Job Discussion Forums

[bertonneau]

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]

Dear scot47,

Waiting for your "Choose your master wisely" post .

Dear bertonneau,

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

It could save him/her a lot of grief.

Regards,
John

[nomad soul]

[bertonneau]

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]

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]

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.

Regards,
John

[nomad soul]

[scot47]

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

[janesusan]

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.