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scat
Joined: 26 Jul 2004 Posts: 1
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2004 8:39 pm Post subject: new teacher/ first time teaching abroad |
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I've got premove jitters. I've accepted a job at a school that I've since seen some negative stuff about on this forum, but at this point I feel committed. I guess I'm just looking for some encouraging words and any advice, especially about stuff I shouldn't forget to bring. |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2004 10:57 pm Post subject: |
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Scat,
Why don't you tell us who you have accepted the job with. As a first time abroad teacher, we may be able to help you to avoid a major mistake.
Some places that get bad press here might be fine for you - or they may have improved since they were complained about.
There are worse things that one can do than back out of the wrong job. If you fear posting the name on the board, send me a private message.
VS |
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byromaniac
Joined: 05 Aug 2004 Posts: 9
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Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2004 4:48 pm Post subject: Re: new teacher/ first time teaching abroad |
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scat wrote: |
I've got premove jitters. I've accepted a job at a school that I've since seen some negative stuff about on this forum, but at this point I feel committed. I guess I'm just looking for some encouraging words and any advice, especially about stuff I shouldn't forget to bring. |
Hi Scat,
I assume you're coming to UAE since you put your messsage here?
I'd say go for it. You won't know unless you try and your regret for deciding not to come here may be more of a burden to bear than a few pre-trip jitters in the long run. I had nine days to get ready to come here and I have not regreted my decision one bit, to get up off my culturally comfortable sofa and fly off to work in one of the loveliest, most unique places on earth - the UAE. |
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Sheikhdown
Joined: 29 Feb 2004 Posts: 17 Location: none
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Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2004 8:32 am Post subject: you're mad! |
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You're absolutely MAD if it is Abu Dhabi University!!! You have been warned mate! Bring about 3,000USD to get yourself back when they strand you over there. |
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Klem
Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 16
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Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 3:45 am Post subject: Advice for the first time jitters |
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Scat,
You're absolutely right about having jitters about where you are going, it's a shit of a place.
Then again, with a name like yours..hmmmm
Seriously, you'll probably do fine. A lot of the checks and balances we take for granted in the first world simply don't exist here, or worse, exist only in artificial form giving you a false sense of security. Be careful of investing energy thinking you're making a difference, or indeed you being there makes a difference...to anyone.
Expect to be used and occassionaly abused by an unfeeling institutional culture that will readily kick you out at a moments notice. Don't expect any help from the wider Arab culture either. You are jkust another expendible foreigner. The old saying, 'you're only as good as your last kick' is alive and well, so don't put in any more effort than you have to. Keep your head down and dont stand out in any sense. Someone in power or influence (from the students, to peers to managers) always takes offence, and then you'll be gone.
Be careful with your spending so you can watch the bank balance grow to a point where you can't stand the place any longer, and then leave the place and don't look back.
It's just a means to an end
Klem |
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Tuttifruitti
Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Posts: 75
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Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 8:56 am Post subject: |
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On the sunnier side of the fence, many people enjoy working here, don't have major problems at work (though this depends on where you work), have friends of many nationalities, experience new cultures and travel more than they would at home. |
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