Job Discussion Forums

[LZedia]

Hi all,

I've learned a lot from reading many of the old Omani threads. Still, I have some questions, so I look to your opinions and expertise for more information....

To begin with, my background is a little odd:

* I have a BA in English and International Affairs.
* 5 years of ESL teaching experience, both in Asia and the States; 3 of those years were at the college level.
* 5 years of experience editing/writing ESL/EFL textbooks for major U.S. publishers
* 10 years of editing/writing experience other kinds of books, including grammar, as well as experience tutoring individuals and groups of authors.
* And I've lived in 5 different countries.

- No CELTA
- No Master's.
- And note that my ESL experience is a couple of decades old, but I retain all 4 letters of reference I received at that time--for whatever that's worth.

(I don't know if it matters, but in case it does, I'm in my early 40s, though apparently I look a murky 30-something.)


1. What is my experience worth in Oman?

2. Also, I'm a little leery of the recruiters, to say the least. Can anyone recommend one or two of the least scary/most honest ones? And anyone know what agency is represented by @itsi.org?

3. As a single woman, and habitual city-dweller, how can I be assured of finding a decent job in Muscat? If Muscat's not possible, what should my second choice be? (Also, what small towns are worth avoiding, as a city-dwelling female singleton?)

4. My preference is direct hire. Can you recommend anything I haven't seen elsewhere or thought of? Thus far, I've come up with: SQU, but they're not currently hiring, so that's nixed. So is the University of Nizwah, which seems to have a mixed reputation. There are openings with some of the Colleges of Applied Science, so I'm thinking of applying directly with them.... Any other ideas?

5. How much can I expect to save in Oman? My habits are graduate studentish, at the best of times. I'm hoping to save $2,000 USD or more/month. Is this possible? I gather a standard salary should start at 1400 Riali (app. $3636 USD), and that the cost of living should run me app. $1000 USD/month. Would you say that's correct?

6. I love natural beauty, but I'm not a natural sports enthusiast. I'm also single. Will I feel comfortable going out at night alone--not anyplace wild--but to the movies or a restaurant? Also, what sorts of people end up in Oman? What are my odds of making other Western single-woman friends? What are the odds of meeting (and dating) single Western men? Who make up the majority of the Western Expats? Continental Europeans? Americans? Brits? Apart from teaching, what do they tend to do? Oil?

Thanks so much for all your help. It's appreciated!

[veiledsentiments]

With your complete lack of academic credentials and lack of current experience, SQU would not be an option even if they were hiring now (they are actually, but have just been interviewing at TESOLArabia and TESOL). Depending on how efficient the Ministry is at the moment vetting credentials, you may not even be eligible with the recruiters. To be honest, the recruiters are all pretty much the same... marginal at best. For direct hire, you might try UoNizwa as they are so desperate for teachers at the moment because of their high student intake this year, they may make the attempt to get you through the Ministry hoops. (the Ministry wants a TEFL cert and some years of current experience in full time classroom teaching)

Your chances of getting a position in Muscat would likely be nearly zero. With the few recruiters that place people in Muscat, you wouldn't have the seniority to get placed there. It is where many people want to be.

Remember that out of that 1400 OR number that you mentioned, you may also have to pay for a flat and furnish it. Unfurnished flats often require you buy the AC too. (and no... you can't live without it... ) You would also need to buy or lease a car.

Going out alone at night could be problematic depending on where you are. While the dating scene for a 40+ Western female is abysmal at best, going alone to restaurants or movies will likely get you hit on by all manner of local boys... and not in a pleasant way. Most of the single male Westerners will likely be too young, too "not interested in females," or not really be single as they left the wife and kiddies back home. This is not the part of the world to try to find "mr right." Most of the expats in education are Brits, Canadians and Americans... with a few Aussies and Kiwis in the mix too. I expect that there are still a few Brits working related to oil and the military, but perhaps not as many as there used to be.

You would certainly improve your chances of a job if you would get yourself a CELTA. That said... apply to anything and everything and see what happens.

VS

[LZedia]

Hi VS!

Thanks for the reply! I gather you don't think my five years of ESL teaching and 5 years of ESL editing count AT ALL in Oman? I wasn't expecting that.

Also, I'm not quite clear, though this is less relevant the less employable I am: Am I right in thinking that the cost of a car, and furnishing an apartment, and all the other non-covered expenses (food, air con) will add up to about $1000/mo +/-, leaving me with a couple of thousand extra each month if I were to make 1400 RO as a monthly salary?

Finally, just how grim is it there to be a single female, on a, say, 1-10 scale? Your reply made things sound much worse than I expected, in terms of personal entertainment (going out and about at night). Would I have many options for wandering about during the day, going to the movies, or a restaurant, and whatnot?

Again, thanks for all your help!

[veiledsentiments]

Hi LZ...

Oman can be oddly focused on current experience... what with your teaching being 20 years ago, I know that SQU wouldn't take it into effect. The recruiters are not so choosy... which has got them into problems and rumor is that the Ministry has tightened the rules. That said... enforcement can be spotty in this part of the world. That is why I say that you could just go ahead and apply to see what happens. I don't see the editing experience being of any value to the vast majority of Gulf employers.

As to the economics, it depends on where you are living as to rent - and how big? flat or villa... what kind of car you get - buy/lease used/new saloon/4WD... if you want internet at home... how fast? what about your phone? basic or smart phone? satellite TV? Will you want access to alcohol? (this can be a major expense unless you are happy with the occasional glass of wine when you go out to dinner at one of the hotels.) Furnishing a flat can be quite expensive if you need to buy AC units along with all kitchen appliances and washing machine. I would say that your minimum expenses if you are really frugal is probably about $1000... and not save anything for the first couple months while you get organized.

As a single woman of about your age when I arrived there, I didn't find it at all grim. Even though we had no cinemas, sat TV, or internet. I know that places like UoN have quite a few single women in their 40s and 50s and they have busy social lives. Going around in groups is much easier... and socially acceptable. It keeps the many unattached men from bothering you in some locales. In the smaller towns and villages especially, women wandering about on their own at night are considered to be 'available.' It just takes a bit of common sense really... shopping on your own is fine. I drove all around the country on my own... but always during the day. In my neighborhood in Muscat, I walked on my own daily - weather permitting - usually just after sunset, and I was rarely bothered. Most of the time it was my students who would yell "hi Miss" as they roared by. But, this was a heavily expat neighborhood.

But, I must emphasize that it is not that it is dangerous. The unwanted male attention is more aggravating when you just want to relax and enjoy the film or dinner or evening air.

VS