Job Discussion Forums

[blondie888]

I want to tell everyone who is considering coming to Yemen what it is actually like.

I got a job from the internet and came here to work for a company called New Horizons. They didn't offer much pay (US$300/ month) but the rest of the advertisement sounded excellent. They offered trips away every month, furnished accomodation, free Arabic courses, free unlimited computer courses, big opportunities. They sounded like a really fun friendly company.

It turns out they are lovely - but they are completely useless at providing anything they said they would (including a visa, which as you can imagine in this country it is not very good to be without).

They have not given us anything else we were promised. I am not difficult at all when it comes to living conditions and am very used to roughing it, but when we are teaching 6 hours a day (instead of the 4 advertised) and we are planning lessons on a concrete floor in our 'furnished' accomodation with our bottoms getting very sore I begin to complain.

So if all you want is your $300 (to be fair, it is always paid on time - within a few days of pay day) and nothing else then by all means come. I guess I am writing this because I left my country for their lies - it is not like I was here and decided to pick up a few hours teaching.

The students I have had in my classes are excellent: funny, intelligent, incredibly generous and respectful too.

The people in the country in general are amazing. I have had the odd problem with some mean offensive people but as a whole they are amongst the friendliest I have met anywhere. They are definitely the craziest though.

If anyone has any other Yemen questions - just ask.

[veiledsentiments]

Hi Blondie888,

Wecome to Dave's!! It sounds like you were able to make the best of a not-so-great situation. Your experience in Yemen will be one you will never forget and you can amuse your fellow EFL teachers for many years with the tales.

I guess it means that you have learned overseas English teaching rule #1. Don't take a job unless you know something about the employer. That is why this board is great. You can usually find out about an employer before you sign on. And personally, I wouldn't even think of taking a job without running it past the people here.

You didn't say what city you were in, but I know AMIDEAST is a good company if you are looking to change jobs and want to stay in Yemen for awhile.

VS

[meastfreak]

Ah yes, New Horizons. I know a crazy Australian gal was going to teach there, never heard what happened to her. This was back in mid-March. They promised her a really nice apt. and stuff. Judging by your post, she didn't get it.