Job Discussion Forums

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

As I come toward the end of my year of employment here in KSA. I am reflecting on things, I wish I would have done and checked out more thoroughly before arrival. I wish I would have interviewed at least 3 individuals extensively that were working at my organization in detail. Saudi needs foreigner teachers much more than we need Saudi jobs. ( I guess that's a bit relative depending on your situation) I think smart prospective employees should interview the companies as much as and probably more than they interview us. If you're coming through a recruiter they should be able to provide 3 decent employees that can say generally positive things about their situations, if not, I would steer clear of any place that can't do this.

I talked to one person via Skype a few times and wrote an email to another through my recruiter, but really wish I had talked to at least three people via Skype before committing to anything. My employer who will remain nameless, until I finish my contract probably isn't the worst in the lot, but definitely has a good air of scum, lying and deceit in it. As I just watched two more teachers leave this week and have now counted that over 50% of the staff doesn't make it through their contracts due to being stick of the nonsense here, I wish I would have checked up more on my situation more before accepting. I will finish most likely, only three months to go, but I would say if you have some basic standards 80-90% of the companies, institutes, schools and universities here are questionable. The last 10%-15% or so seem to be honorable players and deserve expats as employees. Accepting a position over here because it's quick and easy is a very good way to find oneself in a lousy situation that you will either leave or spend a year regretting. So for all the prospective newbies looking at coming over for the next school year I would highly recommend vetting your employer completely and having any and all questions satisfactorily answered prior to arrival and confirmed through Westerners that are presently here.

johnslat · Posted: Sun Jun 02, 2013 4:54 pm Post subject:

Dear scot47,

Waiting for your "Choose your master wisely" post Very Happy

.

Dear bertonneau,

I'd call that an excellent post. I hope that every teacher who's considering going to Saudi reads and heeds it. Very Happy

It could save him/her a lot of grief.

Regards,
John

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

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

Yes, You are correct I came over here with optimism and hope based on talking with a recruiter at length for three months and at least 10 hours. No I'm not joking, I talked to this guy at length. I also made contact with a few folks as mentioned before at the institute. I now know I should have done more extensive research and hope others can and will avoid mistakes I've made, for a better experience than Ive had based on my mistakes.

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

Yes, You are correct I came over here with optimism and hope based on talking with a recruiter at length for three months and at least 10 hours. No I'm not joking, I talked to this guy at length. I also made contact with a few folks as mentioned before at the institute. I now know I should have done more extensive research and hope others can and will avoid mistakes I've made, for a better experience than Ive had based on my mistakes.

johnslat · Posted: Sun Jun 02, 2013 5:25 pm Post subject:

Dear nomad soul,

What you wrote is, of course, true. However, that would mean there's really NO way to check out prospective employers.

Well, expect for checking out sites such as this one. And even then, one never knows if the person supplying the info is being totally up-front and honest.

It's a crap shoot, I suppose. But if a prospective teacher does a lot of research and "critical reading/thinking," that, I'd say, ups the odds of not landing IN the crap - at least somewhat. Very Happy

Regards,
John

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Even the desperate would be well advised to do some research before heading of to the Arabian Peninsula, intent on making their fortune.

janesusan · Joined: 01 Jun 2013 Posts: 9

thanks OP for taking the time to post about your experiences in saudi. I don't discount the option of a contract there as i think it may be a sensible choice in my situation.
i'm assuming you're male, have you met any female teachers during your stay who were making a best of their time and not regretting being there? how did you find people to talk to on skype? And, if you don't mind my asking, why did you decide to work in saudi in the first place? obviously for the money but other factors come into play like lack of credentials and experience teaching Arabs before making a sideways move to greener pastures like the uae.

intrepid traveler · Joined: 06 Feb 2013 Posts: 48

I am female and I lucked out getting a direct hire position. The information on Dave's led me to pursue this rather than go with a contractor. I must say, though, that much of what was said about my university here on the forum was utter garbage and the negatives highly exaggerated. It seems to me to be one of the best gigs in town.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

EYEBALL · Joined: 17 Apr 2013 Posts: 34

Heading home very soon. I'm looking forward to meeting some Saudi's and returning the "kindness" they have extended to me in this hell hole place! Twisted Evil

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Ask them to explain the use of the apostrophe in Modern English.

inKIMtax · Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 14 Location: U.S.A.

Thank you so much for your advice. If you were to return to Saudi to teach at the university level, which recruiters would you recommend? I mean, which are the best of the worst? I would like to work at Princess Noura in Riyadh. Thanks! Smile

l2chill · Joined: 20 Jun 2013 Posts: 5

inKIMtax,

If you're looking to work at PNU, your best bet would be to apply for a direct hire position through University of Auckland via teachaway.com. If you aren't able to get in that way, you can try the back door (contractor). The benefit of the back door is if your performance as a teacher is "stellar", you will probably be asked to transfer to PNU direct hire the following year.

As of this semester, AETG was doing fairly well as a PNU contractor. However, each year the list of contractors for PNU changes slightly, so the jury's still out on the upcoming semester. I would assume Edex still has the contract, but I've heard conflicting reports on SBC.

Keep in mind that both have fairly bad reputations as contractors.