Saudi Explorer – Nouf AlDossari
Saudi Explorer-Nouf AlDossari is ready to explore
Introduction and Journey in Saudi
I am Nouf AlDossari, 23 years old, born and raised in the United States, yet my parents are hard-working Saudis by blood. We had come to Saudia for a few days but due to the COVID outbreak, we got stuck here. It was then that there was a positive turn in my life. My old medical issues were not leaving me, but I wanted to move on. However, after I arrived here, I began my own exploration.
Problems prevented you from reaching this level.
I was born with Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney, a very rare disease. It pretty much shattered my whole life. Damage to the kidneys from this disease can make it hard to live. I used to have two kidneys, but I lost both of them. In 2002, I had a kidney and liver transplant but only got one kidney. After that, my life wasn’t easy. I was taking medicines that help the kidneys and liver work. I was usually in and out of hospitals all the time. When I was young, I thought I was too sick to do anything or that I wouldn’t live past the age of 10.
How did you come out of all these health problems?
I had a heart murmur and had to have Open Heart Surgery to fix it. Even though I was only 16 at the time, I kept going. I’m now 24 years old and have done a lot. I now realize that no matter how hard life gets, I will still fight and move forward. I will fulfill my dreams, which is my basic right. Moreover, a person becomes brave after repeatedly coming out of death bed. Here, the COVID pandemic made my belief firmer that life is too short to just plan to carry on your dreams. You have to be practical and take initiative as soon as possible.
What a remarkable journey you traveled. We would now love to hear about the colorful journey of your content creation
At first, the lockdown in Saudi took us through a period of depression like the rest of the world. Later, I realized, that this was nothing that I suffered earlier. It all depends on an individual self-motivation to get out of chaos or situation. Wearing a mask and abaya, I randomly used to visit several cafes and give reviews. I was lucky to grab some crowd’s attention, gaining confidence about the quality of my content. I already had a lot of awareness related to my illness. Thus, I started speaking on mental health-related issues and how to overcome depression and anxiety during a pandemic.
People were not coming out. They listened to my lecturers online which was not boring at all. In these lectures, people used to get better relief Because I used to provide them with content loaded with fun, and laughter.
Well, what are your hobbies apart from these amazing qualities?
Videography, Hiking, and Netflix are my basic spare time activities.
As you are brought up in the US, how much it’s difficult for you to spend time in KSA?
After living in the United States for twenty years, leaving behind a network of friends and familiar places was an extremely difficult experience. It was a cultural shock for me. Although back in 2012, we made our final trip to Saudi Arabia, I was completely unaware of Saudi Arabia’s modernization until recently.
Were you homesick at the beginning?
Yes, I was literally homesick in the beginning and got extremely introverted. Generally, I was scared of meeting people. Later, I came out of all my apprehensions, when I met many kind people. They appreciated me and my work and were motivated to bring more quality to my content. I literally found new friends around me and my home sickening got diminished.
Now, when you are back in the U.S. what is your affiliation with Saudi/Riyadh? How do you connect with it?
Most of the time through social media and searching the internet(googling). I keep going out and visiting random places. Sharing my latest content and connection with my followers all over the world, especially in Saudi and U.S. make me more energetic and optimistic.
How this idea of content creation and Saudi explorer came into your mind? What motivated you the most to start this?
Here, it is interesting to tell you that Saudi explorer was not the first name. Previously it was related to food making and was named as “Sweet and Savory”. It started in the US for small businesses around 2018, then Saudi Explorer emerged, almost 2 years ago. Initially, I started as a YouTuber, without showing my face.
While posting for mental health, I got some good responses. It was a great achievement when one of the persons responded that you saved her life because of the mental health post. So, Then the desire to save people’s lives kept increasing in my heart. Consequently, my journey took its solid routes.
What do you think is necessary to become a good content creator?
The most important thing in this regard is to avoid fake stuff. Your content should be original and genuine. Secondly, you must figure out what the basic thing in your content that people like the most. Once you got to know it, you should bring consistency and more knowledge about this in your content.
Considering your content creation, what is your major goal?
Off course, my major goal is to inspire and motivate people, how to get out of hard times and how to overcome all your apprehensions by just loving yourself. It is achieved by exploring yourself and inspiring others with your strong determination.
Are you being called for promotions?
Yes, however not paid but it doesn’t matter. Hard work and dedication are what matter most.
How do you find this changing and revolutionary KSA? How is it now for women?
This is great, and I am happy about it. It has opened up a lot of doors for women. I think getting women to go out there was hard because they were probably scared. I feel like Saudi Arabia needs to push it better. I see a very bright revolutionary KSA, especially for women out there. Especially women are more prone to change as compared to men
How do you find the work of other content creators?
There are many people who are masters in their fields and are achieving milestones. Everybody has his/her own mid-set. Social media has been working as a very convenient platform to display all kinds of skills in any individual. I also follow and get inspiration from some very magnificent vloggers to gain more updates and quality in my content.
Is this teamwork or is it you’ll credit yourself only for all your achievements?
No, the credit mostly goes to my family. Although, I never show them in my videos and I also don’t show my face anywhere in my videos. The reason is my focus is my content and for that face revealing is not necessary.
As an influencer or content creator are you appreciated for your reviews?
I don’t think influencers or content creators are the same thing. I am a content creator and focus more on imparting constructive capability among my followers. I give my honest reviews and am appreciated the most for my honesty. People follow me as if they are actually getting some actual facts.
Have you ever made a video that turned out to be embarrassing? What is the worst and best event you have faced?
Many times, things don’t go as planned. I also got too excited and sometimes hit a wall, tripped, spilled soup, and put my niqab in it. One woman yelled at me to stop taking pictures or making videos rather than look around my situation. There are such types of multiple embarrassing moments that make me laugh whenever I recall them.
My best experience is that the owners and managers loved my work. They kept on asking me to come back again and to film again for new items.
Do you consider yourself a successful content creator? What do you think are the key points for a successful content creator?
I really don’t see myself as very successful. I feel like I have to work harder on my content. I can only suggest you some useful tips based on my short span of experience. Firstly, the more you practice the more you bring quality. Secondly, the journey to success is a very slow process. Only your consistency, originality, innovations, and practice can bring more spark to your content.
Quote By Nouf
“No matter what happens in life, choose to get up and keep fighting”
