Job Discussion Forums

[nomad soul]

"We're all here for the money."
"The only reason anyone comes to Saudi Arabia is for the money."

Interestingly, the Saudi discussion section seems to be the only Cafe forum where those types of statements are regularly made. I suspect those who feel compelled to frequently post these "everybody does it" comments do so for their own benefit as self-validation to justify having to take a job in a culture or work situation they personally find distasteful and that others (complete strangers to them) should feel that way too. It's that old adage that misery loves company.

Frankly, no one can speak for others' personal intentions; we come from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and goals and aren't clones of each other. Different strokes for different folks.

[pooroldedgar]

A few of those reasons are on their for me, but I went with other for time off/opportunities to travel.

[RustyShackleford]

This is a real good post and one I was indirectly addressing when I posted my "How did Saudi change you?" thread. I identify with the frustration you seem to express - I felt a similar way when I see all these guys go to Japan and Vietnam and kvetch all the time of a place they went from their own volition.

That said, I wish there were multiple checkboxes. My main motivation is definitely a financial one, but I also want to take my time as a meditation and cultural experience. It's not a place that fits my drink-and-be-merry attitude in the past but, as I recently turned 30, realize that perhaps its time to evolve from this day-by-day lifestyle and, frankly, Islam does in a cultural way and would like to engage with it despite obvious controversies. At the end of the day, whatever we pray to, we still got families to feed and bills to pay.

Uhh... SHASHASSHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[nomad soul]

[In the heat of the moment]

The first reason I came here is different to the second, and those two are different to why I returned. I'm in my sixth year in Arabia - which I can hardly justify or explain - but the song 'Hotel California' somewhat resonates with me.

The financial allure came to me as a third on my first visit, it probably is about the same now but for different reasons. To explain; I'm now more attuned to the Saudi-way of ignoring price tags and just buying what I fancy, but I usually shop in cheaper outlets. On other occasions I'll enter a more expensive outlet and know I can afford anything in there, and spending $$$$ on a quality item won't break the bank.

The first reason I came here is much more complex, and encompasses "Why not?", "No one I know has lived here", "What the hell is it like?" plus others I won't divulge on a public forum, or to anyone but my closest friends and family.

The second was to improve my teaching, which has worked magnificently. I use 'good' lessons in other environments and they go down very, very well. This place, with the most critical of students who believe I'm here to entertain them and allow them to learn with the most minimum of effort, encourages me to engage my classes continually. I get pushed in every class and so going into a 'normal' classroom is a joy.

[sicklyman]

my reason for coming to Saudi (money) is different from the reason I'm staying (job satisfaction). This is partly because the first reason no longer applies and partly because I really love what I do here. It's very different from the teaching role I was in when I arrived. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here anymore.

I can assure you that if the second reason no longer applies, I'll be out of here!

[scot47]

Sicklyman

I am alarmed. You no longer worship at the Shrine of Mammon ?

[Pikgitina]

[plumpy nut]

There's plenty of $15000 US monthly jobs in the KSA at elementary schools. Why not engage young elementary students, they are quite engagable, more than others. You can make a huge impact with young students in terms of spreading English speaking around Saudi Arabia. How many on the forum here would be interested? I'll bet the answer is none. Everyone will stick with the Universities, Government agencies or Academies, they pay a lot more. With the exception of possibly the Fundies, if the money wasn't higher than other ESL locations, nobody would come to Saudi Arabia. Anybody who says otherwise is not being honest with themselves. Unless you're studying the Saudis to write a dissertation, read "Culture Shock: Saudi Arabia", it tells the average intelligent person anything he would want to know about how Saudis think, and the absolute poverty of reasoning in Saudi Arabia.

[scot47]

US$15,000 a month ?

[nomad soul]

[scot47]

Surely Plumpy is not only after money ?

[johnslat]

Just a personal observation - in my experience, teachers who were in Saudi solely for the money (and that money was intended only for personal use) really disliked the Kingdom - and, before too long, themselves for subjecting themselves to an environment they abhorred for cash.

Self-imposed slavery is, perhaps, the worst kind of all. At least when someone else is responsible, the hate can be directed outward.

I went there for the money and because I was curious about the society. I thought adapting to it would be challenging (it turned out to be not as challenging as I'd thought).

I stayed because I was fortunate enough to have landed a good job with decent bosses and students I almost always enjoyed teaching.

Regards,
John

[sicklyman]

[scot47]

You speak in riddles. Riddle me not.