Job Discussion Forums

[bohinj]

I read some confusing posts about how vacation days are calculated in the UAE. I'm still in the investigative stage in regards to schools but I noticed the HCT website says 61 days of vacation. Does this include weekends? (I thought someone on another post a few weeks ago claimed this.) Or, are the 61 days in addition to weekends and religious holiday that are available to take whenever you want as long as it works with the schedule?
Also, are the apartments provided pretty nice? I assume they are not in compounds.
Thanks.

[grand fromage]

I don't work for HCT, but all the institutions here are similar: the first and last weekend of the vacation is not counted but all the ones in between are, so in fact there are fewer work days than it seems. However, since there are so many days, it doesn't seem to be an issue. As for apartments, they vary from bare-minimum to luxurious. It's the luck of the draw, but even the most basic one will be better than what other places have to offer-everything is built here to impress, so it would be hard to get something unacceptable.

[veiledsentiments]

Bohinj

Compounds are only found in Saudi. In the rest of the Middle East you live wherever. (though there are a few places that have housing on their campus - like SQU and AUS) As Grand Frommage said, which apt you get is luck of the draw. Often it happens that the first newbies to arrive get the best flats.

I hope you weren't complaining about the 61 days including weekends. Compared to the US, this is hugely generous. For HCT, this number may include semester break of a couple weeks, this was a point of debate back when I was there and I don't know the outcome, but I'm certain that it doesn't include Eids and other holidays. These days tend to vary each year because they are on a lunar calendar. So, there are long, well-paid leave times in most places. One does get spoiled heading off for a couple of months of travel with all that summer pay in your pocket and a free ticket in your hand.

VS

[bohinj]

Now that I know the policy, no way am I complaining. Up until very recently my current school didn't offer any paid vacation! Now they have cut out medical insurance but have given us paid vacations. The UAE is looking very, very good.

[hmbaba]

Hello,
If it's holidays you want, UAEU is still probably the best deal - they might take a few extra Thursdays, but the mid year break is not counted in the 55 or 60 daysof vacation every year and there's a lot of non-teaching time when you get half time presence on campus.
Some places provide accom in the first year, but then once you know your way around the city, you can get a housing allowance and choose your own place.
Regards,
Heather Baba

[JCMach1]

I will let you know what the villas are like.

I will also be keeping a weblog of my experiences there as well.

http://www.usa2uae.com/