We are ramping up for opening.  The building we are gifted (and I do mean gifted because it is stunning) to run the institute out of was constructed 7 years ago and then not used.  As anyone can guess, there are enormous challenges with a building which been closed for that period of time but the good news is that it was well constructed and once it is fully cleaned and the furniture and equipment are in place it will be a palace.  The city seems to recognize this because young women and their mothers/sisters/aunts are coming from far and wide to ask to be considered for admission.  All Admission choices are made in Riyadh at the Corporate Office.  

This is one of the Colleges of Excellence run by Laureate Vocational.  We have defined, based on the number of faculty in place for this opening semester, a population of 125 students for our initial class size. 

Our faculty are primarily from the United States, Canada, the UK and the Middle East.  They have incredible backgrounds, education and many have taught all over the world.  They are bright, talented, energetic and very excited to be participating in this start up.  We are waiting on our laptops and tablets (this is the same in every start up I have ever done, I swear!) but the desktops and smart boards are here so we can teach! Books and workbooks and CDs are here.  Now if the desks are in place and we have water and AC, all will be well with the world!

Let's give you a tour of the spaces and explain what you are seeing.  In order of the pictures below: The administration building, the auditorium, the cafeteria, academic buildings, academic buildings and the library

 
Next it is our neighbors.  If looking out from the main conference room and main gate, is a very large camel farm.  I visited today and one of the owners said he will come have chai (tea) with me.  He is very happy we are starting up operations.  His camels are lovely.    I will send pictures of the city in the next posting.

More on the city of Kharj and life here.  Hard to believe I have only been in Kharj for 6 days.  I am going for a walk to find some lunch/dinner right now.  Cheers,  Betsy

In Kharj, Saudi Arabia and starting to get acclimated.  Trip from the States to Riyadh was long but effortless with a whole bank of seats all for me.  Immigration took forever but that was only a problem because too many international arrivals had occurred at the same time.  Otherwise, easy but long.

Staff is fabulous.  We are a small group to start but full of energy. Young women students are enthusiastic to say the least.  They are excited to begin and more keep showing up each day to register.  I am doing some unpacking and walking to the grocery store tonight; this will be short but here are some pictures of the Institute.....just a few.  Many more coming.

Visa has now been issued.  Passport should be on its way back to me.  Reservations to fly to Riyadh for Saturday the 14th are in place.  I will send pictures and a posting from my new home and new home base early next week.  Cheers, good health and peace to all on this day of many meanings for all of us, all around the world. 

When I last worked in Saudi and applied for a work visa, I learned what seemed like the normal and customary paperwork requirements are not necessarily what we understand to be normal and customary.  Here are my challenges...hopefully now addressed:

My doctor signed and and provided her licensing information for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and backed by Beth Israel Deaconess/Harvard Hospitals to verify the test results of all my medical tests.  Some of those test results are not acceptably received simply on a doctor's signature.  It is an enormous challenge to by-pass the complex and legal issues of privacy for medical records in order to transfer the actual lab testing records, especially for HIV testing, since those are Federally invoked privacy and confidentiality laws.  This information was forwarded for visa review yesterday.

Every state has its own standard for criminal background checks done for employment purposes.  In Maine it is handled through the State Police in Augusta and in NY it is handled through a special administrative department of the Court.  None of the cities or towns are authorized to do individual criminal background checks for employment submissions.  However, for a Saudi Work Visa the local police must also verify a clear criminal background.   Thankfully, with a clear criminal check from the Central Administrative Court Office in NY City, there is willingness from the records department of the Utica Police to accomplish a notarized letter supporting my clear record for submission with the work visa paperwork.  I pick up the letter today and will scan and send and will also send the original overnight.

New visa pictures were submitted as mine had to be replaced with current shots.  With all this done it will be time to see if there are other challenges.

Thought I was leaving on Sunday the 1st of September.  Work visa has not yet been issued.  Not an unusual part of the process, no matter what country I have worked in, to wait for the work visa. For those of you who have not worked and lived internationally, as Americans we tend to think our nationality allows speedy access to all areas of the world.  It just ain't so.....   Will let you know when I get there.  I am in a holding pattern right now.