Job Discussion Forums

posh · Joined: 22 Oct 2010 Posts: 430

Not really.

ultraman111 · Joined: 17 Sep 2011 Posts: 148

No....

ultraman111 · Joined: 17 Sep 2011 Posts: 148

No....

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I was well treated by KFUPM when I had open-heart surgery (a by-pass). The Assistant Dean then in charge ensured that I had adequate sick leave and when I returned after convalescence I was given a reduced teaching load.

lynnknows · Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 1:27 am Post subject:

WOW Scot47, Did you had surgery in KSA? How was the medical care there? I often wonder about how well the care is for emergencies. I have A-fib and I always pray nothing happens to me while I am abroad.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

"Abroad" is a big place and so is KSA. While working at KFUPM in Dhahran I was diagnosed as having Coronary Heart Disease. I was fortiunate because i had taken out health insurance through the university. After diagnosis I got a second opinion in Europe and then returned after vacation in 2003 for surgery which was undertaken by a South African specialist

I had a quadrupole by-pass at the Sa'ad Hosdpital in Khobar and recovered. Of the 100 or so teachers I worked with only about 10% had private health insurance. The others relied on treatmant available at the University Teaching Hospital for government employees.

Cost of my treatment was in the region of SR30,000 (=US$8,000)

On the health insurance issue, I remember being approached by an American colleague. He had been diagnosed with some rare condition which required expensive treatment. He wanted to know if he could take out health cover and get treatment. I pointed out that is not how insurance works. The figure of 19% of colleagues who took out the health ncover tells us something about the mindset of those working in the rfegion. MONEY, MONEY, MONEY

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I had major surgery in Oman and it was covered under our medical coverage per the contract. It cost me exactly -0-, was done by a British surgeon, and the care was as good or better than in the US.

Just like anywhere, it is a matter of your researching the local doctors and finding out who knows his/her stuff. Emergency care is a crapshoot wherever you are in the world I think.

VS

2buckets · Joined: 14 Dec 2010 Posts: 515 Location: Middle East

1 major surgery in Tehran, France trained surgeon, firrst class treatment, self -paid.
2 major surgeries in Dubai, Canadian doctor, first class treatment.
1 minor surgery in Abut Dhabi, Lebanese doctor, trained at Johns Hopkins good treatment.
Both mostly paid for by company insurance.
Do your research, get referrals, get second opinions.

Have good life insurance and a will in case things "go south."

bertonneau · Joined: 26 May 2009 Posts: 79 Location: Colorado USA

I agree that there has been too much negativity on Dave's Saudi site. So here's my positive experience with Ron and Chemtech International Services. I have had a huge host of questions and concerns about KSA. This gentleman has been professional and I'm not kidding when I say he has spent somewhere between 8-10 hours on the phone talking to me about any concern I've had. I feel he's been honest. I am going to be working for Al Hussan schools via the Saudi Aramco project in Dammam area somewhere. He has been clear on the contract, conditions and what I can expect in the future upon arrival. Yes, I expect a few hiccups along the way. Hey that's half the fun of it right?
You want the USA or Britain than stay there. I'm sure you can find many things to complain about in virtually any country if you look for them. Having worked in many levels of the US public school system the list of issues is long. I am going to make a salary that is the equivalent of a 30 year veteran teacher where I live, I have a pre-made curriculum that I have the freedom to change if I choose or just walk through and do nothing if I want. I have state of the art technology available in my class and from the one teacher I have talked with so far well-behaved students. So if you're looking for a positive KSA work experience with a professional recruiter that has 25 plus years of experience dealing with KSA ESL jobs. I would recommend you contact who I have mentioned. He calls it like it is, will work with you and has by choice worked specifically with Al Hussan schools for 12 years because they are honest and reliable. Chalk one up for the positive. Maybe this will help keep the momentum going.

MOD edit for name

ultraman111 · Joined: 17 Sep 2011 Posts: 148

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

What contribution does that make to the discussion ?

P_Pace · Joined: 07 Dec 2011 Posts: 22 Location: North America

EdEx is currently in a race for the bottom with ICCEAT for who is worse at PYP. So far, EdEx seems to be winning. Screwing up visas, paying late, blaming teachers for admin mistakes, etc...

When November comes, and people FINALLY get paid for vacation trips (etc..), I wonder how many teachers will not come back because they're sick of the BS? At least 20%, I'd wager!

fledex · Joined: 05 Jun 2011 Posts: 342

Edex gets consistently worse. Nothing good to say about them. Can't think of much positive to say about the other employers I had in Saudi either, though. The medical insurance can be good I guess, if you need it. Also, if you don't like working with the opposite sex, whichever sex you are, then Saudi is the place to be. So much for the positive.