Job Discussion Forums

[Smooth Operator]

Hello guys. As the title says, is it possible to do this working at a university in the ME? I live a pretty frugal life (for example, going out for dinner only once or twice a month, rarely drinking in bars) but always travel in the 3-4 months off a year (albeit backpacker style). Can I save this much in the ME? Just wondering.

Thanks for any feedback.

[NadiaK]

With the current exchange rate and on a teacher's salary, I'd say you'd be lucky. Depending on salary (obviously), you could probably save GBP 1000+ per month in a good job; Most tertiary insitutions in the UAE pay about 20,000 per year starting salary, and I think they're probably among the better payers in the region. I'm open to correction, though!

[veiledsentiments]

You haven't mentioned your credentials. Unless you have an MA and very extensive related experience, you would be hard pressed to even find a salary of $40,000 per year.

Perhaps if you have a PhD... and a solid CV...

VS

[Smooth Operator]

Fair enough. An MA (but not in TESOL) and 6 years university teaching experience, mostly in EAP, academic writing and CALL. The ME is attractive but I am wondering how much a move there will affect my ability to save for a relaxing retirement. The packages on offer to university teachers in the ME seem very different to those in Japan, as regards taxes, accommodation, flights and so on. I am just trying to compare the bottom line. Thanks for the replies.

[denise]

Are you able to save that much in Japan? I'm in Oman, which doesn't pay as well as other Gulf countries. The salary here is similar to what I was getting in Japan (although I wasn't earning one of the higher-end university salaries there... 300,000 in an IEP program), but given the tax-free status and the lower cost of living, saving is much easier here.

d

[007]

I doubt if he can save �20,000 a year, unless if he can live with �1 a day (assuming his monthly free tax salary is �1600).
But then he will die from malnutrition.

[WD40]

There are many jobs in the ME that pay very well without the need for an MA - the more qualifications you have the better your chances. If you have a teaching qualification your chances of achieving better pay increases even further. Sadly, many but not all of the MA only qualified teachers I have worked with have very poor teaching methods. They have little ability to engage the students, have limited class management and lack empathy with the students. It is not always enough to have the theory if you lack the means of getting it across. One colleague who had an MA refused to be observed based on the fact that she had an MA. The new UAE programs being sponsored by ADEC specifically emphasize teaching qualifications and experience.

[trapezius]

I can't speak for other countries, but in Saudi Arabia, it is very easy to survive on SR. 1000/month, and thrive on SR. 2000/month. Taking the higher figure, that's USD 6,400/yr. Add to that some more and make it $7,500/yr.

Assuming free furnished accomodation, and health insurance and 1-2 tickets a year paid for, as long as one is making at least $47,500 a year, it is very easy to save $40,000 a year.

BTW, $47,500/yr = SR. 14,844/month.

Now, since not many higher education jobs in SA offer that kind of salary, it won't be that easy to save $40,000. But still one can easily save [yearly salary in $] - [$5,000 to $7,500].

BTW, Western schools in SA do offer salaries ranging from $45,000 to $60,000+ for overseas hired US/UK-qualified teachers with experience.

[scot47]

Outside BAE, Raytheon and Booze Allen, there are few people teaching EFL in KSA earning this sort of money. Most salaries are nearer US$3,000 a month than US$4,000 a month

[canadashirleyblue]

I don't know how anyone could survive on 1000 SR a month. That's $270. I would have paid about that for groceries. I thought they were the same or more than I would have paid in Canada. Taxis are cheap. It would be a minimum fare of $1.35. The trips I made usually cost around $4 to $7. The airport was $20 one way. A meal at the Turkish restaurant would be around $10. The Japanese was more like $25. And then there is the phone, internet and tv. You need to buy your drinking water (more expensive than petrol). Employing a cleaner was really cheap. I had to pay for my exit and re-entry visas and 10% of my medical bills. It's not expensive as places go but I think survival would be in the 2000 SR range.

[scot47]

2000 SR is for a 'western-style' existence. You can do it much cheaper.
Sure if you go to the supermarket and buy all those convenience foods you can spend a lot.

I find the greater temptation is going online with my credit card and buying all the books and DVD's that are out there !

[canadashirleyblue]

Well Scot I bought the groceries from Tamimi but I didn't buy much in the way of convenience food (except Frosties ). I would have but they didn't really have much. The convenience foods there tended to be stuff you had to deep fry. Where do you get your food that is cheaper? And loo roll and toothpaste etc. Surely it is dearer, if anything, in the little shops.

[trapezius]

You gotta shop at Danube, Panda, Geant, Giant, Watani, Carrefour, etc (the ultra mega huge chain grocery stores).

[scot47]

You have to learn to live like an Indian. They live in KSA and support families on 1000 SR a month. You can too.

[canadashirleyblue]

No I can't!

I've been to some of the stores you mentioned and I didn't find them a lot cheaper. Anyway I would have had to pay a bigger taxi bill to get there.

OK. You can live on 1000SR a month. If you choose to. Not many people would - even Indians - given a choice. You can live on baked beans and toast in the UK if you choose to. I would be pretty miserable working hard and then living like I was on the dole. Maybe the saving would make it worthwhile for some people.