Job Discussion Forums

[Continental Drifter]

I had a quick and easy phone interview with Hawthorn a few days ago, and now just waiting for an offer. Anyone receive an offer yet? If so, how does the salary look?

[Chaucer]

I got an offer from them and CfBT.

My background: I have an MA TESOL, and nearly seven years experience (but all in junior and senior high schools in East Asia), so I was expecting the low end of the salary scale.

They offered a total of 700 salary, 100 "workplace allowance" (whatever that means), 60 for transport, up to 30 a month for utilities, plus all the other benefits from the ad. I will be in Sohar and they are providing me with a 2-bedroom furnished place.

The CfBT was basically the same. They offered a little less in terms of salary, but they make up for it with the half a months salary at the end of the contract. The deciding factor was location, beach (Sohar) vs. interior (Nizwa).

What do you guys think? This is going to be my first time in the ME and I am really looking forward to it. I hope I am not getting scr***d with the salary. Also, the location is good for me, as I love the ocean and am not a big lights, big city kind of guy. Been there, done that in Tokyo and Beijing.

Any advice on what I really NEED to bring??? Anything that if I don't bring I will regret???

Thanks all...

1st posting ever!!!

[veiledsentiments]

Welcome Chaucer,

I hope you have done a search and read all the posts on Sohar. There are some posters here who currently live there, but it is likely that they are traveling. Teachers should be coming back through the next couple weeks.

Your offer sounds reasonable for Oman - which is lower on the scale than the richer Gulf countries, but it has benefits that the other countries don't have. One comment that I would make is that the end of contract gratuity is set by Omani Employment Law as I understand, so you might want to look into that.

As to what to bring... most everything is available in the Gulf, though you may have to trek to Muscat for supplies now and again. (or Dubai) This is to suggest that you will in a position where a car is crucial. Be sure to have a current driving license with a few years left to run... and if possible bring a 'no-claims' letter to help lower your insurance premium.

VS

[omanized]

Welcome to the Sultanate ! I'm sure you will enjoy it as there is a lot to do and see - it is easily the most beautiful country in the Gulf, also friendly and hospitable. Sohar is pretty much halfway between Dubai and Muscat so choose your option for shopping or the big city experience - actually, Dubai is really the only choice for those things but Muscat has its charms.

Be sure to begin to arrange your "road pass " as soon as possible so that you may drive across the border into the UAE - get one for the whole year to save repeating the process - about 12 rials and lots of peace of mind.

As VS said there is really no need to bring anything - although I do bring some comforts from home every year - my favorite coffee, deodorant sticks ( they seem to only stock anti-persperant) hockey gear, pornography ( kidding ! ) .........your favorite sunscreen would be a good idea too - bring a little reserve of patience as well, as you will soon learn about some of the nuances of Gulf efficiency and red-tape

omanized

[veiledsentiments]

Yes... and the sense of humor.

If you take any unusual prescription medications, most expats know to bring a good supply until you know if it is carried where they are going. But, I suspect that almost everything could be found in either Oman or the UAE. I also had some preferred OTC meds that I carried.

Readers should bring a supply of favorite book types. If you like to cook, bring your favorite kitchen things. Pots and pans are there, but I took things like my great can opener and a few other small items that I bought years ago and they are no longer made.

VS

[kuberkat]

Continental Drifter, an update would be good... Keeping fingers crossed for you.

Chaucer, congrats! Because of the cost of accommodation in Sohar, it's the one venue where the new package offered by both recruiters is really a good deal- and you'll be near the ocean. Good choice, mate. Though trust me on this: you may not think you need those bright lights now, but small-town Oman does tend to make one crave the urban pulse. Like you, I came to Oman from a megalopolis in East Asia and there are things you'll miss. (Pssst! Bring a nice pair of chopsticks! Chinese food here is served with the crappy kind, if not with a plastic fork.)

Also, if you are still in Asia, tech there is far cheaper than even in Dubai, so get yer gadgets before you leave. My personal treasure is Chinese Green Oil- my medical panacea.

As an aside, the best thing about the ME after EAsia is actually having holidays. That are paid! Woohoo! Paid sanity leave should be part of every teacher's package.

Am I rambling? Maybe I'll need some more of that sanity leave...

[Continental Drifter]

Kuberkat, looks like I'm bound for Saudi again. Maybe they expect an MA or perhaps I'm not giving them enough time, or maybe I wasn't impressive enough in that silly little interview. Whatever the case, I can't delay any longer - got mouths to feed. Oh Oman, maybe another year...

[Chaucer]

Thanks everyone for the welcome and advice.

I have read the posts about Sohar, CfBT, and Hawthorn, and I think I will be okay. We shall see what happens.

VS, thanks for the tips on the books and cooking supplies. I am a big cook, and living without a garlic press or any of my other little kitchen gadgets would kill me!

Kuberkat, you in Sohar? Anyone else currently in Sohar out there? If so, I would appreciate any local information you have.

See you in Oman...

[veiledsentiments]

Good Luck!! check in and tell us how it's going for you.

VS

[Duffy]

Chauser,

Glad your not coming to Salalah, we don't need to cook "a la whatever" Dohfar has it's own, if you do not want to experience local food, at its very best, then don't come here!!

We do not need you fancy recipes or ways of cooking them.

Garlic press!! Oh Come On!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you want "City cook" ok, leave us out!!

A very happy Provincial;

Duffy

[veiledsentiments]

I wonder if he was being facetious?

I wonder if you are jealous?



VS

[kuberkat]

Er, you can get a garlic press at Carrefour or Lulu hypermarkets in Muscat or Sohar...

[veiledsentiments]

Yes, but often one has a particular type that is easy to clean or use or whatever...

I had about 5 favorite kitchen tools - a variation of which was available everywhere - but I preferred mine and hauled them everywhere I lived over the years.

VS

[kuberkat]

Hmmmm, not to get OT here, but I have a similar fixation with eating utensils. Life is not complete without a melba spoon for yoghurt (gotta love Oman's cheap dairy!) or chopsticks for noodles....

[veiledsentiments]

Must say that I have never heard of a 'melba spoon' and neither had google apparently as nothing came up.

But as to eating spoons in general, one does tend to have a preferred size and I just hate forks that have such blunt ends that they won't pick anything up!!

Life is just brimming with complications for the unsuspecting expat, eh kuberkat?

VS