Job Discussion Forums

[KME0050]

I will be interviewing for a position there next week and have been searching this forum for information regarding the college and quality of life for non-Muslim women living in Medina. From what I've read, it is next to impossible for a Western non-Muslim woman to have anything other than a wretched experience living in this city. If that is true, how is this college recruiting and retaining qualified staff--or aren't they?

I've been searching for information online and am confused. Is this college even up and running yet? It appears that TQ was recruiting ESL teachers for the college last spring, but management positions are not yet filled. I am also unable to understand the relationship between the players. According to the CoE website, the Oxford Partnership comprises Activate Learning, GEMS Education Solutions and Moulton College. No mention of TQ. But then I found an article in the Saudi Gazette that indicates that it is Pearson that holds the contract for the women's college in Medina. (http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20130705172359)

I applied for this position prior to doing any real research on either the city or the college. Having lived and worked in KSA since 2010 in a couple of cities both large and small, I didn't imagine I would encounter a locale that would be intolerable. However, I am now having very serious doubts.

If there are any non-Muslim women who have been working at this college (or any other for that matter) in Medina, I would appreciate hearing your thoughts before I go into this interview . . .

[nomad soul]

[scot47]

The city is closed to unbelievers. My guess is that a life restricted to the outer suburbs would be difficult.

[CANDLES]

I disagree! Medina has designated area for Muslims 'the Haram' which encloses the Prophet's mosque and the area around it. It is clearly sign posted. Rest of Medina is free for all.

[yep]

TQ abandoned their college of excellence projects in June this year. The Medina campus is being taken over by the Oxford partnership starting this academic year.

So the college will be effectively starting from scratch. Challenging work, but probably good pay. They will be desperate for teachers and with your previous experience in the kingdom you should be able to negotiate a good salary.

[FrenchConnexion]

The Haram in Madinah is not just the Mosque. It includes almost the entire city, where you find all the malls, etc. As you said, it is clearly indicated by big signs along the roads. You need to check your info better before saying it only includes the mosque (which is also called the Haram, so maybe you are confusing) and the area around it. I have known non-Muslims working here, and have heard about the ones in TQ, who could barely stand a year in the holy city, because they cannot go anywhere or do anything, although the pay was good. TQ had a high turn-over in terms of female coordinators/directors. And their pay was really enviable.

[KME0050]

Many thanks to all who replied. This information is extremely helpful. I know what I am going to do, or rather not do. Possible crisis averted

[CANDLES]

From Medina you can go to Maidan Salah, to Riyadh, Jeddah, etc....
Where the mosque is and all around it non-Muslims cannot go there, but the rest of the city is open to non Muslims. Clearly indicated!
As for teachers not liking it, well there are teachers in Abha, Al Hofuf, Sakaka etc who don't like it, but they are still there.

I know this, because I was there.

[FrenchConnexion]

Well, I have been living in Madinah for the past 7 years, going on my eighth. So I see the BIG SIGNS every day, and I know where they are: certainly not around the mosque and its surroundings,but much farther, encompassing all the malls such as Noor Mall, Rasheed Mall, Aliyaat Mall. Now I know for a fact that some of the non-Muslim TQ female teachers were brought inside the Haram area to shop at 2 of those malls, because I met them there and talked to them: nobody can know from their appearance they are non-Muslims, as they wore a shawl (loose one, but still) on their head. However, that is a major rule breaking, and if anyone reports it, you can be sure the employer and employees will be in serious trouble. Yes indeed many people work in many other places in KSA that they do not like. However, there is a world of difference working in a place where you are free to go anywhere, compared to a place where your outings are severely limited.
"From Madinah you can go to Mada'in Salah, Riyadh, Jeddah": yeah, ok, bearing in mind the closest place you mentioned, Mada'in Saleh, is around 3 hours drive from Madinah. Jeddah and Riyadh can be reached by airplane in an hour/ hour and a half, but you cannot do that every weekend, as it would be way too much money to spend on airplane tickets + hotel+food (I assume most EFL lecturers come here to save a max of money). So one outing once in a while, really.

[scot47]

The same is true of Mecca, or if you prefer Makkah. Most of the city is in the Haram Area and off-limits to non-Muslims.