Jake and Bethany Curtis are both teachers working for Aramco in eastern Saudi Arabia at the Udhailiyah employee compound. For them, living and teaching abroad has been a journey of enrichment and creating unforgettable memories with their daughters.

Jake teaches social studies for grades 6-9 and a STEM-based program called Future Lab for grades 2-5 where students get to tinker and create, while Bethany teaches third grade. The schools in this small Aramco community, while modeled after North American schools and curriculums, aim to give teachers the flexibility to be creative and take ownership of their courses, and both Jake and Bethany feel fortunate to work in an environment where innovation is valued, and learning is more than just a textbook experience.

Having met while studying abroad in South Africa, Jake and Bethany were drawn to the idea of living overseas, exploring new cultures and raising a family in an enriching environment. After starting their teaching careers off in Qatar and then Thailand, they set their sights on working for Aramco in the Kingdom, knowing it would provide not just financial stability, but also the sense of community they wanted for their children. They knew about the ease of Aramco communities and the relaxed compound lifestyle, and they were looking for opportunities that would grant them the financial ability to grow a family and be able to travel.

For Jake, the financial benefits of working for Aramco cannot be overstated. He mentions the teacher salaries are very competitive, more so than at other international schools, and he values the retirement plan, 401k, and other compensation benefits that are unheard of for most teaching professionals.

“I have dreams to retire early, which would never be a possibility before, and to be able to travel the way we do, and potentially retire early- it’s changed everything.” – Jake Curtis

Living in the compound has been a perfect fit for them, with the close-knit Udhailiyah environment allowing their daughters the freedom to explore and play, nurturing their imagination and confidence. Bethany explains that living in the Udhailiyah community was one of their key motivations for joining Aramco, to provide their daughters with a safe community where they can grow creatively and independently. 

Beyond the classroom, the Curtis family embraces adventure and learning. Whether it's camping in the dunes four or five times a year, visiting the amusement rides at Boulevard World in Riyadh, or enjoying the white sandy beaches of Ras Tanura, their weekends are filled with exploration. 

The family travels extensively, from Christmas holidays in Europe to trips across the Middle East and Asia, making the most of their proximity to unique destinations. They’ve also driven coast to coast within the Kingdom, met friendly locals in remote areas, and visited places untouched by most tourists. For them, these experiences create unforgettable memories and time together as a family.

The Curtises also value how living in the Kingdom fosters a deep sense of community. From Jake’s involvement in the local softball league to Bethany’s work with the Girl Scouts, since joining Aramco they’ve built connections with people from all over the world. The compound’s multicultural school environment, with small classes and over 20 nationalities represented, allows their daughters to learn alongside classmates from different backgrounds, enriching their global perspective.

“Everybody knows absolutely everybody. Everybody is celebrating everybody's birthday and it's really unique and special.” – Bethany Curtis

For Jake and Bethany, the choice to live overseas, particularly in the Kingdom, has benefited their marriage and the relationship with their kids a million different ways. The lifestyle the Company offers has given them not only financial freedom, but also valuable time together. The Curtises appreciate the simplicity and ease of their community, but most importantly, they can focus on the good things in life, like being creative and going on adventures with the girls

-This profile appeared as part of our expat recruitment campaign. To learn more about life at Aramco and view our open positions, visit our website.