Job Discussion Forums

[Chuma]

[Opti]

[veiledsentiments]

[arslonga]

Does SQU arrange bus transportation to and from the university for teachers living off-campus?

[veiledsentiments]

[Whatever will be]

[Chuma]

[veiledsentiments]

I don't believe that whateverwillbe is at SQU - based on his/her posts which reflect conditions at recruiter based jobs in the hinterlands. Even my friends who swore that they weren't going to buy or lease a car did so within a month or so of arrival at SQU.

Affording a car depends on one's priorities and whether one is planning to stay for the full contract - which is 2 or 3 years at SQU. My advice has always been if one plans to stay for 1 contract, leasing is best... if one plans to stay for longer as most do there, buying is best.

VS

[Sydney2002]

VS is 100% right about the "status" of LC teachers with housing. It is a little bit unfortunate, but when you consider how many foreign staff our housing dept. have to deal with year-round, it makes sense that someone has to be at the bottom of the priority list. That is us. Also keep in mind that they are government employees and will never be terminated, thus complaining to and about them will do no absolutely no good. It will only make the situation worse.

I wish I could be a little more encouraging about the housing situation. My experience with them so far has been mostly positive. But I have gone out of my way to show appreciation to them when they help me (which they have done more than once) and to avoid complaining about things that are not absolutely dire. And as other posters have stated here, your housing really does come down to the luck of the draw. We are very much at the mercy of our housing dept. and it really pays off to do your best to maintain a good relationship with them.


Regarding the car/transport situation, VS is also correct about the absolute necessity of having one's own car. There are a few instructors at the LC who do not drive, but the majority of us cannot live here without our vehicles. I am one of those who insisted I would not drive here. Within a little more than one week, I had a rental car. Those initial 8 days without the car are not something I would ever care to relive here. Likewise, a new hire who came with our 2013 fall intake insisted on not driving during her first year and in March/April, she finally gave in, took driving lessons, got her license, and now has a car.

Despite the traffic disaster (and in Al Khoud, it IS a disaster in the early mornings), I still prefer living close to the campus. Teachers in Al-Zaiba/Athaiba have a longer commute most of the time, except during that peak morning period because they have other routes to get to campus where as we in Al Khoud are quite limited. The traffic is unavoidable if you have an 8am class and so it is best to plan carefully if you are not an early riser.

On another note, most of our male students are also housed in Al Khoud and find it very difficult to get onto the campus by 8am as well. By the time they get there, they have extremely limited parking options and will often arrive to class late and sometimes stressed. I actually feel for them quite a bit, especially when they're new.

In all of these situations, new teachers to the LC need to just come here with the mindset of being VERY flexible. But I think that goes for any newcomer arriving to any post in the Gulf, not only Oman or SQU.

[Sydney2002]

I forgot to add that some of the foreign staff at the LC and at SQU complain to housing about the most absurd things. I was in the housing dept. a few months ago and listened to a professor from one of the colleges complaining for about 20 minutes about being given a double bed instead of queen-sized bed.

These people make the situation much more difficult for all of us:(

[Whatever will be]

[veiledsentiments]

[Sleepwalker]

I work in Muscat at the same side as SQU and have a commute everyday.

I share a car with other staff and we pay the Omani driver a fee to take us to and from work. There is no standing around outside just a missed call just before arrival. We have the option of using him for other trips or taking a taxi.

People from car owning countries will say a car is essential but many teachers from other countries would disagree.

[Tazz]

Can't drive-don't want to.....2 driving related fatalities connected with my college in last 6-7 months.....roads are often dangerous....Omani youngsters only 'thrill' seems to be driving crazily....also, while the recreational/ shopping places in Muscat may make car ownership worthwhile, certainly can't say that about the interior towns!

[veiledsentiments]