating actively, attending some events, is far more useful than silently following dozens of pages without ever leaving home.
Taking Advantage of Expat Communities and the Country’s Diversity
With over 10 million foreigners from all backgrounds, Saudi Arabia is a true melting pot. Indians, Pakistanis, and Bangladeshis form the largest contingents, especially in Riyadh and Dammam, but Filipino communities are also very present in healthcare, hospitality, and services. Arab expatriates (Egyptians, Syrians, Jordanians) hold many positions in education, trade, or engineering, while Westerners (Americans, British, French, Germans) are often concentrated in highly skilled sectors and live, for some of them, in international compounds.
This diversity can be a powerful antidote to homesickness, if one chooses to expose themselves to it.
In major cities, cultural clubs, entrepreneur associations, or chambers of commerce (American, British, German, Indian) regularly organize conferences, networking events, and themed meetings. International schools, via their parent-teacher associations (PTA), are real community hubs for families: national holidays, parent coffees, children’s sports activities, various workshops.
Residential compounds function as social microcosms, offering numerous facilities (pools, gyms, tennis courts, cafes, etc.) and regularly organizing events (parties, markets, tournaments). To widen your social circle, an effective strategy is to get invited to these spaces through colleagues or friends who live there.
Differences between cities also play a role. Riyadh is more formal and political, Jeddah is more relaxed and oriented towards the sea, Khobar/Dhahran more family-oriented and marked by the presence of oil giants. Dammam or Jubail, quieter, offer a different atmosphere. It can be beneficial, when feeling stuck in a routine, to plan weekends in another city or region: Jeddah and its corniche, the Asir mountains, the East Coast beaches, historical sites like Al-Ula. Traveling within the country allows one to reclaim the territory, to move from the status of an isolated worker to that of a curious explorer.
Creating a “Home Away from Home” with Food and Culture
The link between food, memory, and emotions is particularly strong. For many expatriates, simply finding a dish from their childhood in a supermarket or local restaurant triggers a wave of comfort. In the Saudi context, where the food scene has exploded with Vision 2030, this is a precious lever against homesickness.
Major chains (Danube, Carrefour, LuLu, etc.) have “world food” aisles offering specific products (sauces, spices, dairy products…) from around the world, sometimes at higher prices. Moreover, some neighborhoods have community markets (Keralite, Filipino, Pakistani) where it’s possible to find most products from one’s home country.
On the local cuisine side, exploring Saudi specialties can paradoxically alleviate homesickness by giving a sense of appropriating the country. Dishes like kabsa (classic spiced rice and meat), saleeg (creamy rice with broth and milk), jareesh (cracked wheat with yogurt), matazeez or margoog (dough and vegetable stews), traditional date-based desserts, or Arabic coffee (gahwa) served with dates, structure social and festive life. Participating in a Saudi meal, accepting coffee, and asking a few questions about recipes often opens the door to deeper conversations with colleagues or neighbors.
The table below illustrates how food can become a concrete tool against homesickness. For example, preparing a traditional dish from one’s home country can recreate a feeling of familiarity and comfort, acting as a sensory bridge with the native culture and alleviating feelings of nostalgia.
| Emotional Need Related to Homesickness | Concrete Action Around Food |
|---|---|
| Lack of familiarity | Search for products from your home country in hypermarkets |
| Need for social connection | Invite colleagues to taste a typical dish from your country |
| Desire to better understand the country | Discover one Saudi dish per week, ask for the recipe |
| Nostalgia for family rituals | Recreate a traditional holiday meal at home |
Beyond food, arts and traditions also help recreate a cocoon. Listening to music from your country, displaying photos of your family or hometown, watching movies in your language, celebrating national or religious holidays of your home country (respecting local laws) – all this helps maintain identity continuity. Some expats decorate their homes with a few symbolic objects (fabrics, books, small souvenirs) that remind them of their personal history.
Using Available Mental Health Services in the Kingdom
Homesickness can, in some cases, evolve into genuine anxiety or depressive disorders. In Saudi Arabia, it is estimated that about one-third of the population will experience a mental health issue during their lifetime, and expatriates are particularly exposed due to isolation, work stress, and the language barrier. Suicide rates are slowly rising, especially among foreign workers, with a major role played by work stress and financial difficulties.
Saudi Arabia has integrated mental health into its national health strategy, adopted a specific law in 2014 to protect patients’ rights, and created a dedicated National Center to coordinate awareness campaigns, educational programs, and digital platforms.
For a person struggling with homesickness, several channels exist:
– The Ministry of Health’s helpline 937, available 24/7, can direct to appropriate services.
– A telephone psychological counseling center (920033360) offers support on weekdays.
– Apps like Qareboon, Labayh, or other teleconsultation platforms allow consulting psychologists online, sometimes in English or Arabic, with varying fees.
– Major public and private hospitals, as well as specialized centers like the Rafa Mental Health Center or the Priory Wellbeing Centre in Riyad, offer consultations for anxiety disorders, depression, work stress, etc.
Although stigma, especially among expats from cultures where mental health issues are rarely discussed, hinders the use of services, validated therapeutic approaches (like CBT) are very effective in treating expatriation-related anxiety, sleep disorders, recurrent negative thoughts, or depression.
For an expat, a first step might be to talk to their primary care physician, to an HR department (in some large companies, psychological support or an employee assistance program is provided), or to international online therapy platforms specializing in expatriate support. When homesickness starts preventing one from going to work, cutting the desire to see people, or generating dark thoughts, asking for help is no longer an option, but an urgent necessity.
Building a Support Network, Between Locals and Foreigners
A constant emerges from all work on acculturation: the quality of the social network on-site is a key factor for well-being. The more a person feels surrounded, understood, and supported, the less hold homesickness has.
In Saudi Arabia, this network building can happen through several complementary channels.
An expat doctor saw his perception of the country transformed when a Saudi landlord regularly brought him food during Ramadan. This gesture of hospitality, going beyond mere courtesy, created a quasi-family bond. This example illustrates how, in Saudi professional culture, accepting and responding to hospitality (coffee, dates, meals) and investing in informal discussions are essential for building valuable personal relationships and succeeding in integration.
Leisure venues next. Signing up for a gym, a diving club in Jubail, a desert hiking group near Riyadh, a Toastmasters club, or a cooking class is like giving yourself a double therapy: physical or creative activity on one side, meetings on the other. Local associations also organize volunteering (beach cleanups, solidarity actions for precarious workers, educational workshops), which not only gets you out of the house but also allows you to regain a sense of usefulness beyond paid work.
For believers, religious communities (mosques, study groups, discreet meetings in private or diplomatic spaces) constitute a powerful relay for moral support. Organizations report the existence of prayer groups or Bible study groups meeting discreetly in compounds, offering significant relational depth.
Finally, platforms like Internations, Expat.com, or local groups on Facebook or WhatsApp can serve as an initial springboard: once a few contacts are made online, the challenge is to materialize them off-screen, over coffee, a walk, or an event.
Managing Distance from Family Without Burning Out
Far from the heart’s office, part of many expats’ hearts remains “left back home”. Worries about aging parents, children, a spouse left behind are frequent and legitimate. For some, every video call reawakens the guilt of not being physically present.
For families separated by expatriation, the quality of exchanges is more important than the frequency of contact. It is recommended to establish regular appointments together, such as a long video call on the weekend supplemented by a few audio messages during the week, rather than maintaining constant but superficial contact where mutual listening is lacking.
A few concrete strategies can improve things:
To alleviate the distance during expatriation in Saudi Arabia, several concrete actions are recommended. Plan the next physical visits in advance, even if distant, to have a concrete horizon. Document your daily life (photos, short videos, private blog) so your loved ones can picture your life and avoid catastrophic scenarios. Involve them in some practical choices (decorations, buying a piece of furniture or clothing) to cultivate a sense of shared project. Finally, create shared rituals at a distance, like watching the same series, cooking the same recipe, praying at the same time, or reading the same book.
Conversely, it is crucial to truly listen to what loved ones back home are experiencing, without monopolizing exchanges with one’s own difficulties or successes. A balanced dialogue strengthens bonds, which better cushions homesickness.
Protecting Your Mental Health from Acculturative Stress
Psychology research shows that acculturation acts as prolonged stress, with more or less intense phases. To prevent this stress from turning into chronic distress, several preventive axes are useful.
A study indicates that about three-quarters of young Arabs have difficulty disconnecting from social media.
Then, stress management tools: meditation, breathing exercises, journaling, spiritual practices, artistic activities. Maintaining “play” in your life – in the literal sense of time for pleasure, discovery, humor – counterbalances the rigidity one sometimes feels in a new regulated environment.
Approaches inspired by cognitive-behavioral therapies, even in self-help, help identify and confront negative automatic thoughts (e.g., ‘I have nothing to do here’). By writing them down and confronting them with reality (counterexamples, nuances, positive aspects), you prevent painful emotions from dictating the narrative of the experience alone.
Finally, the impact of working conditions should not be underestimated. Cases of abuse by employers (delayed salaries, excessive hours, verbal or physical violence) have been documented, especially for domestic or low-skilled workers. In these situations, homesickness is aggravated by a feeling of helplessness and injustice. Approaching embassies, consulates, aid organizations (for example for Filipino workers: POLO, OWWA), or specialized legal services is then essential, not only for mental health but for safety.
Preparing Your Departure in Advance to Better Withstand the Shock
Part of managing homesickness happens before even setting foot in Saudi Arabia. Those who have taken the time to research the country in depth – its laws, customs, working conditions, cost of living, expat networks – generally arrive with more realistic expectations, and therefore fewer shocks.
Before departure, it is crucial to anticipate the duration of administrative procedures (visa and Iqama) and to plan a financial reserve of at least 3,000 SAR to cover expenses until the first salary. Understanding the sponsor (kafeel) system and its legal implications (changing employers, exiting the country) is essential to avoid bad surprises. You must also choose your housing carefully (type, neighborhood, distance), anticipate children’s schooling, and meticulously check your contract clauses (salary, housing, health insurance, annual plane tickets, school fees).
On a psychological level, it can be useful to ask yourself a few honest questions: what are my non-negotiables (for example, being able to practice my religion in private, having time for sports, keeping a close bond with my family)? What concessions am I willing to make (nightlife, alcohol, freedom of expression)? Have I already lived extended periods abroad, and how did I react?
Before your departure, dedicate a few hours to training yourself on the fundamentals of Saudi culture. Study the country’s history and the central place of Islam in society. Learn essential etiquette codes: forms of greeting, the mandatory use of the right hand, respect for elders, and avoiding sensitive topics like politics or religion. This awareness, via courses or videos, will prevent potentially costly missteps and allow you to establish more authentic relationships from your first weeks on-site.
Finding Meaning in This Life Chapter
Finally, beyond practical tools, a deeper dimension often helps in enduring over time: giving a meaning to this experience beyond salary and CV. Many expatriates who ended up “loving” Saudi Arabia describe an internal shift: they no longer saw their stay only as a sacrifice away from their country, but as an adventure of personal transformation.
This meaning can take various forms: the ability to financially support one’s family, repay debts, fund children’s education, live in a safer environment, participate in transformation projects of a society in motion, discover Islam from within for a curious non-Muslim, discovering oneself in the ordeal of distance.
Some even end up, after years, feeling homesick… for Saudi Arabia when they leave. They miss the human warmth, the particular rhythm of days marked by prayer, the simplicity of relationships with colleagues, street safety, or sunsets over the desert. Without idealizing nor denying the very real constraints of the country, this ambivalence shows that homesickness is not fixed: it moves, it evolves, it mostly tells of our attachment to places where we have loved and grown.
Managing homesickness in Saudi Arabia, therefore, is not just about “holding on” until the end of the contract. It’s learning to make several “homes” coexist within oneself, to open up to a radically different culture without denying one’s own, to ask for help when the weight becomes too heavy, and to transform a difficult period into a rich, sometimes even foundational, life chapter.
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Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.
On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.
Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.
