About Us
About Us
From A Dream To Reality: Our Story
The Problem
The Problem
Living in Saudi Arabia as expatriates, we faced an unexpected challenge: learning the local Saudi Arabic dialect. Despite trying countless methods — apps, books, courses, and private tutors — nothing helped. The available resources for learning Arabic focused on Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), which, while valuable, wasn’t practical for day-to-day conversations in Saudi Arabia. We loved the unique experiences Saudi Arabia offered, from evenings at an istaraha to exploring the desert, but without speaking the local dialect, we felt like outsiders, unable to fully connect with the culture and people around us.
The Clear Gap
We soon realized we weren’t alone and that most expatriates in Saudi Arabia shared the same struggle. It became clear that what was missing was a program designed not just to teach Arabic, but to help learners TRULY experience Saudi Arabic in a cultural and social context, while also helping expatriates build meaningful connections and embrace the cultural richness of the Kingdom.
Our Solution
Driven by our own frustrations and a vision to help others, we launched Arabius in 2020. Combining expertise in finance, tech, and linguistics, we developed the ICE Methodology to teach Arabic through immersive and experiential learning with native speakers. We started Arabius to provide more than just language sessions; Arabius is your gateway to deeper relationships, enhanced mutual respect, and a richer quality of life in Saudi Arabia.
The Future Is Bright
As we look ahead, our vision is to continue expanding the impact of Arabius to support Vision 2030 and the Saudi Arabia growth story. We're building a future where the language of connection knows no boundaries. Our dream is for every expatriate in Saudi Arabia to feel at home, fully immersed in the language and culture of this beautiful country.
Hear It From Our Founder
Hear It From Our Founder
Hear It From Our Founder
"I love living in Saudi Arabia, my family is here and all my kids have been born here so I always felt the need to learn the Saudi Arabic dialect; At the core of it, we started Arabius to help people like us - expatriates in Saudi.""
Joel Huffman,CEO,Arabius
Empowering Expats To Thrive in Saudi Arabia
Students
Learning Hours Completed
Guides
App Downloads
Meet The Dream Team
Joel Huffman
Founder & CEO
Joel is the visionary behind Arabius. Passionate about exploring new places, he also enjoys sports, CrossFit, and collecting Japanese chef knives. Iceland tops his travel wish list, and tacos are among his favorite foods.
Read More +
Tim Wilson
Chief Technology Officer
Having lived in many places, Tim brings expertise in tech development to Arabius. He loves spending time in the desert and exploring new technologies. A fan of Indian food, he’s also interested in reading and ancient languages, with the Réunion Islands as his dream destination.
Read More +
Matthew Buice
Chief Operations Officer
Originally from Los Angeles, Matthew’s background in linguistics drives his mission to help others connect with Saudi culture. When not at work, he enjoys going to the beach, playing piano, and photography. Italian food is his favorite, and he dreams of visiting Fiji.
Read More +
Joel Swearingen
Chief Strategy Officer
Joel’s strategic vision is the force that helps shape Arabius’ growth. In his free time, he enjoys desert hiking, playing basketball, and reading, with the Swiss Alps as his dream travel spot. Like many expats living in Saudi, Kabsa, and AlBaik are among his favorite foods.
Read More +Our Mission
“To help people enjoy the adventure of crossing cultures through effective and engaging
language and culture acquisition”
“To help expatriates in Saudi Arabia thrive through Saudi Arabic and cultural immersion.”
Our Core Values
Excellence
+1
Humble
Respect
Passion For
Learning
Creative
Thinking
For Individuals
Join thousands of learners today. Try our services for free.
Want to talk to us? Whatsapp or call us at: +966 538 511133
For Corporates
Empower your team to thrive in Saudi Arabia.
Want to talk to us? Whatsapp or call us at: +966 538 511133
in Saudi Arabia