Job Discussion Forums

[robbiet]

Hi all,
I am an Australian teacher with an opportunty to work in Fujairah. I have previously worked in Riyadh KSA as a teacher so I have a bit knowledge of middle east life as an expat.

I have a query regarding life in Fujairah. Is there anyone out there that has lived in fujairah or has any idea of what it is like there?

I am interested in things like,

expat population, nationalities.
social groups
entertainment
shopping malls
restaurants
diving (costs)
and also the state of the road and distance between Dubai and fujairah.

My parnter is unsure about the city as it seems alot 'quieter' than Dubai, is that the case?

My parnter and I are not married and we are searching for work for her as a teachers aid, as she is half way through a primary teaching degree.
The employer, who is the Insitiute of applied technology Fujairah (secondary school) seems to think it would not be too hard to gain work as a teachers aid in this city?

Does anyone know of the opportunites for a teachers aid in Fujairah and where would be a good place to look over the web?

Also I was informed by the employer that US$6000 would get you a reasonable 2 bed villa in fujairah for the year?


Any help would be appreciated,

Regards,

robbie t

[abudhabi]

I haven't got time to write an essay on all the topics requested, but having lived in Riyadh myself, I'd say you would be most pleased at the difference. Fujairah could be compared to a country town in Australia. I have met several teachers who work there and they like it on the whole. One in particular raves about it. Dubai in my opinion is oversold - it is a large sprawling urban mass that seems to get choked with traffic jams every day of the week. Fujairah is only 2 hours from Dubai on a good road so you are not out in the sticks - this isn't Esperance compared to Perth!

It has all the basics - just not the variety of shopping malls and drinking holes of Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

One problem for you though is that you talk about your partner. Having lived in Riyadh you probably realise that you'd have to get married before you could live together here. Depending on the timing of your arrival, the chances of getting a teaching aid job is probably pretty good. Most teaching aids I've met are non-native speakers and schools would be keen to get a native speaker. However, she will be competing agaist nationalities that are happy enough to work for less than AUS $1000 a month! That's for nursery schools - primary schools may pay more. You could check out the Gulf News online for opportunities for your partner - but schools aren't going to hire a teachers aid internationally, paying airfares, accommodation, etc- she'd have to be hired as a spouse on your visa i.e. married to you. Once you have decided to come and have got the job, find a list of schools in Fujairah and write to them.

Can't comment on the housing prices as they vary so much - in Abu Dhabi you'd be lucky to get a run down one bedroom flat for that money, but you could be OK with your US $6000 in Fujairah.

Good luck!

[Stephen Jones]

I visted Fujairah in 1994; loved the place. IIt's probably a lot bigger now; it's one of the most important container staging on the Asia-Europe shipping route.

You could get an unfurnished two-bedroomed villa for $4,000 a year. Price might have gone up a little. Obviously you would have to shell out a few thousand dollars to furnish it.

You should be able to drive to Dubai in an hour-and-a-half. A lot of locals do it in less, as the holes in the crash barriers caused by those who didn't make it show.

Two bars when I was there; the Hilton and the motel. Number might have gone up since.

[veiledsentiments]

That's about covered it for you, but I just want to emphasize that I do know a few people who couldn't cope with the quietness of Furjairah. It is probably the most secluded of the UAEU jobs. Only outdoorsy types tend to like it.

And... it is small and thus VERY conservative. You'd better be able to prove that you are legally married or problems could ensue. This is most definitely NOT Dubai.

VS

[robbiet]

Thanks for the replies, they helped clear up my major concerns. I was fairly confident that I would enjoy it there as I am keen to get into any activity in the water and with dubai close by it seems like there would be plenty to do.


Thanks again,

Robbie T.

PS One last query. To furnish a 2 bed villa (basics) from scratch (ie no carpet stove fridge etc) what would you estimate this could be done at if you purchased the majority of things from an expat exit sale? My allowance is US$7000.

[veiledsentiments]

One problem may be that there are few expats in Fujairah, so there may not be many or any sales of items you need. But, you could probably hit Dubai... there are used furniture stores and stores that sell cheap stuff, and there is IKEA for reasonably priced nice furniture. Just ask around...

If you don't care what it looks like, you could have much of that money left over. I know of people who furnished their place with the allowance and had enough left over to buy a junker car. The place was Arab majlis style and the car broke down a lot, but...

VS

[Stephen Jones]

I've just furnished an apartment in Saudi brand new for that price.

One thing to try for is deoent ceramic tiles on the floor so you don't have to buy carpet, though you should manage to carpet a small villa for under $1,000.

[DesertStar]

You should do fine with a US$7000 furniture allowance (i.e., buying everything or most things new).

Good luck!