Job Discussion Forums

[xanthippe180]

I am thinking about a job and I want to get some feedback about the salary... what would you expect to be paid for teaching 30 hours a week in Oman? If it makes a difference, I would be in Muscat.

I have been offered US DOllars 1400 to 1800 (not sure which end of that scale yet) for 30 hours a week (which will probably be pretty exhausting). Is this below average, or generally acceptable? Will I be able to save much of it? I usually dont spend a lot of money and am okay with eating cheaper food, not taking taxis, not going out at night, etc. but I dont have a good idea about living costs. Any feedback that can help me decide about the job will be much appreciated!

[veiledsentiments]

That is very low and would only be acceptable if you have no degree or the normal cert and limited experience. Also any foreign hire contract should include free furnished housing, tickets, a gratuity, and medical.

VS

[xanthippe180]

Airfare and accomodation are included (airfare is supposed to be reimbursed if they dont choose to fire me... im planning to request it upfront, or at least half of it, to be safe). No medical. Its only a 2 month contract, so I cant ask for too much, but the idea is to save enough money to make it worthwhile at least.

I have a B.A. and TEFL certificate, and about a year of experience. Still low?

[xanthippe180]

Different way to ask the same question... if youre really, really devoted to living cheaply and saving money, whats the minimum you might be able to live on each month, in rials?

[omanized]

It sounds not too bad with one year of experience, reimbursed flight and accomodation paid for - for only two months ?? Muscat is similar to a north American city for food cost - you can go cheap and usually healthy or you can hit the up-scale restaurants and pay 20$ for dinner.

Regarding flights, why would anyone pay you upfront for your flight? So you can then carry on visiting and not show up for work? They have to have some security - would you rather surrender your passport and get paid?

30 hours is a bit heavy, but if it's summer school, then it is not a real workload - minimal prep and marking I would say - I am involved in something similar and have done it for 3 years now - not difficult at all - the kids and adults in Oman are a pleasure to teach and so your daily contact is pretty stress-free.

Of course you must feel some trepidation and there is a level of 'trust' that is required when you take on a contract, but why assume that you might be fired? No medical? You will fly with travel insurance won't you? This is clearly not an annual contract with the usual terms but still seems to be lucrative enough - I fear you might be assuming that any chance to work in the Gulf is like a lottery win - well, it's not - just read these boards and see ! The "good ol' days" are over !

omzd

[veiledsentiments]

I agree with Omanized that it is fair enough considering your credentials and that it is a temporary contract. You can easily pick up a reasonably priced travel medical insurance policy... and I recommend it.

Personally I have never had to pay for a ticket and get reimbursed, but as this is an unusual short-term contract, it is fair enough I guess. I would do a search on here to see if there has been any discussion of the employer's track record of doing what they say they will.

I would ask about them transport from work to home... taxis are not cheap if it is a long trip and it is likely your only choice - especially pricey if you are doing a split shift. That and food will be your major expenditure. I assume that you are aware of how hot it is at this time of year...

VS

[kuberkat]

If you really have your heart set on experiencing the country, it's an OK deal. However, people with one year's experience are typically earning RO 700+ accommodation + transport allowance + tickets + 2 months paid annual leave in the smalltown ministerial colleges. If a permanent gig is what you're after, that might be more profitable.

[kuberkat]

Oh, and BTW, if they are not including accommodation, that rate is extortion.

[stabnkill]

I'm guessing this is ELS summer contract where they bring you in on a tourist visa and house you near the school. Getting a plane ticket for a two month contract is pretty good. You will be in the country illegally, but for two months that isn't really a problem. The salary isn't that bad as long as they are providing a place for you to live because rents have skyrocketed in Muscat recently. If you want to stay in Oman, it will be easier for you to make connections once you are here. In the past ELS has housed it's summer teachers in the apartment building behind it. If that is the case you don't have to worry about transportation to and from work. You can live on about 50 rials a month if you really want to, but it would take discipline. It is really hot here. Check if you will be paying utilities.

[veiledsentiments]

[Duffy]

Stabnkill,

[omanized]

Duffy ! Can't you cook at all ? Isn't it you who catches fish every week in Salalah ?

Anyway, 50 rial is a little tight, granted, but not at all impossible - veggies from the Al Fair, rice, chicken and fish, a box of bottled water and you're good! You could even eat out at selected Indian restaurants, Lebanese or Turkish for 3 rial - perhaps a weekly treat !

Hey, it's not my style of living but if you need to do it, it just takes effort - Maybe Oman can start its own "500" club !


omzd

[Duffy]

The fishing is poor and we do not have an Al Fear here, so living in Salalah would not be nice with only 50 OR/-. A colleague who has been here many years, says it is just possible here in Salalah, but with very limited foodstuffs, but not in Muscat. Also, what if one has to buy medicines , clothes, entertainment?? Forget that!! heaven forbid that a person should smoke and drink.

In order to exist at all it would mean spending the whole two months just working and then sitting in the apartment. No possibility of hiring a car to get out and about to see some of the country, taxis, though cheap still cost.

VS wrote

[stabnkill]

There are many Indian restaurants that have Thali (an all-you-can-eat type vegetarian meal). Thali ranges from 800Bz to 1.500 rials. Indian snacks or "chaats" are inexpensive and filling.

Falafal sandwiches are around 300 bz each. Muscat Bakery in Al Khuwair has very good falafal sandwiches. Grilled meat sandwiches are cheap as well. There are lots of Fahtayer places all over Muscat. Again, around 300bz , many different toppings.

Lulu has cheap vegetables. The Friday Market in Wadi Kabeer has a fruit and vegetable market that is cheaper than Lulu. Buying locally gown vegetables (carrots 350bz/kilo, for example) is cheaper than imported stuff.

You can buy a helping of grilled cuttlefish in the Al Khuwair park, near Qurum beach, or on Seeb beach for around 300 bz. Grilled meat is available near the beaches.

Some types of fresh fish cost less than a rial per kilo at Lulu.

Canned food is usually about 300 bz per can. A bag of pasta is about the same price.

You can get a 6-pack of ow-quality canned tuna for a rial.

Pita/Arabic bread is 100bz for 3 pieces.

Flour is cheap. Bread is easy to make.

Shared taxis cost a few hundred baizas.

Hanging out at malls is free.

Going to the beach is free.

Museums are inexpensive.

How much more is there really to do? Go to the few crappie bars here? Go bowling?

Buy something cheap if you want to sit at a caf� for a long time and not waste money. Or, better yet, don�t buy anything. Starbucks will never kick you out for not buying anything and they�ll give you tap water to drink if you don�t want to spend 500bz on their bottled water.

I seriously have known people who, for their own personal reasons, have lived on around 50 rials a month (excluding rent, car and utilities). Yes, they did spend most of their time sitting around their houses. Posters, can any of you say that you don't spend most of your time sitting around your houses? How much of what you do (entertainment-related) costs money?

I think the original poster figured that she or he wasn�t going to be living the high life and saving most of his/ her salary at the same time.

Yes, VS, you are absolutely correct. Please excuse my somewhat obvious error. I write in haste.

[denise]

Even sitting around the house takes money if you want to be comfortable, though--satellite and internet.

d