Perhaps it is because of our relatively benign standing in the world that the Irish can get on particularly well in what is, essentially, a political hotbed. There are, of course, foreigners of all nationalities in the Middle East . . . for example, an estimated 35,000 Americans were working in Saudi Arabia in 2004 . . . but some enjoy a more welcoming time than others. It also has to be stated that most people will be living in compounds, somewhat removed from life on the ground, except in Dubai, which is a more western Emirate anyway.

There is, in fact, quite a bit to recommend a year's sojourn in the Middle East (Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and especially Dubai). Firstly, these are areas of huge cultural interest to many westerners who will be unfamiliar with the area. Secondly, in Dubai and other Emirates, as well as other parts of the Middle East, westerners will actually be part of an evolving society and economy, as well as rapidly growing cities, thus leading to an energized economy which will provide its own challenges and excitements to the workforce. Thirdly, the prices for world-class shopping could be described as bargain basement . . . you can get designer pieces for a small fraction that you pay in Ireland, or even in the US.

But overall, people are attracted by the tax-free salaries.

There is little more that can be said about this fact. But, to underline the point, salaries are tax free. Which means that you don't pay taxes on your salary.

And that's not all . . . salaries can also be higher in the Middle East, especially for disciplines such as nursing. A grade D nurse in Ireland can expect to earn 35,000 (and be taxed for the pleasure of it). But the same nurse could earn an average of 48,000 in Saudi.

With their accommodation provided. As well as all flights paid for, including a number of flights home. Not to mention other potential perks, such as up to 50 days of holidays, complete with two weeks holiday in a luxury resort, all paid for by their employers.

"Because of this they could realistically come home with 30,000 tax free in the bank, " said Neil Dunwoody, Commercial Manager with HeadHunt International, which is an Irish company which places suitable candidates in quality jobs around the world . . . including the Middle East. "This is great for somebody who wants to get on the property ladder, invest or even take some time off when they get back. Also, if they want to stay on, they get a very attractive re-contracting bonus, and very valuable experience."

HeadHunt International is currently offering a number of nursing and other medical positions in hospitals around Saudi Arabia. The King Abdulaziz Medical Cities hospitals are situated in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Al Ahsa . . . and the mission of these four hospitals is to provide the highest quality of primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare services to residents of the local community, the region and the surrounding Middle Eastern countries.

For example, KAMC Riyadh is a 900-bed state-of-the-art tertiary care medical centre, including a busy Cardiac Surgery and Liver & Kidney transplant Center, a 21-bed Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Care and Trauma Centers, in addition to advanced Medical, OB/GYN, Pediatric, and Surgery departments performing all major surgeries - including conjoined twin separation (13 conjoined twin separates have been performed successfully to date, which is a phenomenal record).

As an extra incentive, the hospitals are committed to career advancement, recruitment and retention of expert resources, as well as promotion of state of the art technology and nursing informatics. Part of this involves providing a broad range of internationally certified educational programs . . .

and, within Nursing Education, many of these courses are offered free of charge.

Contracts are for one year, with a sign on bonus equivalent to one-month's salary if people re-contract. But money is not the only incentive . . . there are also professional reasons to go.

"The standard of the hospitals are among some of the best in the world, and they are technically advanced in a number of key areas, such as organ transplantation, conjoined twins separation and neurology, " said Dunwoody. "This experience would be valuable to any potential employer on their return to Ireland."

Of course, the decision to move to the middle-east, even for a year, is a fairly significant one.

But, to sweeten the deal, migrant workers are offered free medical care and emergency dental care; a sports and social club; restaurant facilities; free bus transportation to and from work; and free shopping buses to nearby souks, shopping malls and districts.

Freedom can also be an issue in Saudi Arabia, especially for women, but the KAMC hospitals are the only hospitals to offer an open/free compound lifestyle i. e. the compound houses both male and female expatriates. This means that it doesn't have a curfew, nor does it need a late pass to re-gain entry into homes between the hours of 12.00 am and 6.00 am (as do the other hospitals).

Guests can also be invited into the compound.

Indeed, all things considered, Saudi Arabia could be the ideal solution for Irish nurses looking to broaden their experience. So who should apply?

"These opportunities are suitable for anybody who wants to open their horizons, and discover things that the may never learn in medicine here in Ireland, " said Dunwoody. "It also gives the person the chance to live and work in a different culture and a very progressive environment."

Just like home, then.