Job Discussion Forums

[Expat101]

I'd really like to give Saudi Arabia a chance, but everywhere I look it's all shared accommodation. This is frustrating! I'm not sharing my home for any reason. I don't care about their salary offer. I care about my sanity. Living with another ESL teacher that I have to work with would not make my life livable there. I need my own space! I know I can't be the only person out there with this disappointment. How do these employers in SA get away with this? They've probably had all kinds of problems with shared accommodation and yet they continue with it.

[scot47]

Kfupm do not give shared accommodation.

[Expat101]

Kfupm, is that the ONLY employer in SA that doesn't give shared accommodation? I've rarely heard of them hiring. Now, I don't wonder why.

[scot47]

British Aerospace offer huge salaries but you have to share - and inform on each other ! KFUPM give singletons and family men decent accommodation.

Recruitment for KFUPM goes on year-round
(Men only !)
www.kfupm.edu.sa

[nomad soul]

I don't blame you; being required to share personal living space with strangers is a huge turn off. This is also why direct-hire opportunities are preferable. Anyway, you didn't state which contracting companies you've applied with, but perhaps you should focus on those that indicate provision of a housing allowance.

However, if you're female, your housing options usually will be limited to either shared accommodation or an individual flat in a building with other female teachers. Obviously, the former is preferable. But there also may be one or two contracting companies that provide an allowance for their female employees.

[Expat101]

[nomad soul]

[Expat101]

I've been offered interviews and jobs for direct hire at certain schools, not just universities. But I've made it clear that I'm completely not interested in an interview unless they can offer private accommodation and I can see pictures of the place beforehand. These people expect us to be idiots I presume. They can't be trusted! It's risky enough to uproot and move to SA, let alone work with these people AND live with a stranger/spy. NO thanks! They really don't care, obviously.

[veiledsentiments]

I highly doubt that they will provide photos... that is nearly unheard of...

Get in writing that it will be private housing. You might want to search in the other Gulf countries as shared housing is rare in the rest of the Gulf... at least in tertiary education.

VS

[nomad soul]

[scot47]

Only time adults share accommodation is when in the military or in prison. Or working for some scabrous employer in KSA.

[Expat101]

Yes, I've been applying, but all places have come back saying the housing is shared with a private bedroom. This is unacceptable! I don't care what the salary is when I have to share my accommodation, especially with someone that I have to work with who is a perfect stranger to start. What is this, a university dormitory situation? No thanks! If some dubious 'employer' wishes to think I'm high maintenance or worse, I don't care. If they are a decent employer, they will NOT be looking for just a warm body to fill an empty post. They'll see that I have a lot to offer them and respect my wishes for a completely private house/apartment.

I wish I could 'like' what scot47 said!

[Expat101]

The reason why I want pictures beforehand is to know they aren't going to lie or break their promise to give me private accommodations. I also would like to see where I'm going to live for perhaps years. I think it's not such a big thing to ask for! Inasmuch as it's important for them to see a CV and picture of myself, it's equally as important to ME that I KNOW what I'm getting myself into! I have to invest in this move even more so than they will invest in me. I have much more at stake than they do. I'm talking about my life here and future happiness. This isn't some short holiday here! I'd like to stay for the long haul there. It's really hard moving half way around the world!

[veiledsentiments]

[Expat101]