Job Discussion Forums

[KnockoutNed]

[johnslat]

Dear KnockoutNed,

Long-term plan? Haven't had one for decades. My first experience of EFL was in Iran; I arrived there in August of 1978, hired by Pahlavi University in Shiraz. My long-term plan then was to stay there for many years.
Well, the Islamic Revolution took place in January of '79, and that long-term plan didn't work out too well.After that, I decided making long-term plans probably wasn't such a good idea.

Why did I stay in Saudi so long? As mentioned, I had a good employer, and a job I enjoyed. Working in the Kingdom allowed me me see many of the place in Europe, Africa, and the Far East I'd always wanted to visit, mostly on someone else's dime. In the 80s, on Saudia, you could get as many stops as you wanted on the way out and back during the summer holidays at no extra cost.

Working there also allowed me to help a friend get through medical school and provided the funds for me to buy a house in New Mexico.

No regrets about those 19 years - but I was very fortunate. Just because it worked out so well for me by no means that's going to be the case for everyone else. In fact, given the changes that have taken place - the recruiters/contractors, the more or less general reduction in salaries - I'd say such an outcome would be unusual now.

I'm still working - I'm the ESL program coordinator at Santa Fe Community College. That's not because I have to work, though - but because I want to.
Thanks to what I saved in Saudi, my SS every month, and my VA disability,
my financial situation is fine.

So, at 72, I still don't have any long-term plans. But then, at 72, I don't even buy green bananas.

One day at a time works for me.

Regards,
John

[KnockoutNed]

[akoo1]

John, you said "I'd say such an outcome would be unusual now" regarding people going to KSA in the current environment. What are your thoughts regarding the possible outcomes for the new generation of TEFLers in KSA. Given they apply the same approach to KSA as you did. Humour, zipping lips and taking it slow.

[johnslat]

Dear akoo1,

As much as I'm tempted to indulge in sweeping generalizations (which your question seems to beg for ), I'll resist and just repeat what I've said before.

All the possible outcomes, ranging from "doing a runner"from Saudi to staying there for an extended period of time there depend on two things.

The first is who you are - what your personality/character/nature are like.

This is the main reason none of us can accurately predict how Saudi may
affect any person thinking of taking a job there.

We can all post about how it affects/affected us, which can range from "I enjoyed it" to "I loathed it."

But no one can (or rather should - since some posters do it often) tell someone thinking about going how he/she is going to react.

The second is your employer - and again, there's even variation in this area, with some posters saying about the very same place that it's a good place to work - while others have horror stories to share.

The most that I'll dare to generalize about (and there are exceptions) is that the most likely road to a good job in the Kingdom these days is a direct hire position (with an iqama) in one of the government universities or institutes.

But if you're looking for a quick :in and out" with the most remuneration (and you have the qualifications and experience), well, then maybe a contract with the military (or even the Golden Fleece of Aramco) might be
what you want to try for.

It all depends - but no matter what path is taken, self-reliance, self-sufficiency, patience, discretion, tolerance, adaptability, and a at least slightly twisted sense of humor would all be good items to carry over there with you.

Regards,
John

[scot47]

Johnslat and I have frequent discussions about what we want to do when we grow up. He is a bit older than me so I look to him for sensible advice.

[nomad soul]

[scot47]

That is us.

[johnslat]

Yes, that is we - I'm the good-looking one (who uses correct grammar).

Regards,
John

[teflguyusa]

[ but no matter what path is taken, self-reliance, self-sufficiency, patience, discretion, tolerance, adaptability, and a at least slightly twisted sense of humor would all be good items to carry over there with you. ]

Wise words of advice. Thanks for sharing[/quote]

[akoo1]

Can you elaborate on the twisted sense of humour?

[natsume]

[johnslat]

Dear akoo1,

The "slightly twisted sense of humor" ties in with the of patience.

One is likely to encounter a fair amount of incompetence, laziness, illogic, and irrational stubbornness while in the Kingdom. Or perhaps I should say that's how most of us will define it, at first.

Oh, that's not to imply we'd be totally wrong, not at all. But it's a very different culture with different priorities, different values, and different standards.

The "normal" reaction to such differences is usually to get frustrated, impatient, and angry - all very counter-productive responses.

After a while, if/when this is realized, then, one's response will (or should) change to one of wry amusement at what is, after all, just the way things happen (or don't happen) there.

You adapt - or you either go bananas and/or get out fast. You're certainly NOT going to change how matters are handled in the Kingdom. So, if you have any intention of remaining there beyond a year or two, you need to accept the reality - and once you start to do that, well, you just might find a certain "twisted" humor in it all.

When the inevitable delays, impediments, etc. occur, you just put on your inner smile and say to yourself, "Inshallah."

Regards,
John

[scot47]

Twisted ? I seem to remember something from Kant " Aus so krummem Holze..........."

http://crookedtimber.org/2006/08/25/aus-krummem-holze/

[johnslat]

Dear scot47,

"Out of timber so crooked as that from which man is made nothing entirely straight can be built."

Yup, but some of us are more crooked than others.

Regards,
John