Job Discussion Forums

roywebcafe · Joined: 13 Jan 2006 Posts: 259

Had an interview recently for St Petersburg, Russia and was accepted for position. Later was offered a post in Saudi - immediate start. If i took the Saudi post would then have to cancel summer school contract i had already accepted. However it does pay twice as much as the Russian post and comes with free accomodation. The russian post begins september.

I have a week to think them over.

Financially Saudi wins but as i have never been to either country before am worried about making the choice. Saudi seems like a boring place, very restricted. How is accommodation in St Petersburg? So if anybody has been to either countries before or better still both like to know a little more about experiences. Am researching these.

The post in Saudi is King Khalid uni proposed by M2R global (Al Alamiah in email subject)

St Petersburg is Lexica centre of European languages

Sashadroogie · Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 12:27 pm Post subject:

Without a doubt, Russia wins! Come to the Motherland! Enjoy a full life filled with babes, booze, books, bright students, bright city lights. Not all of which can be found in Arabia. At least not without severe consequences if you indulge yourself.

In terms of salary, once you've established yourself, you'll easily double your income through private lessons. So the Arabian money probably won't be that much more after a few months.

Flats are basic though. Small, spartan, and not cheap. No swimming pools, sorry. But you'll be able to lead whatever life you want, for the most part, so long as you don't make a racket doing it. No moral police here. Just the secret police : ) Does your St Petersburg school offer accommodation? Makes a huge difference to your income, and to how hard a start you have.

Just to be transparent, I have not worked in Arabia so cannot help with a comparison. Have not lived in St Petersburg either, but know the city fairly well. In any case there is no comparison!

Come to Russia, a country that is expanding again! Come and join the party!!

fat_chris · Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 3198 Location: Beijing

Sashadroogie · Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 12:55 pm Post subject:

Dear respected comrade Chris!

The Party would like to communicate the following ideological sentiment to your esteemed person: Right back at ya, fat boy! : )

With Communist greetings

Sasha

fat_chris · Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 3198 Location: Beijing

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

Ah, the lure of big Saudi money... I looked at that particular job ad from M2R. Be aware they're a recruiting agency that handles the screening and interviewing for some of KSA's main (and quite sketchy) contracting companies. This is why some of us regular Saudi forum posters advise going direct hire if your qualifications are solid (i.e., relevant MA + a couple of years of uni-level experience).

Anyway, in no way can you compare KSA to Russia. I suggest you compile a list of your personal pros/cons for each teaching and living situation (factoring in the country's cultural environment) and then decide from there. But personally, I'm with Sasha on this one. Wink

roywebcafe · Joined: 13 Jan 2006 Posts: 259

I was thinking if i made enough money i could fulfil the pro's about visiting a country in the future. My qualifications are CELTA + first degree. The max offer works out at 13,800SAR about £2,177

Russia has a probationary period 6 weeks paying 8750Rubles a week for 18hrs, then it goes higher to about 50000+ for 24hrs after tax

jaffa · Joined: 25 Oct 2012 Posts: 403

Sashadroogie · Posted: Fri May 02, 2014 6:55 am Post subject:

Dear respected Jaffa

Come to Russia too! Relearn how to enjoy an ample, fully-rounded life! Milk of human kindness!

The Party awaits. You daren't refuse the embrace...

With Communist greetings!

Sasha

johnslat · Posted: Fri May 02, 2014 12:20 pm Post subject:

"The Party awaits. You daren't refuse the embrace... "

Who could refuse a BIG bear hug?

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/06/29/article-2009541-0CC9CB9800000578-828_634x874.jpg

Regards,
John

jaffa · Joined: 25 Oct 2012 Posts: 403

MuscatGary · Posted: Fri May 02, 2014 1:02 pm Post subject:

I'm tempted to go there and join the Party ( and the party), after all it's not often you have the chance to see a new Soviet Union formed at first hand!

damn_my_eyes · Joined: 13 Jul 2013 Posts: 225

Most of the adverts I see for Russia look terrible.
30 contact hours in a language mill with shared accommodation and all for around a 1000 dollars a month.
Even Stalin couldn't make stuff like that up. Personally I'd suck it up in Saudi for a year and save some money.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Saudi is fine if you are self-reliant and capable of keeping yourself amused. Do you read books ?