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SK2012
Joined: 10 Mar 2012
Posts: 15
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 Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 11:20 am Post subject: |
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| You're right...it isn't a magic wand and I agree that it is important to realize that. What it is, however, is an opportunity to earn some more than decent money while gaining experience working in a fascinating part of the world.That experience will open doors. |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 1:10 pm Post subject: |
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| SK2012 wrote: |
| That experience will open doors. |
Not sure what doors it will open. I found that US employers in education were not at all impressed with overseas experience. Some find it a negative.
Take it as a personal experience and a little savings. A year in KSA won't provide much else. 
VS |
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cmp45
Joined: 17 Aug 2004
Posts: 1475
Location: KSA
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| Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 2:57 pm Post subject: |
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| SK2012 wrote: |
| You're right...it isn't a magic wand and I agree that it is important to realize that. What it is, however, is an opportunity to earn some more than decent money while gaining experience working in a fascinating part of the world.That experience will open doors. |
To be fair...it is possible the KSA work experience could open doors within the ME / Gulf region. However, I agree with VS that if you are expecting it to give you a competitive edge (open doors) within North America...not so much.
Perhaps one year would be best, if you only want a personal experience in KSA with no intention of working long term in the Gulf. The longer you stay the more difficult finding work outside the ME region. Of course you can expect Johnslat will come on to contradict what I just stated...as he has managed to find work back in the good ole USA after 19 years in KSA so guess depends on how good you are at what you do 
A side note: working only one year does not reflect well on a CV. In my experience, you will be looked upon more favorably with most employers(within the ME) when they see you have worked at least 3 years at one job.
Last edited by cmp45 on Sun Oct 07, 2012 3:13 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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SK2012
Joined: 10 Mar 2012
Posts: 15
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| Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 3:10 pm Post subject: |
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I should have clarified that I am looking to work in the region long term and, while I have signed a one-year contract, I would like to do 2 to 3 years in KSA but I am taking it one year at a time. I have no idea if it will help me get a job in NA in the near future but that is not an important consideration for me.
KSA is a good option for me but it may not be for someone else. I may get there and decide one year is all I can or want to do. I hope not. I view this as a challenging experience in a fascinating part of the world and an opportunity to earn some money. But, it is different for everyone! My only advice...do lots of research.
Good info, by the way, cmp45.  |
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cmp45
Joined: 17 Aug 2004
Posts: 1475
Location: KSA
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| Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 3:24 pm Post subject: |
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| SK2012 wrote: |
I should have clarified that I am looking to work in the region long term and, while I have signed a one-year contract, I would like to do 2 to 3 years in KSA but I am taking it one year at a time. I have no idea if it will help me get a job in NA in the near future but that is not an important consideration for me.
KSA is a good option for me but it may not be for someone else. I may get there and decide one year is all I can or want to do. I hope not. I view this as a challenging experience in a fascinating part of the world and an opportunity to earn some money. But, it is different for everyone! My only advice...do lots of research.
Good info, by the way, cmp45. |
Fair enough...one year at a time is really what most can manage to think about even with plans to stay longer...if you find a good employer the work tends to lead to many more years as well as more connections. |
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giovanni
Joined: 16 Oct 2006
Posts: 41
Location: Texas USA
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| Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 11:40 pm Post subject: |
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Totally agreed lcanupp1964, people who have only taught EFL have no idea what teaching is like when you have to teach ESL AND content like biology or language arts (which is what I'm doing now!). I'm ready for a cushy year with straight EFL.
I am not interested in going to the Middle East for more than a year. I'll save enough for my purposes in one year.
And I agree that my current/future employers here will NOT look at this stint as a selling point, they'd probably get a chuckle out of the line on my resume or be curious about it, but EFL is completely different from teaching in the US. With my qualifications I am confident I will not have an issue with getting re-employed in the US after a year in KSA.
I've been interviewing with PNU and will probably accept their offer to go in January if they give me one. I'll find out by the end of this week. |
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