Job Discussion Forums

[berries]

Hi

Is anyone working at Interserve in Jazan formerly known as Algonquin?
I have been made an offer but would like some inside info from anyone teaching there as I know recruiters don't tell you everything. Husband and I have been teaching in Saudi for 5 years as a teaching couple and have plenty of 'Saudi experiences'. Just want to weigh up if the stuff we will have to deal with is going to be the usual stuff or worse.
Any insight would be appreciated
Thanks

[psychedelicacy]

Only go to Jazan if it's direct hire (I don't know what Interserve is, but it suggests it's not a direct hire role) and they're offering a good salary (i.e., 16,000 riyals per month, minimum). Jazan is close to Yemen, but not just geographically. It might as well be in Yemen - it's an extremely backward, under-invested region and, frankly, the worst city I've ever seen. Saudis who aren't from Jazan laugh if you tell them you're working or have worked in Jazan ("with the monkeys" - still unsure whether this refers to animals or something else). And that just about says it all. Anywhere but Jazan would be my advice.

[sammysez]

I must have missed something from the other poster.

Coincidentally, I recently just went there on vacation and really enjoyed Jizan/Jazan. It's hot and humid, this is Saudi Arabia, right?

Very nice malls, very nice restaurants, the people were nice. The Corniche had an entire shopping center of 15-20 western style restaurants, you name it, they had it. Tennis courts.

I'm sure there are all kinds of people in all kinds of places, but I found a great group of people. People volunteered to give me rides etc...

I don't know anything about the company that you're asking about.

[mahdi1432]

Jazan region has been changing rapidly for the past 3 years.
The city, Jizan, is under heavy funding to move away from the reputation it has built in what psychedelicacy has referred to.

The monkeys you are referring are those in the mountains of Fayfa. Yes, they are referring to animals.

Jizan is not Jeddah or Riyadh. As long as you are prepared for not living in a big city, Jizan will be very pleasant.
Beautiful islands off of Farasan makes it easy to organize a trip to your own island for a day.
Airport gets you in and out to any destinations you want.

I was in Jizan before they finished all the expensive projects and I really liked it.

[Siobhan 22]

Apparently they seemed to have problems find suitable methodologies.

Some hill tribe students illiterate in their own language - challenging.

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/algonquin-hands-over-its-jazan-campus-to-a-british-company

[bertonneau]

Actually Jizan province compared to say Riyadh or Dhahran is a bit more diverse. Yes, it's not as developed yet. But a huge bunch of money is being pumped into it and it will be well on its way in a few years if Saudi hasnt gone broke by then. Mountains nearby. Ocean nearby although nothing very clean or amazing. Farasan is actually kind of a hole of a place cute to visit for a day or two but thats it really. It aint Hawaii or even close. The mountain people there are moderate humble in comparison to much of the rest of Saudi. More like Yemenis who I find pretty cool compared to teh average spoiled rich kid in teh cities. Chewing khat, walking in the mountains although a bit polluted with bags, it's what Id call more traditional mountain Saudi than many parts. I drove around to the border areas by myself or with one other teacher and this is a part where everyone is packing a gun on there shoulder in a holster. Never had a problem. It can be a bit boring as is all of Saudi. But gets cool in teh mountains. Abha is a few hours away. There are certain worse places in Saudi if a the constant never ending shopping malls isnt your thing and as its developing it should become more interesting over time. It wasnt my worst experience there.