Vicci Thompson, spouse of a Saudi Aramcon, is the driving force behind the website, aramcoexpats.com. Using the name officially licensed from Saudi Aramco and the talents of her son Rusty Swayn, an Aramco Brat and the owner of Mindfly, a Web development business, in July 2002 Thompson officially launched this virtual community for Saudi Aramco expatriates.
“The mission of Aramco Expats‚ online community is to provide a global forum for Saudi Aramco expats worldwide,” said Thompson. “We are approaching 3,000 registered members and average approximately 1,200 visitors coming to the site each day from around the world. The site averages 35,000 hits per day.”
Some of the attributes of the site are an Article Section in which stories are published from expats and other contributors depicting Life in Arabia from the 1940’s to the present day. An area focusing on Events lists upcoming activities for both former and current expats. These include all types of happenings in the different Saudi Aramco communities and elsewhere in the world. One of the most popular sections of the site is the Gallery. Posted here are photos of life in the Saudi Aramco communities, annuitant gatherings, self directed group functions and expats enjoying life in Saudi Arabia and after they retire. The site also contains information on self-directed groups, an expat finder, a forum, a suq and free e-mail.
