Job Discussion Forums

chrisnomad · Joined: 08 Jan 2006 Posts: 3

Hi all. Just writing for a bit of sagely advice which seems to flow freely on this forum.

I�ve been offered a job in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.I am male, 34, with a BA, a CTEFLA and slightly less than 10 years experience.The conditions of the job offered are pasted at the bottom of this message. I have a girlfriend with whom I am very close and we have been together for four years.

Initially the job was for one year but I really couldn't see myself away from my girlfriend this long or going through all the rigmarole of getting married, papers etc. in order for her to come over (not financed by the company either)

The new job offer is for 6 months, the pay I negotiated to a slightly higher (9200) and the flights still included but without the holiday at the end of the contract. I would work 5 and a half days and what sounds like 35 contact hours (!)

What I am wondering is:
-Are the conditions and salary good for someone with my experience and qualifications? The accommodation is a room in a shared villa with all utilities covered.
-Any idea how much I could save under these conditions?
-What kind of place is Jeddah? All I have found on this forum is that it is industrial and polluted. Is it really such a nasty place to be?
-How is this town for safety regarding terrorist attacks? I believe the villa is not a highly secured area.
-Is it difficult for my girlfriend to visit me? Does she need a lot of papers, is it expensive to organise a hotel and does she have the freedom to move around without me?
-Being a surfer and lover of nature, will I go barking mad here in six months?! Do you think it's worthwhile for the experience?

Many thanks,

Chris

DETAILS:
. Employment Status: SINGLE
. The contract will be for a period of One year. Renewable on mutual
agreement.
. The basic salary per month is: SR 9,000/- (Nine Thousand Saudi Riyals)
. Housing Allowance: Two basic salaries per year or a semi-furnished
accommodation near the facility of the institute according to the discretion
of the school administration.
. Medical insurance coverage except dental. (As per the company policy)
. One month paid annual vacation at the end of the first contract, with a
two way economy class air ticket to the capital city of the origin country.
. Apart from the one month vacation, you will be entitled to the annual
paid holidays of 5 days in the holy month of Ramadan and 5 days during the
annual hajj. These holidays will be declared by the government.
. A one way ticket in economy class from the capital city of the country of
origin will be provided at the time of taking up the employment after
signing the terms of contract.
Teaching and Working Hours:

Every attempt will be made to accommodate teaching load within one shift.
However, in the case of split working hours, classes will be assigned within
the following schedule:

Saturday to Wednesday
. 9 am to 1 pm
. 5 pm to 9 pm

Thursday is a half working day from 9am to 1pm. It will be mainly
administrative work on Thursday. Friday is a weekly off.

JOB DESCRIPTION:
To teach General English, Technical English and Business English in the
orientation program of x and the Industrial clients of x.
To contribute towards course curriculum development for various levels of English language training.
. To conduct placement tests, and do assessment of the students in the
weekly tests, quarterly and yearly exams.
. To develop customized English language training programs that fit the
language training needs of our industrial clients.
. To participate in professional development.
. You may be deputed to our industrial client's facility to train their
staff in English language. We will arrange the transportation during such
visits.
. You may also be assigned to any x center within the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Mark100 · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 441

Don't touch it with a barge pole.

teacherdude · Joined: 13 Sep 2004 Posts: 260

why??

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

chrisnomad · Joined: 08 Jan 2006 Posts: 3

I didn�t really need the rap on the knuckles but thanks for the advice all the same. I think I�ll give it a miss.

Bebsi · Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 958

Nope, you would not go barking mad there after six months. You cannot go where you already are, and to accept this package you'd want to be barking mad in the first place.

Regarding your girlfriend, it would not be in the slightest bit difficult to get her there. It would simply be IMPOSSIBLE.

Read up on the place!!

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

A lousy job offer and proof posıtıve that EVERYONE should avoıd prıvate schools ın KSA.

İ thınk you are also unsuıted to KSA. If you thınk you can brıng ın your concubıne then you obvıously have not looked ınto lıfe ın a muslım socıety.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

ha, move to Saudi for $2399 a month and no children. You can find university jobs in Korea that offer that much. Furthermore your girlfriend could go to Korea. If you have the money to fly her to Japan every month or two she could live with you while you are in Korea

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

If you really want to come to Saudi you want to think long-term (three years or more) and to marry the girlfriend and get her to join you, or get a job at a Uni with very long holidays (KFUPM is the best) that will allow you plenty of time off.

If your BA is in English or a Foreign Language, and you really have a CELTA and ten years relevant experience (and not just private tuitions), then there are plenty of serious places that will take you - JIC for a start :)