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vva
Joined: 19 Sep 2010
Posts: 42
Location: NY, USA
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 Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 6:32 am Post subject: Top 3 ISSUES with WORKING In the KSA? |
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Please provide a concise list about WORKING (not LIVING) in the KSA?
There's a lot of steam about the living arrangements, lifestyle, etc. and although that certainly effects work habits, especially when contracts are +1yr, I would like to know, strictly, which issues are the most important/stressful/annoying that one could expect to face in terms of employment
and, if possible, how to avoid/resolve them.
an additional note: I ask for your PERSONAL top 3 issues with employment in the KSA
Thank you  |
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It's Scary!
Joined: 17 Apr 2011
Posts: 823
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| Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 6:40 am Post subject: |
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My! Aren't we the demanding one on answers...and concise ones at that!
I'll immediately hop to making my list for you.
After I post it, I'll bring you a cup of tea...anything else?
You're welcome! 
It's not a native-speaker's way of eliciting help on a discussion board! |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 6:56 am Post subject: Re: Top 3 ISSUES with WORKING In the KSA? |
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| vva wrote: |
Please provide a concise list about WORKING (not LIVING) in the KSA?
There's a lot of steam about the living arrangements, lifestyle, etc. and although that certainly effects work habits, especially when contracts are +1yr, I would like to know, strictly, which issues are the most important/stressful/annoying that one could expect to face in terms of employment
and, if possible, how to avoid/resolve them.
an additional note: I ask for your PERSONAL top 3 issues with employment in the KSA
Thank you |
Odd questions. In fact, whatever responses you get could be the same regardless of where in the world the job is, including the US. What's your objective in asking such questions? If you feel the need to ask in order to gain tips on becoming confident and managing conflict when working in the Kingdom, then you personally need to seriously consider looking for work elsewhere in countries that aren't so "challenging." I don't say this with any disrespect but rather, with a dose of reality. |
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vva
Joined: 19 Sep 2010
Posts: 42
Location: NY, USA
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| Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 7:23 am Post subject: Re: Top 3 ISSUES with WORKING In the KSA? |
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| nomad soul wrote: |
Odd questions. In fact, whatever responses you get could be the same regardless of where in the world the job is, including the US. What's your objective in asking such questions? |
Yes, you've got a point in that there shouldn't be a problem in the KSA that hasn't been experienced elsewhere. I just wanted make sure I wasn't missing anything as to why so many still make the KSA a major exception.
The boards imply that the living conditions are what primarily turn people off, and if I'm assuming correctly in terms of employment issues:
1. Little to no administrative support
2. Payment insecurity
3. and maybe odd or backstabbing colleagues?
I wonder how many TEFLrs have worked in inner-city schools?
I would love to know how this compares...
| It's Scary! wrote: |
| My! Aren't we the demanding one on answers...and concise ones at that! |
my request could've been executed more kindly...and I like to embrace my inner FOB  |
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It's Scary!
Joined: 17 Apr 2011
Posts: 823
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| Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 7:30 am Post subject: |
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| my question could've been worded more kindly... |
As English teachers, words are about all we've got...
It's a "no-brainer!" |
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It's Scary!
Joined: 17 Apr 2011
Posts: 823
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| Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 7:32 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| my request could've been executed more kindly...and I like to embrace my inner FOB |
Gotcha!
It's what I excel in! |
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It's Scary!
Joined: 17 Apr 2011
Posts: 823
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| Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 7:39 am Post subject: |
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Forward Operating Base?
It's confusing to me! |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 7:45 am Post subject: |
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| vva: What's your interest in teaching EFL in Saudi Arabia? What are your TESOL qualifications (i.e., certs, degree, and experience)? |
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uh huh
Joined: 14 Oct 2011
Posts: 110
Location: United States
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| Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 8:09 am Post subject: Top 3 |
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Dear It's Scary!:
I demand that you continue to provide me with laughs.
It's true!  |
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vva
Joined: 19 Sep 2010
Posts: 42
Location: NY, USA
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| Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 8:48 am Post subject: |
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| nomad soul wrote: |
| vva: What's your interest in teaching EFL in Saudi Arabia? What are your TESOL qualifications (i.e., certs, degree, and experience)? |
No creds, just interest and some hope; I'd like to experience Saudi culture first-hand, and on a menial budget (not like I've got a choice there).
...but I just wanted the facts and it seems no one will contest my observations:
| Quote: |
The boards imply that the living conditions are what primarily turn people off, and if I'm assuming correctly in terms of employment issues:
1. Little to no administrative support
2. Payment insecurity
3. and maybe odd or backstabbing colleagues?
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Gulezar
Joined: 19 Jun 2007
Posts: 483
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| Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 3:37 pm Post subject: |
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With no credentials, you still might get work in Saudi, but nothing stellar. KAUST or ARAMCO are probably descent employers, but they only take those with outstanding qualifications. Even with KAUST and ARAMCO, you would be stuck in an ivory tower. With any other employers you would just be stuck. They do take your passport. Don't expect the comforts of a compound. It would be very unusual for a westerner to get to know any Saudi women. If you are Muslim, you could do umhra and you might be able to do hadj.
Five worse things. You can decide what would upset you most:
Poor housing and sport facilities for single women
The queen bee of the "haram" who will do anything to maintain her position
Harassment by the sex-starving men of Saudi
Giving up your passport
Restriction on movement. Your employer is your "maharam", so he can restrict you in any manner he wishes to. |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 4:03 pm Post subject: |
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| vva wrote: |
| I'd like to experience Saudi culture first-hand, and on a menial budget (not like I've got a choice there). |
I can only ask "why"? Do you speak Arabic? Are you Muslim? Do you realize that as a female expat teacher, nearly your only contact with Saudis is with your students... or harassment from the local men if you try to go out in public - on your own or even with fellow teachers? It is such a closed society - especially if you are out in the hinterlands.
Experiencing Saudi culture first hand is not as easy as you seem to think. Even if you are living there with an abusive employer trapped in a hovel with a room mate that you would prefer not to share a toilet and kitchen with... Have you considered Morocco or Jordan or Lebanon? Countries like this are far easier to "experience" than the closed societies of the Gulf. (pre-revolution, I would have recommended Egypt and Syria, but things are pretty unsettled there right now)
VS
(never fear... It's Scary will continue to needle you... good that you can see the humor... ) |
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It's Scary!
Joined: 17 Apr 2011
Posts: 823
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| Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 4:26 pm Post subject: |
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Got your PM vva, I get the initials now! 
And like VS said, thanks for seeing through the humour. John will recognize it as the result of a very long tenure in Saudi...Black humour, quick on the come-back and an incredible thickness of the skin.
Many newer posters here don't possess those qualities and, therefore, are not fit specimens for The Kingdom!
It's the way I got, get, and, will continue to get by!
Last edited by It's Scary! on Sat Feb 11, 2012 6:24 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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BadBeagleBad
Joined: 23 Aug 2010
Posts: 1186
Location: 24.18105,-103.25185
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| Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 6:01 pm Post subject: Re: Top 3 ISSUES with WORKING In the KSA? |
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| vva wrote: |
[
The boards imply that the living conditions are what primarily turn people off, and if I'm assuming correctly in terms of employment issues:
1. Little to no administrative support
2. Payment insecurity
3. and maybe odd or backstabbing colleagues?
I wonder how many TEFLrs have worked in inner-city schools?
I would love to know how this compares...
|
Five years in Chicago and Milwaukee.......#1 would easily be the same for Inner City schools, in fact, I recall one incident where I tried to get the Principal to intervene and enforce district policies - this one week after a workshop on how important these anti-gang policies were - and he blew me off. Payment insecurity, no, these were public school systems in major cities. #3, totally, all kinds of abusive things went on and nothing was done. There was even one teacher who was so verbally and mentally abusive that a student attempted suicide, but she was not fired, just moved to a different school. Took as much as I could, got out and never looked back. On a totally unrelated note, the best job I ever had, where NONE of these things applied, was in a small, Catholic school in a Chicago suburb. Fantastic supportive principal and vice principal, great parents, nice kids, good materials, excellent colleagues, but crap pay. Ironically, I think that played a role in having such a place - you had to be there because you loved to teach, you sure as heck weren't there for the money. |
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Dedicated
Joined: 18 May 2007
Posts: 972
Location: UK
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| Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 7:33 pm Post subject: |
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Gulezar wrote :
| Quote: |
| KAUST or ARAMCO are probably descent employers |
Was that a Freudian slip, Claudia? It certainly made me laugh. |
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