Job Discussion Forums

[telliot33]

Hi everyone, this is my first posting in the forums.

I'm a single Canadian male in my mid thirties with a B.Ed and a CELTA and have been offered an English teaching position located in Arar in the northeast region of KSA, close to the Iraq border. The package looks decent ($3,000 US monthly, accommodation included, etc.). Although the salary isn't as high as many positions in Saudi, I'm a relatively new teacher with limited experience so that plays a factor.

I can't find very much information online about this area other than that it is a mining town with a population of about 240,000. I'm just a little concerned about the isolation factor and what it would be like to live here, including safety considerations.

I did stumble across this article that certainly doesn't give me much confidence, calling Arar "a miserable little town that seems to make news only for its beheadings, its lurid poverty (uncharacteristic for Saudi Arabia), and on occasion, its complicity in secret American military or rendition operations."

http://middleeast.about.com/b/2008/02/28/saudi-arabia-beheadings-riots-and-inmates-mtv.htm

Has anyone taught in or been to this area, or otherwise have any thoughts? Any input would be hugely appreciated, thank you!

[scot47]

I taught in Hafr al Batin which is a stop on the "Tapline Road" about 4 hours before Arar. We knew that there were 3 or 4 "Western" teachers in Arar but ne ver actually met them. Very small place but it is on the main road and there is a regular SAPTCO bus from Dammam. Maybe from Riyadh too. Self-rel;iance will be the big thing ! LEARN ARABIC !

Be aware of the effects of isolation on mental hygiene and accept that EFL in this part of the world attracts the Mad, the Bad and the Downright WEIRD !

[telliot33]

Thanks for your response. I actually decided to decline the offer, I was just a little too concerned about all the unknowns with this place. Not maybe somewhere I want to go for my first teaching experience overseas.. I've decided to focus on Asia at the moment, probably a safer bet.

[veiledsentiments]

Good decision... these obscure jobs in the middle of nowhere in Saudi are NOT for newbies. Asia is a much better place to get some experience for the CV.

VS

[scot47]

More on Arar !