Job Discussion Forums

[veiledsentiments]

I agree... in the years I've been following the employment situation in the Gulf (since 1985) I have never heard of anyone being compensated for their expenses before they arrived in country. (other than visa requirements - medical and such - and ticket to arrive for the position) Housing? per diem? never...

Not in education... perhaps executive positions in business. (perhaps high education management positions? Deans? they never tell us peon teachers what they get and don't post here)

As to shared accommodations, this seems to be becoming more common in KSA, but I would never have even applied to an employer who required it and immediately withdrawn any application if I learned that fact later. Anyone who feels the way that I do about this situation should make sure that they have the housing situation in writing before they get too far in the hiring process.

VS

[Linguist]

[JustinC]

I did not, at any point, in my reply consider that your post, rollingk, should deserve anything resembling a message that consisted of "shut the hell up and stop whining". We, mostly, here try to give each other guidance in a vocation (EFL in developing countries) where little/none available to us from official sources.

Maybe my wording was inappropriate or insensitive. I will freely admit I can be worryingly insensitive at times so, please, indulge me; my heart is in the right place.

You mentioned a 'war zone' in your post; we are not far, at all, from ongoing wars and that must have some bearing on our environment and the psyche of our colleagues. It's a bit different here.

[rollingk]

[quote]Quote:

[johnslat]

Dear rollingk,

Your experience was certainly exceptional. I knew a good number of teachers working for American defense contractors (e.g. Raytheon, Lockheed, Vinnell) who weren't so fortunate.

Since it seems you're not working for the same contractor now, I'd say it's virtually impossible that you'll be reimbursed in that fashion this time.

Hope I'm wrong, however; if that's the case, please let us know.

Regards,
John

[lcanupp1964]

I think there are three types of teachers that come to KSA that could be grouped into three general categories: teachers that last 2 days, those that last two months and ones that last two years or more. The longer you survive in this environment, the more you have figured out how to survive by practicing three basic �rules�.

One: Never complain. The squeaky wheel does not get the grease. The squeaky wheel gets fired. If you compare and contrast what happens (or doesn�t happen) in your country to what happens (or doesn�t happen) in KSA and run around telling everybody you work with your �professional findings�, you will not survive long. Everybody knows what the challenges are and nobody needs to hear a new teacher hopping around shouting, �but it�s not the point, it�s the principle�. Make money. Go home.

Two: Never miss, nor be late for a single class. This should be a no-brainer.

Three: Take care of your students and make them happy. Do I expect you to only play games with your students and let them leave early? No, silly rabbit. I take care of my students by teaching them with as much effort, sincerity and humor as I can muster. Sounds sappy, but try it. Do you love teaching? That helps. If you don�t, then just fake it. Make money. Go home.

I'm not a perfect teacher by any means, but I keep trying. I have made a ton of mistakes during my 12 years in seven counties. Most of my mistakes were due to my big mouth. I have learned the hard way to apply the three basic suggestions I wrote above. I'm a lot happier now and my savings account is more robust.

Are you here to change the world, or pay your bills?

[rollingk]

[PattyFlipper]

[rollingk]

Yes. Not sure if Vinnell still does it, but not so long ago they put me up and paid a per diem until they had sorted out my visa.

lcanupp1964,

Thanks for your candor in explaining how you've gotten by. I was asking for advice, but not really advice about not getting fired. I haven't ever been fired, although I realize this certainly could happen, and probably will eventually. I'm surprised it hasn't happened by now.

About your 3 points:

point 2: Never miss nor be late for a single class. I agree unreservedly with you here.

point 3: Take care of your students and make them happy. I agree, but with reservations. Sometimes there are personalities intent on derailing the class. Classroom management skills will often tell the outcome here, but some very few students are so intractably set on mischief that only by bringing the class around to pressuring them will they unhappily allow everyone to go forward. These students will never be happy, and making them so is not my job, but the work of a mental health worker.

Point 1: Never complain. Yes, incessant complaining sucks. However, utter compliance with the stinky poopoo platter often served up in the region will only bring a worse assortment of the same for oneself next time. As with point 2, total capitulation with outrageous behavior or treatment is not at all necessary or responsible.

I agree that workplaces in the gulf are very unlike their western counterparts, and flexibility is an absolute necessity. However, it's not a matter of trying to "change the world" just because we don't encourage horrible working environments by accepting whatever is thrown at us. We don't need to do this for paychecks; they are not quite that difficult to come by.

[plumpy nut]

[veiledsentiments]

[scot47]

During indcuction perhaps, but for "visa-waiting time" ?

[al-Californian]

[sicklyman]

[rollingk]

I'd thought this forum was about more than merely surviving in the gulf.