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Sur University College

 
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kaw



Joined: 31 Mar 2003
Posts: 302
Location: somewhere hot and sunny

PostPosted: Sun Jun 08, 2003 10:39 am    Post subject: Sur University College Reply with quote

Just be very careful if offered a job at S.U.C. If you are into teaching High School then sure -you'll probably be fine but if you're thinking of coming here to teach "University" students - ha. Fooled you.
Staff at S.U.C. are all - (well except the ones that are mad) - pretty ok - most have been here nearly a year with a few having been here longer. Admittedly 4 have left since September - for various reasons - as one was only employed in September and the other in December - it should make you think.
The administration of the college is pretty awful - accommodation isn't up to much - new flats have been promised since November time. Morale at the present time is pretty low. Students are being moved up to levels way beyond their abilities - and therefore when it comes to marking exam papers " marking down" is a common occurence. Exam pass mark is 40% which should also tell you something about the place.

Away from the college, life isn't bad. Ok if you can't drive - it can be a problem - not much to do except sunbathe and swim. Cost of living is about the same as in the UK.

Anything else you want to know - just ask and I'll try and answer.
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El Gordo



Joined: 22 Apr 2003
Posts: 35
Location: Turkey

PostPosted: Sun Jun 08, 2003 9:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I received a message from Professor Ossman that I am to be invited for interview in London in July. I see from their website that the salary for teachers is only OMR 500 - 600 (GBP 780 - 940). The lower figure is only about the same as I am earning in Turkey. Does Oman generally pay less than the other Gulf states? If, as you say, the cost of living is about the same as in the UK, I am wondering if it is worth my while even going to the interview as I almost certainly wouldn't accept an offer on those terms.

The reason I was interested in Oman is that I understand it is possible to socialise with the local population, unlike in Saudi and UAE where a virtual apartheid exists between foreigners and locals. Is that the case, in your experience?

I read in the Job Information Journal that the accommodation is in an hotel, in two rooms which have been knocked into one. Would you say the accommodation is of satisfactory standard, i.e. fully furnished and equipped with all necessary cooking utensils, etc.? Also, what sort of area is it in?

Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated.
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zakiah25



Joined: 09 Feb 2003
Posts: 155
Location: Oman

PostPosted: Mon Jun 09, 2003 2:41 am    Post subject: local conditions Reply with quote

Sur is a coastal town approximately 350 km from the capital, Muscat. They are connected by a fairly good road but the local drivers are horrendous (this is a bus and taxi service connecting Sur with Muscat). I believe that accommodation for Sur University College was provided at the Sur Beach Hotel and this was because one of the owners of the college also owns the hotel. It's about 5 km from the town centre and the souq.
I heard that the salary was low but there are other places in Oman that you could try - the Teacher's Colleges are usually chasing English Language Instructors (check the website for the Ministry of Higher Education) and the salary is higher, also try Sultan Qaboos University.
Good luck
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kaw



Joined: 31 Mar 2003
Posts: 302
Location: somewhere hot and sunny

PostPosted: Mon Jun 09, 2003 4:36 am    Post subject: S.U.C. Reply with quote

Hi
If you're only being offered between 500-600 then I really would think twice about coming. That sort of salary is fine for Turkey as things there are pretty cheap - (I was there for a couple of years) but for here - you do need a bit more. Yes, Unfortunately salaries here are lower than in other places in the Middle East. A word of warning - if the figures on the web site are true then you are being offered less than existing teachers are on. May give you some indication that they are looking for cheap staff to replace the old ones to whom they are paying more..........
Sur is a very small place and ok - so it may be 5km from the town but the taxi's are cheap and a lot of teachers have got their own cars.
If I were you I'd go to the interview - as long as it isn't too inconvenient - and listen to the crap they come up with. An idea of what the interview will consist of - and these are questions taken from last years interview - "how would you teach the past perfect and the past simple?" "Explain the differences between the 2nd and 3rd conditional and how you would teach them".
According to the famous grapevine the Dean - (Prof Ossman) is leaving shortly - possibly just after the interviews.
So something else to think about.

Ok now as for getting to know the locals - it is sometimes possible though there is a large ex-pat Indian community here. To meet the Omani's it's probably best to get to know your students and their families or meet people through friends of teachers already here.

You may want to try Hawthawn Muscat - who were advertising on tefl.com a while ago. It is also affiliated with Melbourne University Private and
owned by the same sheikh.

As far as the accomodation goes - it is very basic - cooker, fridge/freezer, table and chairs, pretty uncomfortable sofa, bed, dresing table and 2 wardrobes. It's fine as a temporary measure but for any longer...............You may however be offered a "teachers flat" - if they are ever finished - and can't tell you anything about them I'm afraid.

Hope this is of some use. Be very careful with the money they are offering you - if it really is so low then I'd look elsewhere or stay in Turkey. It's a great place anyway and you can actually have a life there.

Oh the joys of going to the Yesil Bar on a summer evening.........
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El Gordo



Joined: 22 Apr 2003
Posts: 35
Location: Turkey

PostPosted: Mon Jun 09, 2003 1:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the info, KAW and Zakiah25. On balance I think I'm probably better off where I am, but as I'll be in the UK anyway for July and August I might just go to the interview and see what the Dean has to say.

In fact, I answered an advertisement from the Omani Ministry of Higher Education in the TES on the same day as Professor Ossman's, but I have not had any response so far.

If they do make me a good offer and I decide to give Sur my consideration, I might get back to you with a few more queries, if that's OK.
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manonatrain



Joined: 06 May 2003
Posts: 88

PostPosted: Tue Jun 10, 2003 4:52 am    Post subject: Sur College think again .... Reply with quote

Twisted Evil

Your joking. Salaries for teachers in Oman BEGIN at 800 Omani Riyals,
and climb upward to 1400 for Governmet contracts. Expect either a huge apartment and a car if not a 50 -75 omr car allowance per month.

I understand that some teachers there recieve around 850 or 800,
newer teachers have been recieving around 700 omr and now they
are LOWERING the salaries. A good sign Rolling Eyes

You will be living where I hear more than half the staff live,
in a one-star motel the BEST WESTERN, run down
with three dubious bars.
Your flat is in the parking lot. I have seen them when I visited Sur, and heard horror tales. Hardly safe, and considering your an expat in the Middle East is this where you want to live.

Try searching the language centers and Dubai for a better deal,
and a better company.
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kaw



Joined: 31 Mar 2003
Posts: 302
Location: somewhere hot and sunny

PostPosted: Wed Jun 11, 2003 9:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Don't know if u are still in Oman or not but some of your info is wrong. Having done a lot of research on this the colleges are no longer paying so much with most of them starting around the 500-600.
Maybe you could tell me where to find these 800+ Rial jobs.
As for teachers at SUC getting 800-850 - there are a couple - literally - one of who was offered that much as they came after the September 11th thing and no-one wanted to come over.
You are definately right about the flats - they are in a car park and really not the place for a woman to be - due to the gambling and other such activities being carried out by Omani men using one of the "flats" opposite.
On saying that - they are only "temporary" - new flats are being built and apparently should be ready by the end of June - I ctually though this meant this month but knowing what it's like here it could be next year, the years after or whenever.
Anyway - to finish - for anyone even contemplating coming over - DON'T DO IT - you will not be able to have a decent life/buy a car etc on the salary they are offereing.
Current staff are pretty much determined to leave the sinking ship but are waiting for the end of their contracts so they don't lose out on the cash.
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Belmont



Joined: 12 Jul 2003
Posts: 125
Location: Southern California

PostPosted: Sun Aug 17, 2003 6:27 pm    Post subject: Arab Cultural Institute Reply with quote

Hello friend,

Would you have any info on the Arab Cultural Institute in Oman? I was reading this thread about salaries and housing to get an idea about the salary range in Oman. It seems it's getting lower and lower all over the Gulf. I could live with a salary that's on the low side IF the job were bearable. Any info you have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Jim. Very Happy
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veiledsentiments



Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA

PostPosted: Sun Aug 17, 2003 10:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have never heard of the place, but perhaps you should start a new thread on this board rather than putting it under Sur Univ College. Be sure to give more information - like where is it? what are they offering? What are your credentials and expectations?

VS
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Scots Chick



Joined: 27 Apr 2004
Posts: 3

PostPosted: Wed May 05, 2004 9:07 am    Post subject: Sur - what improvements since these postings in 2003? Reply with quote

Hi folks,

Have read this existing thread with interest (and some horror Twisted Evil !!) as I am in the process of applying for an EFL job at SUC.

The thing is, I am really intrested in the job (lack of social stuff to do won't be too much of a problem as I am starting my TEFL Diploma so will be studying in my free time) and would be interested in any updated comments as those listed are from 2003.

Particularly any positive comments....?!
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