Job Discussion Forums

[noonlite]

If you could live in Saudi, UAE, Oman, Qatar, or Kuwait with comparable salaries, which would you choose and why?

[veiledsentiments]

Ignoring the minor detail that they DON'T and won't ever pay equal salaries, it would definitely be Oman.

Actually in order of choice it would be: Oman, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi. (although merely in my opinion, even if they paid double or triple I wouldn't go to Saudi or back to Kuwait...)

VS

[noonlite]

thanks for your reply.

It's true they don't offer the same salaries, but I was shooting for quality of life and your answered has confirmed my independent research. Why do you not want to go back to Kuwait or Saudi for even double or triple the salary?

[veiledsentiments]

If I mentioned that I am a single female, would that answer? I never went to Saudia because I didn't want to live under any restrictions. No abayas for me and I always had my own car. I spent a year in Kuwait and did not like it much. The job was particularly bad, but I didn't like the government bureaucracy either. Kuwait City has few things that held any appeal to me, basically rather ugly, and the traffic was ghastly. But I have friends that lived there for years and loved the place. So... it's all opinion. Oh, and I don't drink, but Kuwait is dry if that matters to you.

Lots of info on the individual country threads...

VS

[zakiah25]

VS is spot on with her preferred list - although you might enjoy the greater variety of entertainment that Dubai in the UAE has to offer. In reality, you will find a greater variety of higher paying jobs in the UAE. Kuwait is very dull and the current situation in Saudi is a bit uncertain.Oman is an interesting country and the Omanis are generally very friendly.

[spicegirl]

I agree 100% with the ranking order of VS and Zakiah25. Oman is one of the most beautiful countries I've ever lived in, and the students are, generally speaking, totally charming. Unfortunately, though, charm doesn't pay the mortgage, so the next best place for me is the UAE.

Not Dubai for me, however, as it's much too busy and crowded for my liking, and unlike in Muscat, people often don't seem to have time or inclination to care about other people. The smaller cities and towns like Al Ain and Fujairah seem to be more 'stranger-friendly'.

[veiledsentiments]

I agree with that. I never saw the appeal of Dubai... too much traffic and plastic modernity. But, then I'm a rather boring person. I even like RAK better than Dubai!!

VS

[noonlite]

Wow! Thanks for the info everyone. I just accepted a position at SQU when higher paying offers were available in other places including Kuwait. The more I thought about it, the more I decided quality of life would be worth the lower salary which, when all is said and done, is actually still pretty good.

[veiledsentiments]

I spent many pleasant years in Oman. Lots of great places to see and things to do - for those whose fun doesn't require much of a night life.

Pack your patience and sense of humor if you haven't been in the Middle East before. Good Luck!!

VS

[crocus]

Noonlite

If you need any info about SQU. feel free to PM me.

All the best,
Crocus

[Gordon]

I just ran into someone in Japan who used to work at SQU (many years ago). He raved about great it was. Someone mentioned the salary is not great. What is the salary there with a Masters and 11 years experience? Is it a good place for a family? What are the general perks like housing, flights, education, vacation...? I saw an old thread about it, but it was really old. I went to their website but not all the links worked. Thanks in advance for any help.

[zakiah25]

Don't think that the salaries have changed much over the years - about OR800 per month.If you are provided with accommodation on campus, you have to keep in mind that Muscat (capital city) is very spread out.SQU is situated on one side of the city (inland side) and it's a fair distance to cross to the other side (sea port).
Seeb International Airport and Carrefors Shopping Center are close to SQU.I'm sure that flights would be provided as part of the contract but not sure regarding other details you asked for. Maybe Veiled Sentiments or other posters can help there.

[veiledsentiments]

Hi Gordon,

I was at SQU back in the days when the paint was barely dry on the new construction... my first real job after my MA. So, it holds a place in my heart. I probably know the person that you ran into. Crocus is the person with the up-to-date info on the current situation - and details on the new contracts.

SQU is one of those places that years of experience tends not to be reflected in the salary, so if your 11 years of experience is in teaching Academic English, you could certainly do better elsewhere. (if you have been teaching conversation all those years, it wouldn't translate to much Middle East salary benefit...)

The on campus housing is hard to get these days as they have more than doubled the teaching staff with no new units built, so chances are that you would have off campus housing. They are generally nice, and the furniture is acceptable if not what one would necessarily buy. Flights are still covered and summer leave is still 60 days, I believe. There was a problem with education allowances a few years back when they tried to do away with them, but I think they are covered again... (Crocus??) Other holidays are the two Eids and National Day - all three of which can range from 4-10 days each. Their semester break used to be very long, over a month, but we were not to leave the country - but that may have changed.

One factor to keep in mind when comparing it to Japan is that Oman has no taxes... but... you would have to buy a car. Life in Muscat is like life in the suburbs... you HAVE to have a car.

VS

[Gordon]

Thank you both. The salary does seem low, maybe half what I make now and my tax rate is only 5% in Japan so you really hardly feel it. I don't need to make lots, but with 2 or 3 kids, it may be hard to live on OR800. The lifestyle sounds great at SQU though. Thanks and I'd love to hear from anyone currently there. Having a car is no problem, we have 2 now and 1 in Canada. We're in the boonies of Japan and a car is necessary here too.

[crocus]

Dear Gordon

Just to add a little to Veiled Sentiment's information.

Salaries: there is now a range from around 560 rials + University Allowance of around 50 rials (Assistant Language Instructor) to 830 rials + around 60 rials UA (Assistant Language Lecturer). IF your MA is relevant (is it related to EFL / does it have 'English' in the title?) and you have your 11 years experience post-MA and it's teaching appropriate English, then and then only might you be appointed at the highest rate.

In addition to this, there is a monthly Utilities allowance of around 44 rials + a travel allowance of around 75 rials.

Housing: as VS said. Most people are now being house off-campus in Al Khoud (about 5 minutes drive from the campus). Some of the housing there is extremely nice - half villas, very spacious.

Flights: yes, one return flight a year for you + all dependents (kids under 18 only).

Education allowance: 1,500 rials per child per year. This does not go far enough when the children are at private schools such as the British School or the American-British School, or others in Muscat. As they get older the cost rises immensely, but the allowance doesn't. Most people find it very hard to cope with these costs.

Vacation: yes, 60 days per year (this is not just working days, it includes weekends as well). There is now around a 3 week break between semesters - if you leave the country then it comes off your holiday allowance. This doesn't apply if you're just going over to the Emirates.

One possible warning: there has been a big change in policy regarding contracts very recently and the flack is still flying around. Possibly things will change back again because of this, who knows. The leaving dates for all staff will now be January 15th and June 15th: what this means in practice - as far as we can all work out - is that although people are employed on a 2 / 3 year contract, the actual contract period will be 22 months or 34 months. This therefore impacts on holiday pay + allowance.
Watch this space for updates on this.

But yes, it is a pleasant place to work; it's safe for children, the students are most definitely the most agreeable in the Gulf, your colleagues here are very nice to work with, it's a good job.

All the best,
Crocus