Saudi by Anni: Conversations, Coffeeshops, and Adventure

Two years ago, 30-year-old Anni packed up her life in Germany and moved to Saudi Arabia for a job in the Kingdom’s fast-growing green energy sector. Even before she swapped currywurst for kabsa, Anni knew she was making a life-changing decision, but what started as a career move turned into an eye-opening experience that completely reshaped how she sees Saudi. 

We sat down for a chat with Anni to talk about her biggest surprises, cultural discoveries, and some of her top recommendations for anyone looking to visit – or make the big move! – to the Kingdom. 

First things first, Anni, tell us how you came to be here, and what you were expecting to find. 

Hey! Well, when I moved here, I didn’t know much about what to expect. I knew I had a good job that I was interested in, and I hoped I’d find some new friends and make enough to travel around. But I didn’t know what the people would be like, since you really don’t come across much Saudi media in Germany, so everything was totally new to me. I thought I’d stay a year, get some work experience, and move on. Two years later, here I am, still loving it and with so much more to do and see! 

What were your first impressions when you arrived? 

I was so surprised by how kind and open people are here. In Germany, people are generally polite but reserved, especially in the big cities. In Saudi Arabia, it’s completely different, everyone wants to talk to you, get to know you, make sure you’re having a good time. Whether I’m grabbing coffee, at work, or walking around the mall, I always meet people who want to chat and learn about where I’m from. The energy here is just infectious. It honestly made me feel at home way faster than I could’ve expected. 

What’s something about Saudi Arabia that people back home might not believe? 

Back home, we tend to imagine something a bit Disney, with romantic sand dunes, and ancient buildings. But really, it’s so much more. There’s nothing like standing in the middle of At-Turaif in Diriyah on a starry night or taking in the absolute quiet that surrounds AlUla on a summer night. Then you’ve got so many beautiful beaches, mountains where it actually snows, and super-modern cities like Riyadh or Jeddah where there’s always something happening, like concerts, art shows, cultural festivals, new restaurants, tennis, and football. It’s a mix of old and new, indoors and outdoors, in the coolest way. 

Any big surprises? 

Before I moved, some of my friends were like, “Wait, you’re moving to a place where you have to cover up all the time?”  It’s not really true, because I wear what I want as long it’s respectful of the culture, and I also love wearing the abaya! It’s elegant, it flows beautifully, and it’s so convenient, you never have to stress about what to wear in the morning. You can style it however you want and wear different designs and colors for every season and occasion. 

Was it easy to make friends in Saudi Arabia? 

Oh, definitely. People are super supportive when they hear you’re new and they’ll invite you to local gatherings or show you around their favorite spots. I expected things to be quieter or more conservative, but people here really love to go out, explore, and connect. And the nightlife is completely different, especially coffee shop culture where people like to stay out late, chatting, watching a football game, or just enjoying a view. That sense of community in the middle of a big city like Riyadh is something I didn’t know I was missing until I found it here. 

Has living in Saudi Arabia changed your perspective on life at all?  

I think it’s made me way more open-minded. There’s so much happening here that doesn’t make it into the media. People are ambitious, creative, and forward-thinking, so it’s inspiring to be around that kind of energy every day. But Saudis also really value relationships, taking time to talk, share food, laugh. Taking that time is something I’ve started to bring into my own life, even in how I work, or spend my weekends. 

If you could give some advice to someone thinking about moving to Saudi Arabia, what would you say? 

Come see it for yourself. Experience how welcoming it is, how there’s so much to do, and you will definitely want to come back. It’s one of those places that surprises you in the best way possible. The warmth of the people, this mix of tradition and modern life, the endless things to do… it’s all way beyond what I imagined, and I couldn’t recommend it more. 

Watch Anni’s story to learn all about her journey and new life in Saudi. 

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