Job Discussion Forums

[coratheexplorer]

I'm halfway through with a contract in the far East and am considering Saudi Arabia as a next stop.

I have been delighted with teaching as a field of work, and was lucky to find a good boss, reasonable work conditions, and things like that. But I find there is a lot of negativity (under the surface of course) in attitudes from the majority of natives in the country where I am (South Korea). Never from my students, they just do their expected kid antics. But from coworkers, random people in the street, friends of friends I have made, and even from parents on a couple of occasions. The coworkers really take the cake. They just don't want us here. It's xenophobia and nothing else, it seems to me, at the end of the day.

I know that a lot of other TEFL teachers feel this in South Korea, as well (though it seems gauche to admit it in company, which maybe is good). I'm wondering if in Saudi Arabia there is the same or a similar sense of negativity simmering under the surface. Like a love hate relationship. They need us but they don't want us around them messing up their pure, perfect world or something like that....

Please let me know, especially women, if this is true in Saudi Arabia. I am retired and by the grace of God don't really need to work. I really want to live in the Middle East but I don't want to go abroad again if this is the dynamic there too

ETA: clarification of who I was referring to with a certain pronoun

[johnslat]

Dear coratheexplorer,

I believe I can, without a doubt, advise you: you do NOT want to go to the Kingdom.

If you think South Korea was not very pleasant, I can assure you that life for a lady in Saudi is virtually certain to be even much worse.

Sorry.

Regards,
John

[coratheexplorer]

[johnslat]

Dear coratheexploreer,

"But is it because of difficult logistics of living? I'm up for adventure and can handle logistical challenges, homesickness, even impossible bureaucracy. However I don't want to deal with this strange dual inferiority/superiority complex that is rampant among Koreans."

On a multiple choice test, the correct answer would be "All of the above - and more."

". . . I just want to hear it straight from the horse's mouth."

I was there for nineteen years - with two different wives (at different times, of course .)

So, I guess I could be called "the horse's mouth" - although some might choose another part of a horse's anatomy.

Regards,
John

[nomad soul]

[scot47]

I was tghere for 117 yerars - with family and also single staus. My advice to the OP, "KSA is not for you."

[johnslat]

Dear scot47,

And yet, you don't look a day over 115 .

Regards,
John

[cmp45]

You say you are retired and do not have to work. I could think of many interesting places to teach rather than Saudi Arabia, if money was not a factor. Most people come to KSA for the tax free money. At the very least, if you were so very intrigued, taking a one year contract probably wouldn't do too much harm. Every experience can have an impact on one's perception of a place before, during and after...if you hold any dreamy notions about life in KSA and would like to hang on to them, I would advise not coming too

[coratheexplorer]

[coratheexplorer]

[coratheexplorer]

[coratheexplorer]

[veiledsentiments]

Cora... if you are interested in checking out the Middle East for the culture or whatever... why not a place like Morocco? People only go to the Gulf to make the tax free big money. I agree with all the other posts that Saudi is not the place for you.

We can give better advice if you tell us of your credentials... and age. If you don't want to put it on the board, you could send one of us a PM.

VS

[cmp45]

You may want to investigate Thailand. They have a pretty good reputation for plastic surgery. Despite the stereotype that many are only expert at sex reassignment more than anything else, if they can manage that they must be able to perform other types However, that may only be an option, if you already had the extra cash. If you are seeking a country specifically to teach in to fund the surgery Thailand may take longer to reach the amount you need.

Another factor which may or may not be a consideration is dependant on your condition affecting your ability to teach. If it is not visually noticeable then it is just a matter of finding the right employer in the ME. KSA also has quite a few plastic surgery centers and with a job providing medical insurance you may be able to have the surgery paid for or partially paid for or not? The problem is finding a decent employer. Despite the warnings, you would probably survive KSA for a couple of years. I wouldn't strike it off your list completely, but it is totally unlike any place you have ever been before and would take some adjusting to the restrictions which upon arrival may seem rather extreme to begin with; obviously there are quite a few expat women working in KSA so I would say many of the restrictions are manageable (women have alot more restrictions than men).
Good luck.

[nomad soul]