Job Discussion Forums

tigress · Joined: 03 Jul 2014 Posts: 23

Hello all,

Been doing my fair share of research for my move to Saudi. Have received some positive feedback from another teacher (non-South African) who worked for Al Khaleej. He took the time to share much of his knowledge- which is deeply appreciated.

I'm going on a limb to ask for some feedback from South Africans who've recently been recruited to teach in Saudi. Would especially appreciate those who've been recruited through Skyline and Al Khaleej, just your experiences and any advice for a new esl instructor (from South Africa) to Saudi. I've also been assigned an 'embassy approved' visa agent in PTA, while I'm in KZN, so any advice on the visa process would also be appreciated. Just started the visa process and I'm expected to leave early August.

You are welcome to pm if that suits you better.

Thank you in advance to whoever has objective input.

Regards,

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

Also think about joining one or more of the widely-diverse expat Saudi forums. Start with an Internet search on south african expat saudi.

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

Where is PTA and KZN?

tigress · Joined: 03 Jul 2014 Posts: 23

@ Nomad soul- thank you- have been looking at such sites and blogs. It's difficult to know which ones are worth registering on as there's such a variety. I'm happy to note the consistency in the most of the content I've read so far. Smile

Thank you for your advice.

@Plumpy nut- I'm assuming you are not South African, so firstly we have provinces instead of states. Then we have two different capitals- Pretoria (PTA) is the administrative capital while Cape Town (CT) is the legislative. Most embassies are in PTA, KZN is KwaZulu - Natal which is a province approximately 600 kms away from PTA.

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

I was briefly recruited by Al Khaleej, then I never heard from them again. Not that big a deal really, just another hiring company.

tigress · Joined: 03 Jul 2014 Posts: 23

What citizenship do you have? How long ago were you recruited? How far along the visa application process did communication stop with them and were you recruited through Skyline?

Thank you.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I heard some time ago that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Riyadh was discouraging recruitment of teachers from South Africa. A rumour ?

tigress · Joined: 03 Jul 2014 Posts: 23

Rumours start somewhere...although I was recently recruited and received my contract in less than 2 weeks.

I also know of another South African that may start during the same time as myself.

Any idea the reasons for discouraging recruitment from South Africa?

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I heard that the South African Government made a request that Riyadh stop recruiting teachers.