Job Discussion Forums

Down Home · Joined: 30 Jun 2005 Posts: 22

I have an interview tomorrow for a job at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah. Does anyone have anything good or bad to say about teaching/living there?
Both my husband and I would be teaching.
They're offering 11,000/month, plus 17,000 housing per year (presumably double that for the 2 of us.)

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Sheikh N Bake · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1307 Location: Dis ting of ours

VS is right; universities in the Gulf do not double up on your housing benefits. And SR 11,000 isn't very good.

Asda · Joined: 01 Jun 2008 Posts: 231

Well, I know a friend of mine who is working at KAU and they will not double the housing allowance for teaching couples - it's even on their website (look roughly halfway down this page):

http://www.kau.edu.sa/centers/elc/ELC%20Jobs.asp

Now, all things being equal, it is probably one of the better adult (tongue very much in cheek) EFL gigs in J-Town. You are only required to be on site for teaching and office hours. I hear some 'fellow colleagues' try to inform on teachers who come late and/or miss/cut office hours. It's 18 hrs/week teaching + 5 office hours.

OK, 11K is not great but unfortunately, there are nowhere near as many high-paid jobs nor as much volume of jobs compared to Riyadh (hey, it's the capital) and the East (all the black stuff under the ground is there). If money is the aim of the game, universities in more remote areas pay quite a bit more like Hail, Tabuk, Taif, Jizan etc but they are well baddu (bedouin)! I mean, it's their country but it would be very difficult to get by without reading and speaking Arabic.

If you want any more info and/or advice, happy to be of service or 'ay khidmah' as they say here! Very Happy

Down Home · Joined: 30 Jun 2005 Posts: 22

Thank you, all, for the great information. As we have been working with a recruiter, I didn't have the info about the university, or even know which uni it was until today. That's very helpful.
We'll see what happens, but I will push for a higher housing allowance if it comes to that. We like our creature comforts.

se_bocere · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 19 Location: Mancs

I work at KAU and things are not going very well here to be honest. To be fair, we are in a transition period with a new director at the helm. He is over ambitious and tends to take everyone's advice, whether it is good or bad. Teacher's attendence is priority here and many of the teachers believe that they are even being watched by students.

As far as salaries go, it's okay. If you come with a working spouse you will not get double on the housing, furniture, or any other allowance.

I would advise people to look reaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaly hard for other options before coming to KAU or Saudi.

Sheikh N Bake · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1307 Location: Dis ting of ours

Why would you be offered only SR 11,000? The job site clearly states 17,000 for BA holders and 18K for MA holders.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 4:29 am Post subject:

Asda · Joined: 01 Jun 2008 Posts: 231

Sheikh N Bake, I believe that's referring to the housing allowance.

In some ways, it's better to apply with your Batchelors degree with more experience rather than a newly obtained Masters. Though my friend said they will work out both ways and give you the one which pays you more (WOW!).

I have the formula for working out your basic salary, it's quite convoluted but PM ,me and I can give you a rough indication. All I need is the number of years experience. Do bear in mind that non-higher ed years count as half.

se_bocere · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 19 Location: Mancs

Don't be fooled. Everyone gets 17,000 ... BA, MA, it doesn't matter.

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 3:48 pm Post subject:

Sheikh N Bake · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1307 Location: Dis ting of ours

Asda, the OP says

"They're offering 11,000/month, plus 17,000 housing per year (presumably double that for the 2 of us.)"

So she's referring to the pay as 11K. The job link says 17K for bachelor's and 18K for master's.

Asda · Joined: 01 Jun 2008 Posts: 231

se_bocere · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 19 Location: Mancs

AND AS I STATED ABOVE .....

I WORK AT KAU AND THEY ONLY GIVE 17,000 REGARDLESS IF YOU HAVE A BA OR MA.

This is on the website now:

A housing allowance of SR. 17,000
If a husband and wife are both employed in the Kingdom, a housing allowance will only be paid to one of them.
(http://eli.kau.edu.sa/content.aspx?Site_ID=126&lng=EN&cid=9427&URL=www.kau.edu.sa)

matthew156 · Joined: 30 Jan 2009 Posts: 140 Location: The Majik Kindom

Since we're on the topic of KAU, I just got an email from them for a telephone interview. I've already committed somewhere else in Saudi, signed contract and all. Should I go through the motions with them and not burn my bridges (networks)? Maybe even see what they are offering.

Regards.

Matt