Moving to Riyadh next year! Any suggestions?

Question

consulting Middle East riyadh

New answer on Oct 09, 2023

7 Answers

516 Views

Anonymous A asked on Oct 04, 2023

I'm a 25-year-old guy from Western Europe, and I'm moving to Riyadh next year completely by myself to work as a senior consultant. I would like to know where I can meet people in a similar situation as mine. I've been trying to connect with people on LinkedIn, but for some reason, I can only find local individuals working in consulting firms, and all the foreigners are based in Dubai.

Although I'm totally open to meeting locals, I would also like to have a circle of friends who are expats around my age. I believe this would make my integration much easier.

Thanks!

Overview of answers

Sort by:

Only show saved answers

Related Cases

Expert case by Francesco

31.7k

Times solved

4.6

600+ Ratings

Advanced

Difficulty

Expert case by Francesco

13.7k

Times solved

4.1

100+ Ratings

Intermediate

Difficulty

Expert case by Francesco

8.0k

Times solved

5.0

< 100 Ratings

Intermediate

Difficulty

Expert case by Francesco

8.0k

Times solved

4.0

< 100 Ratings

Intermediate

Difficulty

Expert case by Francesco

7.6k

Times solved

4.3

< 100 Ratings

Intermediate

Difficulty

Answer 1

Alberto

Expert

Content Creator

replied on Oct 04, 2023

Ex-McKinsey Associate Partner | +15 years in consulting | +200 McKinsey 1st & 2nd round interviews

Hi there,

To add on top of other great response, Apps like Tinder have features to just meet new friends without any dating interest.

Good luck in your career move!

Alberto

Was this answer helpful?

9

Book a coaching

Answer 2

Best answer

Francesco

Expert

Content Creator

replied on Oct 06, 2023

#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ interviewoffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

Congratulations on the offer! In terms of your question:

Q: I would also like to have a circle of friends who are expats around my age.

Here are a few ideas you can consider, which I used when I moved to Singapore without knowing many people:

Facebook groups of expats (via Facebook)
Local clubs (via Google)
Circles of people from your country (via Facebook)
Alumni of your university (via LinkedIn)

Best,

Francesco

Was this answer helpful?

9

Book a coaching

Answer 3

Nikita

Expert

updated an answer on Oct 06, 2023

MBB & Tier2 preparation | 85+ offers | 7 years coaching | 2000+ sessions | PDF reviews attached

Hey!

Start doing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu :) You'll be surprised how many successful people with a business background are doing it.

For example, I stayed in Belgrade, Serbia, this August and attended a local BJJ gym where I instantly connected with a bunch of IT guys with whom we shared a lot in common.

If you are not into martial arts, try any other sports that fosters camaraderie and teamwork.

Good luck!
Nick

(edited)

Was this answer helpful?

8

Book a coaching

Answer 4

Cristian

Expert

Content Creator

replied on Oct 04, 2023

#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach

Hi there!

Congrats! Hope you have a good start there!

Yes, LinkedIn is a good place to start if you're looking for fellow professionals, but indeed you'll mostly find locals. This also has to do with some of the current policies in the region to retain mostly local consultants rather than international ones.

Aside from this, you can use websites such as MeetUp. Facebook groups should also be a good place to look into.

Best,
Cristian

———————————————

Practicing for interviews? Check out my latest case based on a first-round MBB interview >>> SoyTechnologies

Was this answer helpful?

7

Book a coaching

Answer 5

Benjamin

Expert

Content Creator

replied on Oct 09, 2023

Ex-BCG Principal | 8+ years consulting experience in SEA | BCG top interviewer & top performer

Hi,

Congrats on your offer and the new opportunity.

I would say that the first avenue you can try and leverage is your firm's network.

The other common avenues would be facebook groups, forums (specifically for expats), as well as sports leagues.

All the best!

Was this answer helpful?

5

Book a coaching

Answer 6

Ian

Expert

Content Creator

updated an answer on Oct 05, 2023

Hi there,

First of all, Riyadh is booming and particularly in the international scene! One of my current candidates there (international) loves it.

This isn't the right forum for your Q (try reddit, for example), but I've lived in 7 cities across 5 countries and 3 continents so I can help a bit here:

Google - find online groups/forums - search “Riyadh, meetups, communities, meet people” etc.
Local communities - I joined a francophone community/hangout group and became super close with them
Hobbies (gym, biking, chess, climbing, etc.) - I've made friends at the gym, in soccer clubs, at the pool, etc.
Local shops (I've made friends at local coffee shops that I frequent, for example)

Just put yourself out there and find consistency in where you go and what you do!

(edited)

Was this answer helpful?

2

Book a coaching

Answer 7

Frederic

Expert

Content Creator

replied on Oct 04, 2023

ex Jr. Partner McKinsey |Senior Interviewer| Real Feedback & Free Homework between sessions|Harvard Coach|10+ Experience

Hey there, great choice, the region is booming indeed and could boost your career! Ian's points are spot on, would just add that thinking of taking at least a beginner language class could help, both to find expats friends ;-) and to also get some basics on the language (will be very helpful!). Best, Frederic

Was this answer helpful?

2

Book a coaching

Get Active in Our Amazing Community of Over 452,000 Peers!

Moving to Riyadh next year! Any suggestions?

Overview of answers

Related Products

Related Articles

Consulting Career Path

BCG Case Interview

Consulting Industry Trends in 2023

What Is Management Consulting?

MBB Target Schools in the US

PowerPoint for Consultants

Working Hours in Consulting

M&A Consulting

Roland Berger Consulting Case Interviews

Free Guide to OC&C Consulting Case Interviews

Management Consulting Firms in Singapore

Consulting Lingo

Consulting Recruitment

Work-Life-Balance in Consulting – Everything You Need to Know

Coffee Chat Questions in Consulting

Consulting Survival Guide

Excel for Consultants

The Pros and Cons of Working at a Top Consulting Firm

How to Get a Consulting Internship - Tips and Tricks

Start Your Career in Consulting now

Consulting Salary in Australia

Overcome Your Weaknesses with ChatGPT for Your Consulting Career

What Is Sustainability Consulting?

Consulting Salaries in France

Become a Top Consultant: The Consulting Recruiting Process

Well-Known Tier 2 Consulting Companies

The Role of Diversity and Inclusion in Consulting

The Most Interesting Consulting Firms Besides MBB

What is Automotive Consulting?

Consulting Salaries in the DACH Region 2024

Consultant Salaries in Canada

What Is Change Management Consulting?

The Typical Terms in Case Study Interviews for Consulting Firms

What Is Leadership Consulting?

Remote Consulting: The Change in the Work Life of a Consultant

The Resignation Letter in Consulting

Is Doing an MBA or MiM Worth It For a Consulting Career?

10 Rumors About Management Consultants

Restructuring Consulting – What is it?

16 Personalities Test

Mastering Communication Skills in Consulting

Stay informed and navigate the future of consulting with confidence.

KI revolutioniert die Beratung! McKinsey, BCG, Bain und EY gestalten d

Smart Solutions for a Sustainable Tomorrow: AI in Consulting

What Are Decision-Making Frameworks And Why Are They Important?

Consulting Salaries in the United States 2024

Top Consulting Firms in the US - Best Firms to Work for 2024

Are you ready to embrace the next era of consultancy?

Top Consulting Firms in Germany - Best Firms to Work for in 2024

What Is The Difference Between Sustainability Consulting And ESG?

Related Cases

Related Case Interview Basics article(s)

Similar Questions

Shall I accept Uber, Amazon or try to get into a tier 2 before MBBs applications?

How to use my time properly for case prep?

Can I apply for internships in consulting even after graduation?

Related Products

GYM Program - 5 Sessions by Francesco

Related Articles

Consulting Career Path

BCG Case Interview

Consulting Industry Trends in 2023

What Is Management Consulting?

MBB Target Schools in the US

PowerPoint for Consultants

Working Hours in Consulting

M&A Consulting

Roland Berger Consulting Case Interviews

Free Guide to OC&C Consulting Case Interviews

Management Consulting Firms in Singapore

Consulting Lingo

Consulting Recruitment

Work-Life-Balance in Consulting – Everything You Need to Know

Coffee Chat Questions in Consulting

Consulting Survival Guide