Saudi by Jess: New Beginnings in Jeddah
Jess didn’t always plan on becoming a teacher. But from an early age, she says her grandmother saw in her the same passion for learning—and for sharing that knowledge with others—that her grandfather, a teacher himself, had. After teaching in the UK for nearly four years, Jess felt the call to explore, and before you know it, she had moved her life from the UK to the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia.
We met up with Jess to catch up on what it’s been like teaching kids in Jeddah and how she’s made the city her new home away from home.
Q: Welcome, welcome, Jess, tell us a bit about yourself.
A: My name is Jessica – Jess, for short. I’m a primary school teacher from the UK who’s been teaching in the beautiful city of Jeddah for about three years now.
Q: What made you choose Saudi Arabia as the next step in your career?
A: I was looking for something new and genuinely interesting. Saudi kept coming up in conversations as a country that was really evolving in the education space — changing quickly to prepare kids for the future – but also a place to really upgrade your quality of life. Jeddah is also a city by the sea, which is always a plus for me coming from an island myself.
Q: What does a typical school morning look like for you?
A: I usually wake up before my alarm, which feels like a small win every day! I take my time getting ready, pack my lunch, and always make a coffee to take with me, usually iced, no matter the season – like having a piece of home in my cup!
Q: What do you teach, and which age group do you work with?
A: I teach at an international school and follow the British curriculum, and I’m trained to teach a wide range of subjects, like English, Math, History, and Geography. I work with Year 4 students, who are typically between 8 and 9 years old, and always brimming with positive energy.
Q: What does a normal school day involve for you?
A: I start every day with an open mind and a lot of excitement for the surprises the kids will have in store any given day. We usually have six lessons a day, punctuated by breaks for the children to eat, explore, and play. We wind down with extracurricular activities or clubs, which also allow them to have a measure of choice to do what they love best in the school context.
Q: What’s your favorite part of the school day?
A: Definitely the morning settling-in time. It’s when I get to check in with the students, talk to them about what’s going on in their lives, and really read the room. It helps me understand if anyone needs extra support or encouragement that day.
Q: Is there something you think Saudi is doing particularly well in education?
A: It’s incredibly open and welcoming to teachers, and educators are treated with a lot of respect and appreciation. The Kingdom is also very open to allowing international schools to thrive while investing heavily in education more broadly, expanding kids’ opportunities to have a truly diverse learning experience.
Q: How has working in Saudi Arabia impacted you personally or professionally?
A: It’s helped me experience new cultures and become more flexible and open-minded. I’ve also met some incredible educators here, which has really shaped and strengthened my own teaching style.
Q: How would you describe your work–life balance in Jeddah?
A: Life in Jeddah feels calm and relaxed and being so close to the sea has also helped me feel more connected to nature. Every other day, I try to head straight to the gym after work. Then I go home, wind down, double-check I’m ready for the next school day, cook or order food, and relax for the evening. I’m usually asleep by around 9pm, so I genuinely feel rested and recharged, ready to give my best at school.
Q: How have you found the options for going out?
A: Honestly, the food scene alone is unreal. There are so many incredible restaurants and cafés to explore. I always tell people Saudi has some of the best food and coffee I’ve ever had. That’s before we even get into things like the concerts and activities at Jeddah Season, the Old City, and the Souks. There’s so much richness to life here.
Q: What are Saudi people like?
A: Saudi people are some of the kindest and most welcoming people I’ve ever met. A request for help or advice is always met with kindness and understanding. I arrived with very little knowledge of the culture, and people were more than happy to help me find my way. This truly feels like my home away from home.
Q: What would you say to teachers considering a move to Saudi Arabia?
A: Yallah, come and join us! The opportunities are endless, and hopefully you’ll fall in love with this country just as much as I have.
Watch Jess’ story and learn more about working and living at your best in Saudi Arabia.
Explore more real stories and from the people shaping the future on Truly Saudi.
