Job Discussion Forums

[van_6000]

Hello,

I would like to ask for some info, on university work in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

I am 45 years old, Greek passport (but English is my main language), a history Ph.D. from a UK university, and have worked both in the UK and Taiwan � although the greatest amount of my experience is in ESL in Taiwan (but no ESL certificates or qualifications). Also, I am married to a Taiwanese lady and we would be bringing two small pets.

I am trying to see if there may be any opportunities for teaching history or Political Science (taught in English) in Dubai or in that area.

If so, then I was wondering if it would be realistic to expect reasonable savings (nothing extravagant�I just don�t want to move there just to make ends meet-- although I DO hope we can have continuous air-conditioning, safe neighbourhood, and good medical coverage),.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Van

[nomad soul]

You could try www.higheredjobs.com.

[van_6000]

I just had a look there, Nomad. thanks.

However, it seems it is a job search engine (and so, thanks again because I am sure I will be needing it very soon). There does not seem to be any info on the issues I am considering. Like whether teaching history in English in a Dubai University is realistic? Whether the cost of living will be less than the salary (so I can have savings) etc.

Am I using that link incorrectly?

[van_6000]

By the way, is there any info in this forum or anywhere about the differences between Dubai and Abu Dhabi?

I searched this forum but so far I have not found anything. Mind you, I am new here so I am sure there may be something I missed the first time around.

Any help would be most appreciated.

[nomad soul]

Since this is a forum for English language teaching, I provided the www.higheredjobs.com link because it includes a variety of university-level jobs and you stated you wanted to see if there might be opportunities for teaching history or poli-sci. You don't have a TEFL cert and your PhD is in a non-related field, which makes it tough to get a decent-paying TEFL gig. So it might be worth it to check out the link for jobs in your field and you could certainly email universities directly to see if opportunities for history professors exist. However, I think it's a bit premature to start seriously contemplating job perks, your potential savings, and costs of living in the Emirates at this point.

[Iamherebecause]

At UAEU I know people who teach History through the medium of English. Not sure exactly what they teach to whom, as I know them as friends rather than colleagues. UAEU is in Al Ain which is in Abu Dhabi Emirate. Look on the UAEU web-site for available positions. Salary and the general package are better than OK.

[diodeone]

[helenl]

With the PhD you might try looking at Sheikh Zayed University and the American University of Sharjah.

With no EFL pieces of paper you are probably out of luck - most good positions require a related MA and several years of post grad experience.

[Eisenhorn]

CUD is looking for a history professor.

http://chronicle.com/jobs/0000713858-01

[van_6000]

Thanks, everyone. I appreciate the help.






..

[diodeone]

[Gulezar]

By the way, is there any info in this forum or anywhere about the differences between Dubai and Abu Dhabi?

Both are nice places to live with lots of shopping malls, night life, beaches and chances to get out and enjoy desert wildlife, too. Dubai has MORE shopping and night life and beaches, but Abu Dhabi is coming on with its own film festival, cultural offerings, lecture series and WOMAD. It's only about an hour and a half from one city to the other, so you can easily hop back and forth for a weekend. 60,000 AED will get you a small studio with gym and pool in Abu Dhabi. 60,000 AED will get you a one bedroom with gym and pool in Dubai. The luxury apartment market crashed in Dubai a few years back, and many people made the daily commute to work in Abu Dhabi and enjoy the Dubai lifestyle. However, there has been a recent boom in development in Abu Dhabi and the housing options are really opening up, even on the island of Abu Dhabi.

Oh, most people seem to save more in Abu Dhabi. Dubai is consumer culture on high-octane.

[van_6000]

About half a year after my original post, I have had many setbacks and disappointments with job-hunting (History is not in great demand and my many years of teaching ESL in the Far East do not come with a TEFL certificate).

I would be, again, grateful for people's input on the following:

I am now thinking, due to sheer desperation at this point, of looking for ESL-related agencies which recruit less qualified teachers, like me. I realize that this opens the door to exploitation.

I remember Nomad Soul who wrote,

[helenl]

Unfortunately, without any qualifications on paper it is extremely doubtful if even the bottom feeders would look at you.

Certainly no employer that provides the regular offshore benefits (tickets, housing, medical, etc.) nor the legal residency/working docs because the Ministry would not approve you for entry/residency.

This is not a country where you want to work under the table even if you are on the list for visa on arrival countries (I don't know if Greece is) because then you would have to make visa runs regularly which would also cut into your time/money (which you wouldn't make very much of) plus having the stress of possibly being arrested and deported.

Give up the GCC for EFL gigs until or unless you get at least some acceptable type of EFL qualification on paper - the Gulf is obsessed with hires having the right letters after their names and the paperwork to substantiate it.

[Dedicated]

van_6000,

Perhaps you could consider taking a 4 week CELTA course, or possibly the DELTA, as you have years of ESL experience.

This would give you at least a minimum EFL qualification and get you on the application ladder.