Job Discussion Forums

titanicman · Joined: 17 Feb 2003 Posts: 71 Location: Qatar

Hi all...enquiring minds want to know:

1...Are there music schools or tutors where I can learn to play the flute in KSA? I'm so-so but I want to get better.

2...Are there volunteering opportunities in KSA? I'm thinking of orphanages, homeless shelters, senior homes, community centres, charities, etc. Is volunteering part of the KSA-mindset?

3...How long does it take to install a phone in a big city like Riyadh or Jeddah?

4...Do many language schools reinburse their newly hired for visa-related expenses (like medical tests, couriers, etc.)? How many teachers here got reinbursed?

Thanks. Titanicman

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

1. Flute ? Piano maybe. Guitar, perhaps but flute ? You ain't even here yet and you are thinking about flute lessons !

2. Volunteering is not part of the Saudi mindset except for a small and insignificant minority of locals who have lived in the States

3. Are you renting your own place ? Depends on a million factors. Get a cellphone. Easier now than before

4 Visa expenses SHOULD be paid by your employer but.................... Who is your employer anyway ?

ohman · Joined: 09 Sep 2003 Posts: 239 Location: B' Um Fouk, Egypt

There are many flute players in Saudi. You will also find mouth organists,
bag pipers, piccolo players, trumpeters and joystick whistlers. Unfortunately, it's mostly an all male orchestra.

titanicman · Joined: 17 Feb 2003 Posts: 71 Location: Qatar

What do most expat teachers do? Do they use a cell phone, a land line, or both? What are the start-up costs and rates?

Thanks................Titanicman

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

If you are in Riyadh, as your location indicates, why are you asking these elementary questions ?
Can't your colleagues give you the answers ?

If you are not yet in Riyadh should you be asking these detailed questions ? I would worry about geting here before I worried about finding someone who would let me play his flute !

I get the hunch that if you ever arrive you won't last long.

Cleopatra · Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2003 7:15 am Post subject:

Music is somewaht taboo in KSA - certainly riyadh - so you won't find any public schools teaching either the flute or the guitar or the piano! Might try your luck in the ex-pat 'community' though.

Your school should reimubrse you ALL your recruitment costs - visas, med chcecks, excess baggage etc - i got my reimbursement without quibble.

there should be a phone in your accommodation when you arrive. If not, get a mobile - it will be no problem at all.

Volunteering isn't really the done thing here - it's not part of Saudi culture to get involved with anyone other than your family and the ex-pats here are usally too busy looking after number one.