Job Discussion Forums

[Opti]

I'm considering applying for an ESL job at the SQU Language Centre (I have a Master's in TESOL and many years of experience) and am wondering if someone can tell me what the current salary range is (it's not mentioned on the SQU website). I see they offer only medical coverage at government hospitals and clinics. What is the quality of care like in those places? (I've been to some pretty squalid government healthcare facilities in my day...) Are private hospitals and clinics better and do people also get private medical insurance for additional coverage there and abroad?
Also, I notice that the recent American director left this past summer after a very short stay. What's the scoop on that? Many thanks!

[veiledsentiments]

Almost all of the hospitals in Oman are government hospitals and in the Muscat area they range from OK to downright swanky - and you are eligible to use them all. Since SQU has a teaching hospital on campus, medical care will be the absolute least of any problems. Different hospitals tend to cover different specialties. Like everywhere in the world, it can take time to get appointments, but there is a staff clinic on the campus. (back when the place was smaller, they used to do house calls!!) Most people get a temporary travel insurance plan through the travel agencies during leaves.

If you do a search, salaries were discussed here not long ago. I'd guess that you are in the 800-1000 start range, depending on if experience is related, and it counts more if after the MA.

Don't know anything about the director departure, but there has always been a strong anti-American, pro-British prejudice in management at SQU...

VS

[MiloZ]

The management at SQU is anti-American and pro-Bush? What an interesting sociopolitical kettle of fish.

[veiledsentiments]

Bush? huh?

VS

[MiloZ]

Ha! Sorry, I swear I read that as Bush. Nevermind!

[KiteBiker]

Well, just to belabour the obvious - there is a certain animosity between the British and Americans that spills well into the post 911 world Bush/Blair coupling notwithstanding. It almost gets embarrasssing sometimes ... and this comes from a French Canadian with no love lost for either of them.

[eha]

Don't think this is a fair comment, at least not now. Maybe in the past, the administration was pro-British; but the Brits have to fight for their corner these days, along with everyone else. Of course, this may not have filtered through to some of them; good old neo-colonial attitudes still raise their ugly heads from time to time--if allowed. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have pretty well alienated the Arab world in general from both Americans and British. But most people do not allow their disillusionment with Western foreign policy to affect their attitudes to foreigners.