Job Discussion Forums

[rainbowprof]

Anyone able to comment from personal experience on the PYEP program at University of Tabuk. What are the average work hours of teachers there? I understand the teaching contact time is 20 hrs per week which amounts to 2 hours overtime. What is the overtime rate? Do instructors/ associate professors get their own office? What might be the dress code- Do mean wear suit and tie?
Is rental accomodation easy to find in Tabuk?

Other comments on living and working in Tabuk very welcome.

[saudi-esl-lecturer]

Were you able to learn more about Tabuk? I am heading there this summer and am at a loss to get more info.

[rainbowprof]

no, not so easy to get a lot of information. The interviewer hasn't actually shared email addresses of other western instructors. What does it all mean... There are some other members on this forum who have lived there and have information about some aspects of life in that area. It seems to have developed considerably in the past few years judging from the population statistics I've tracked down. It appears to be one of the top 10 principal cities by population in KSA according to the Wiki god.

[nomad soul]

[rainbowprof]

I did ask these questions during the interview, though not the overtime pay rate. That seems a bit forward before I was even offered the job. The office situation- I was told there will be new offices and classrooms in Sept. so they aren't sure about the office space yet. Not a very clear cut answer but during an interview I want to seem easy going, adaptable and agreeable. I've been told several times that rental acconmodation is not difficult to find, the employer will help with it and they will put us up somewhere for a few days first. But if there is anyone independent with first -hand knowledge I'd love to hear it...

[nomad soul]

[Mushakil]

I am finding information on Tabuk is limited. I have an offer to work later on and I really want feedback only from people who are living and working there.

University environment???

I found a couple comments on Tabuk for those searching for info.

http://forum.virtualtourist.com/discussion-33676-1-1-Travel-0-0-Tabuk-discussion.html#questionID_33676

http://drmike-saudiarabia.blogspot.com/2009/06/blog-post.html

picture number 15 nice

http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2012/03/the-first-day-of-spring/100266/


Here is a thread with someone saying it is cleaner than Riyadh and housing is cheap

http://chronicle.com/forums/index.php?topic=87330.0

[AbeCross]

I received the offer from Mr. Tarrega in May. And I accepted it. However, he has not responded to my recent emails. Therefore, I must conclude that the offer is no longer on the table.

[vamanos12]

I think there is reason for some speculation with this school. I was given an offer several months ago but then have been waiting several months for the confirmation letter-basically a contract. I don't know if this is normal practice in the ME, but it feels like being strung along a bit??? But since getting a job in the ME feels like this great game of chance....I'm not sure it's out of the norm?

[SK2012]

Hi,

I thought I would share my experience with the University of Tabuk in case it is helpful. I am a female teacher hired for the PYEP programme. I received my offer from the University of Tabuk in May as well and last week received my visa slip (not to be confused with the formal letter from the university which I am still waiting for but have been assured will come; the process is extremely slow).

My university contact has been in touch with me regularly and has always responded to my queries. I have been told that I likely won't get my visa for the September start and they are flexible with that. I have been hired to teach at one of the satellite campuses but I don't know which one yet and will have no choice. I don't mind. Based on the information I received from my contact I have purchased the clothing I need for work (including the abaya).

I don't wish to give the impression I am dismissing anyone's concerns or experiences thus far with the U of T....I'm not . I am simply offering another perspective.

Teaching and living in Saudi will most definately be challenging and rewarding (including monetarily) but well worth it. It's the bloody paperwork that's a pain!

[vamanos12]

Well,
I like your faith in the process and hope it's warranted.

[shebab]

I share both Abecross and Vamanos's concerns. In fact, I have given up and assumed that the job is no longer forthcoming...If I do wake up one morning and find that the contract has magically arrived, I am not even sure I will accept anymore, juicy salary or not. After all, if it takes this long to get a contract, how long will it take to get the air tickets, iqama, housing, salary, exit visa...anything????

I have had snafus and delays in other Saudi jobs, but never at the beginning with receiving a contract. Sorry, but this feels like a red flag...

I'm just glad I never resigned from my current job!

[Dave99]

I had a long skype interview with Mr Taregga. The generous offer of employment soon followed with good amounts of information about life in Saudi Arabia. I was told to register with the Universities on-line registration system - I did so, but was replied to by an auto responder which said the depatment and job didn't exist. First warning.

Therafter no communication from Mr T despite several emails from me asking for updates. I eventually gave up when he informed me that the systems were not in place as yet... but everything would be fine. KSA is a long way to go on thin promises...

[AbeCross]

Dave: I am sorry to hear about this. You wasted your time without result.

I wonder if this has happened to many others? It is crunch time now.

[shebab]

It's always best to have a Plan B (and C and D, if possible!), always in the same country or region the first job is in. In the case of the U of Tabuk debacle, I switched to my Plan B, and even have my Plan C in case the Saudi visa doesn't come through!