Job Discussion Forums

johnslat · Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 11:55 am Post subject:

Dear VS,

"Now if we could only teach JohnSlat to use the quote function."

NEVER - I'm a copy and paste kind of guy; you can't teach an old dog like me new tricks.

And you can quote me on that Very Happy

Regards,
John

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Back to PNU - what is the rate of renewal ? How many teachers return for a second co0ntract ? How many do runners or go insane ?

abayababy · Joined: 26 Dec 2012 Posts: 109

Since this is the first year for direct hire, it's impossible to say what the rate of renewal will be. As far as I can gauge about 50% definitely want to stay, 25% definitely have had enough and the other 25% remain on the fence. I have heard there have been a few runners. We all went insane within a month. Insane is the new normal.

johnslat · Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 8:55 pm Post subject:

Dear abayababy,

You can be forgiven for not knowing that in Saudi, insane is the OLD normal.

Regards,
John

Sirens of Cyprus · Joined: 21 Mar 2007 Posts: 255

Most of us have been saying that for years, John. In private, of course.

johnslat · Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 12:29 pm Post subject:

I will cede abayababy this - from the viewpoint of a disinterested, distant observer, it does seem that for EFL teachers these days, the Kingdom is even more "normal" (i.e. insane) than it was previously.

I'd say this is due mainly to the introduction and increasingly widespread use of recruiters/contractors and "business/work visit" visas.

Regards,
John

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Only places I ever felt comfortable were the Looney Bin and Saudi Arabia ! And when I was with my pals, the Three Stooges.

Grendal · Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 8:59 am Post subject:

Just drove my wife to PNU new campus and we were both amazed at its size and complexity. LRTs between buildings because it is so huge and walking in 40 degree heat in an abaya is not a sane thing to to. Will keep posting on amenities there after she returns. I've heard initially that the cafeterias are not open yet and there is no internet access, unless you have your own 3G network on your smartphone, laptop or iPad.

Grendal

abayababy · Joined: 26 Dec 2012 Posts: 109

PYP just moved to the new campus today (teachers, not students so far), though we (direct hire) have lived there since the beginning of the school year, contrary to Grendal's earlier report. The EAP and ELDP programs have been here since September. There is internet and cafeterias and have been for quite some time. The walk from housing to offices is short and the monorail is convenient for those who choose not to hoof it. SBC, Edex and IGET contracted employees have a significant commute, or so I am told.

Grendal · Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2013 10:52 am Post subject:

yes. it is now contrary. I have received word that there is internet but you need a password. The cafeterias are open, with same old junk food as the old campus. Walking between campuses shouldn't be a problem for all the twenty-year-old new direct hires, but the SBC,Edex, and IGET old fogeys/fogies might prefer the LRT (light rail transit) or monorail. Haven't actually been inside to see how many rails there are on the tracks. Very Happy

Grendal

abayababy · Joined: 26 Dec 2012 Posts: 109

You need a password. Imagine that. Light rails run regularly for those that can't manage to waddle between buildings, though heaving ones self up the stairs to the train platform must put equal strain on the heart. This 50 something year old, along with many other middle-aged direct hires, manages just fine on foot. Those of us that can't stomach the cafeteria food pack our own lunch. There really isn't that much to whine about, but there are some who seem to do a lot of it anyway.