Job Discussion Forums

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I regularly had books, DVDs and CDs sent to me by post. They arrived. Sometimes slowly.

I do not believe the story about burning mail. We should look for another explanation of the charred items received by one poster. Use your imagination !

I digress. Pleased to hear that the OP solved her problem. Good luck to her !

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

lcanupp1964 · Joined: 12 Dec 2009 Posts: 381

I'm not writing about you (the OP) per se, but in general. I think you handled the comments well.

I think some of us (at times) try to "slap the cold, harsh water of reality" in the faces of some posters that have zero Middle Eastern experience regardless of the fact that they may be seasoned vets of other places in the world.

Maybe the reason is this: If they can't handle the comments of complete strangers, we wonder if that person can handle the real BS and stress that happens over here on an hourly basis.

I try never to pick on someone in a negative way unless he/she is trolling or acting like a jerk.

If people get so mad on this site and are so anal and obsessive compulsive that they strongly feel they must "fight the good fight" and try to have endless battles between other posters, maybe they are the kind of person that is not going to make it over here. If they are already in KSA, those are the ones I stay away from. They will implode soon.

Many of us teaching in KSA has had years of experience working and living in East Asia. Many of us have "cut our teeth" in places like Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan before finding our way towards the ME. I've taught in all three, so I hope I can give a "wiser" comparison to help posters better understand what they may be getting into.

They pay a lot in KSA for a very good reason.

I joke that there are four types of teachers that come to KSA:

A. The ones that stay 2 days because they either found a few bugs in their crappy, old apartment, or their feelings were hurt because no one picked them up from the airport. They leave in protest. They act like they need their panties starched and press before going to work each day.

B. The ones that stay within 90 days because they can't stop trying to compare how things should be done rather than adapting to the environment. They drive everyone crazy by moaning endlessly and are asked to leave.

C. The ones that barely hang on by the skin of their teeth and stay for only a one-year contact and never, ever comes back. Many drunks fall into this type. They move on to the next contract before they are found out.

D. The ones that can figure it out and stay for as long as they like.

For example, I went to work very early one day during my first week at KAU to print out a handout that I worked on the night before. I found out that the laser printer in the teachers' office was out of paper. I got so mad and upset. I ranted (to myself) for 30 minutes about how this places sucks and how, in the States, I would have never found a printer out of paper.

When I got off of work that day, I purchased three rims of paper and locked them in my desk drawer at work.

If you are the type of person that thinks, "that's a bunch of BS. I would never buy office supplies. It is the university's job to support the teachers", you will either not make it in KSA or you will suffer until you quit, or get canned. Either way, you will drive yourself and others around you crazy.

If you are the type of person that thinks it was a good way to avoid stress by taking control of how one reacts to stress, than you just might make it over here. Smile

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

zaazia · Joined: 25 Jun 2009 Posts: 15

Ask the pharmaceutical company if the medication you are on is available in Saudi Arabia and if available where can you buy it from.

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

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

LarssonCrew · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 1308

Does anyone know how easily insulin is picked up?

Can I show a UK prescription and buy there? If so, any idea on price? Do medical plans in Saudi cover chronic disease medicine?

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

No problem getting it as diabetes is common among Saudis... BUT... did your read this thread?

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=109514

VS

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Most pharmacies will sell you insulin without the hassle of a prescription. Some medical plans may not cover pre-existing conditions, but the one that I had, paid for chronic and pre-existing conditions.

Too many tightwads at that employer meant that the company withdrew from provision of medical insurance. The numbers prepared to pay for insurance fell to single figures (from a faculty of many hundreds !) Employees at KFUPM now rely on university clinic and Government Teaching hospital for medical treatment.

If you are working in the private sector you will not have that option.

LarssonCrew · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 1308

Cheers guys.

I'm surprised just as I was in China that you can essentially walk in and buy a drug which can kill a human in an hour, but oh well.

Not sure what to do regarding that new chronic illness thing. In my 5 years in China I was never admitted for my diabetes, and back in the UK the only expense I've caused the NHS is there insistence on doing check ups to see what changes I've had in those five years.

I think I'll just go along with the medical and see.