Job Discussion Forums

[Sweaty Ted]

I was offered a contract by King Khalid University over six weeks ago. I signed the contract, scanned it to them, got my exhaustive physical finished, triplicate copies of my health report, getting them signed by the health dept. here, got my transcripts, my diplomas, will get the diplomas notarized and will get a letter from my university stating that I attended it (um, if they have your official transcripts and notarized diplomas, why on Earth would they need a letter saying you attended?), have my five photos, my money set aside, my passport.......


Now, the dean and the English department have not bothered to contact me for the past three weeks despite multiple e-mails from me. I am contracted to start on 8/25, but they have written nothing to me for over three weeks despite my many e-mails requesting information on flights, visa questions, etc.

In addition, the embassy never bothered to respond to any of my calls or my e-mails. What do you think, a sign from God saying don't go to this country that considers human rights a mere novelty?

[johnslat]

Dear Sweaty Ted,

Once again, it's Ramadan - NOTHING happens during Ramadan.

Human rights aren't considered a "mere novelty" in the Kingdom; they're considered non-existent.

Regards,
John

[Richard62]

There is nothing wrong with that. In fact it shows that everything is fine, because waiting for weeks and not receiving any reply after you accept an offer seem to be the norm in this country. If a Saudi employer replies to your queries and handles everything in a timely fashion, chances are that it is a scam.

[lcanupp1964]

Ted.

Take a deep breath...

Let it out...

Let's find a happy and peaceful place for the mind to go to...

OK > Here's the deal. We all know how you feel and what you are going though. Don't take anything personal. They are not ignoring you - they are just not doing anything - very, very little work (even more so with Ramadan starting). I know that your contract states �August, 25� - they ALL do. The good news is you got the job. They want you. The bad news is that I think you may not get to KSA until around Sept - maybe as late as Oct. I hope you get there on the 20th of August, but you really should mentally prepare yourself for the chance that you are going to have to wait a little bit longer. That�s the way they do things here. I'm sure many people would agree with this. Heck, I spent 72 boring days in a hotel checking my email every two hours waiting for a response from my school (KAU).

I have some advice: Stop sending out the emails. When they need to get back to you they will. It has taken me four years to get into that frame of mind, but it�s a lot less stressful if you can get there in your head. There�s nothing you can do to get them to speed things up. You�re saying to yourself, �Hey, if classes start and I�m not there, then I will be at a huge disadvantage. The school may be doing this for some reason � I�m getting singled out�. No. The mistake you are making is thinking with logic and common sense. Stop doing that!!!

[Sweaty Ted]

Thank you. I appreciate it. I am used to doing things on time and starting things when they are scheduled. I am rarely late for anything. I have been having a stressful day and I am overreacting.

Now, you said 8/25 is sort of a universal start date? With my western, Anglo-Saxon mindset I was under the impression that if you were not there by 8/25, you were toast! Thanks for filling me in!

As I said, a case of assuming others think the way I do. I am entering a whole new world.

[Sweaty Ted]

In addition, who paid for those boring 72 days in the hotel? My budget cannot allow that. Thanks once again.

[KME0050]

I have sent you a PM . . .

[desert_traveller]

[Gulezar]