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Solar Strength
Joined: 12 Jul 2005
Posts: 557
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
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 Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 4:21 pm Post subject: |
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| 2buckets wrote: |
Gulf Arab students rarely study, do homework and will copy and cheat whenever they can. They call it "helping my friend" which is culturally acceptable.
Often teachers just ignore the cheating because if they report it, they may very well lose their job. I've seen it happen more than once.
Japanese students in my experience are hard working, diligent, honest and a true pleasure to deal with. (My Japanese students were mostly working adults).
私は日本が大好き |
2buckets,
You've just unwittingly described Japanese university students!
But, I also think that there is something to consider in your comments about Japan being perhaps more sophisticated - which I'll call boring and dry and lacking in passion - that makes for a kind of safe and non-threatening environment in which to live.
The Japanese government has become more *openly* right-wing in recent years, the Japanese are xenophobic and dislike outsiders and the cost of living here can be medium to quite high. Rent is the major expense, particularly in Tokyo.
Now, if one can tolerate the b.s. in a place like the M.E. that you described and still bank 30 grand a year, that's not something to dismiss lightly in exchange for a boring and spiritless existence in Japan.
I still think, however, the salaries (and benefits) at Japanese universities, especially if one is tenured, are just as competitive as those in the UAE.
And at least public drinking is tolerated in Japan and the women dress slutty, which may mean something to some guys as opposed to the social conventions in the M.E. |
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Solar Strength
Joined: 12 Jul 2005
Posts: 557
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
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| Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 4:40 pm Post subject: |
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| shibainu69 wrote: |
Japan is no longer the paradise it was, we have nuclear food, aftershocks and predicted end of the world quakes to worry about, from next march there will be a 10% general sales tax and other taxes will increase to pay for the fukushima mess up.
I just got a 5000 grand city tax bill its time to get out of this sinking ship. |
I just got hit with city taxes to the tune of about $4,500 dollars also, payable all in one lump sum or over 4 payment periods ending January 2014. Does the UAE also charge city taxes in the same way as described above? Or are taxes taken from each pay period? As a result of these expensive city taxes, I can only send money home home in August and November. The other months' salaries will be committed to paying off the city taxes. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 4:55 pm Post subject: |
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| Solar Strength wrote: |
| Does the UAE also charge city taxes in the same way as described above? Or are taxes taken from each pay period? |
This thread keeps switching between Japan and the UAE---two different animals. But anyway, in answer to your question:
Individuals who live in Dubai pay no tax on income, property, or capital gains. This does not mean that there are no taxes at all, however; import duties, which are taxes on goods imported from outside the country, are charged, as are taxes on property rental payments and some hotel and entertainment services. Local citizens contribute a small percentage of their income to social security. There is no sales tax, but there are high taxes on alcohol and other products that are considered haram (forbidden). Although value added tax (VAT) — a consumption tax similar to sales tax — is not charged, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recommended that the UAE consider implementing such a system.
(Source: http://www.wisegeek.org/is-dubai-really-tax-free.htm) |
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currentaffairs
Joined: 22 Aug 2012
Posts: 828
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| Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 4:55 pm Post subject: |
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I taught at universities in Japan for six years and I can agree with a lot of what has been said on this thread. Taxes and the cost of living were extremely high. I hardly saved anything while living in Japan.. I did have a healthy social life though, so if you budget and eat ramen all the time then you can save.
Now in KSA, I am saving a lot. But, I never go out and life is extremely boring. UAE will be better but still fairly humdrum, I am sure. Difficult if you have a family.
The other point about contracts is something to consider. At least in Japan if you have been working for 5 years at a university then it is next to impossible to fire you. You have some form of job security even as a part-timer. |
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Solar Strength
Joined: 12 Jul 2005
Posts: 557
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
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| Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 5:24 pm Post subject: |
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| nomad soul wrote: |
| Solar Strength wrote: |
| Does the UAE also charge city taxes in the same way as described above? Or are taxes taken from each pay period? |
This thread keeps switching between Japan and the UAE---two different animals. But anyway, in answer to your question:
Individuals who live in Dubai pay no tax on income, property, or capital gains. This does not mean that there are no taxes at all, however; import duties, which are taxes on goods imported from outside the country, are charged, as are taxes on property rental payments and some hotel and entertainment services. Local citizens contribute a small percentage of their income to social security. There is no sales tax, but there are high taxes on alcohol and other products that are considered haram (forbidden). Although value added tax (VAT) — a consumption tax similar to sales tax — is not charged, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recommended that the UAE consider implementing such a system.
(Source: http://www.wisegeek.org/is-dubai-really-tax-free.htm) |
Thanks, Nomad. |
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Desert Camper
Joined: 24 Apr 2013
Posts: 29
Location: Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE
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| Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 8:29 pm Post subject: |
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| nomad soul wrote: |
| Individuals who live in Dubai pay no tax on income, property, or capital gains. This does not mean that there are no taxes at all, however; import duties, which are taxes on goods imported from outside the country, are charged, as are taxes on property rental payments and some hotel and entertainment services. Local citizens contribute a small percentage of their income to social security. There is no sales tax, but there are high taxes on alcohol and other products that are considered haram (forbidden). |
This is certainly true, and you could also add to this list of 'hidden taxes' the fact that you have to pay for things here in the UAE that you would simply never have to fork out for in your own country, such as visas, ID cards, etc. However, we are more than compensated in that we benefit from cheap groceries (the amount I spend a month on groceries here is equal to a week's groceries bill in the UK) and very cheap petrol (approximately one tenth of the price in the UK). Add to this the fact that we have free housing, free flights, free medical cover, a gratuity, and more than three months off a year - fully paid - and you see we have quite a good deal indeed. As for the 'high taxes' on 'haram' products, why not just simply avoid such 'luxuries', or at least choose your entertainment avenues carefully? I often pop for a pint at the Rugby Club or the Gold Club in Al Ain and during happy hour a pint of Stella is but 20 AED, which does not seem unreasonable to me, and is certainly cheaper than the minimum of 5 pounds you would pay in London. Similarly, when I purchase crates of beer from Spinneys I never fail to be struck by the low price (about half of the price you would pay in the UK).
Of course, none of this means that saving money is a given. I personally send some 10,000 AED a month back home for long-term savings, and others I know save even more, but others I know have saved absolutely nothing - not a single penny - in ten years, and others, in addition to not saving a sausage, have gone deeply into debt, and this is certainly not best country in which to find oneself owing money to banks and credit card companies!
Some people are simply very strange when it comes to income, money management, lifestyle, and savings. I have come to see that how much one earns is but one factor in how much one can save, and I see now that it does not matter one iota how much some people earn, they will never save money, for they seem to set out with the express intention of spending every single penny they earn every month. Others seem to allow themselves to be sucked into weird lifestyles and end up living (well) beyond their means.
Really, when you think about it, how can you not save considerable sums of money when you have a high (tax free) income, an educational allowance for any offspring, free housing, free medical cover, and when you benefit from cheap groceries and even cheaper petrol? Nevertheless, some people I work with are up to their eyeballs in debt and just go deeper and deeper into further debt every month!
If you come to the UAE and earn 20,000 AED a month, then that equates to some US$ 60,000 (circa 40,000 pounds) a year, and that is tax free. You should save at least half of that year in year out, and, by making some simple choices, one can actually quite easily save 75% of that figure. If you don't, then what exactly is the point of living here? |
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shibainu69
Joined: 08 May 2010
Posts: 86
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| Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2013 2:10 am Post subject: |
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Im going to TESOL arabia this march. Is it worth it with a MA TESOL 3 publications and 5 years uni experience, 1 year Korea/4 years japan teaching writing? Will I be able to get a decent job? Im 35 while that factor?
One reason I cant get a good paying full time gig in Japan is my age since the unis work on age related pay scales. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2013 2:52 am Post subject: |
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| shibainu69 wrote: |
| Im going to TESOL arabia this march. Is it worth it with a MA TESOL 3 publications and 5 years uni experience, 1 year Korea/4 years japan teaching writing? Will I be able to get a decent job? Im 35 while that factor? |
Your age won't be a factor; however, you pretty much have to apply and get an offer to see what you're worth. Will you get a decent job? Not sure what you mean by decent, but the salaries and benefits are good.
Those two part time jobs (you initially presented them as one part-time position) and your lack of experience with Arabic speakers may be an issue or may not. Be aware, competition is high for UAE positions. If you're current with technology for learning and teaching, that's likely to boost your chances. |
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Desert Camper
Joined: 24 Apr 2013
Posts: 29
Location: Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Sat Jun 22, 2013 3:29 pm Post subject: |
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I do recall those lovely days when you got up in the morning and water would be pouring down the outside of your windows as if there was a torrential downpour outside... without a cloud in the sky...
You walk out the door of your building and your glasses fog up - as you swim through the "air" towards your car...
VS |
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Chuma
Joined: 21 May 2013
Posts: 72
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| Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 10:01 am Post subject: |
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| nomad soul wrote: |
| If you're current with technology for learning and teaching, that's likely to boost your chances. |
Which software programs and applications are commonly used by universities in the UAE?
Thanks. |
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Desert Camper
Joined: 24 Apr 2013
Posts: 29
Location: Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE
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| Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 2:13 pm Post subject: |
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| A fairly wide range of software and applications is used by the various higher education instittutions, though the current zeitgeist is, of course, 'mobile technologies', principally delivered through the iPad. Last year UAEU, HCT, and ZU issued iPad 3s to all foundation programme staff. At UAEU we have the iPad 3 (all students have one) and digital SmartBoards in every classroom. Many people also opt to use Blackboard, Moodle, etc. |
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