Job Discussion Forums

seriousgirl · Joined: 31 May 2007 Posts: 20

Thank you for your postings on the Hawthorn topic. It deteriorated somewhat, but I guess that is to be expected.

Let me ask very specifically: What is the situation at Uni Nizwa? I understand they have a good reputation. I am considering being hired directly.

I ask because, and I expect to post later on Saudi Arabia, I am currently the victim of (for me) an unusually bad 'teaching' experience in KSA. I do not want to make another exhausting move into another moderate to extremely dysfunctional , unprofessional workplace.

I am just too sensitive to handle the petty politics, futility,nonsense and harassment involved in the department here.Too bad, because I like the people, and the overall situation is fine.(Surprising for single female in Saudi!) After a very rough and late start, one thing after another, the lower admin is currently driving me nuts. I have resigned.

Actually, I am reasonably highly qualified (i.e. no MA, but a BA in English, Celta, and over ten years of experience, mostly in Europe). I feel like I am gaining absolutely nothing in terms of teaching satisfaction here. I may be new to 'the gulf', but I simply cannot believe that every workplace is equally bad. So, now that I have moved all this way, I am looking for a reputable employer in the area, not the devil I don't know.

If you have any suggestions, ladies and gentlemen, about the Uni Nizwa or others in Oman, please feel free to pm or post.

Thanks.

much too serious Rolling Eyes

Dedicated · Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 972 Location: UK

Serious girl,

I can understand your frustration and suggest that you read around all the postings about the Gulf, especially those by Veiled Sentiments, who has wide experience in the area, and gives a balanced, honest view of her years spent in this area.

Unfortunately, whilst you may consider yourself " reasonably highly qualified" with a BA and CELTA, the Gulf universities probably won't, as they require an MA or PhD in an attempt to give themselves credibility.
Sultan Qaboos University , Muscat, wants an MA and a good friend with an MA and heaps of experience stayed just 2 months at Nizwa university and said it was awful. I'll get her permission to give you her e-mail, as you cannot pm yet.

seriousgirl · Joined: 31 May 2007 Posts: 20

Dear dedicated,

Thanks for your reply. I am aware of the MA issue. Are the universities that require an MA actually bearable places to work?

I am at a place now that requires an MA, but made an 'exception' for me. A reasonably highly qualified furniture designer (or anyone other profession for that matter) could potentially be successful here, as it tends to be more a matter of adjusting to this particular scenario, not anything to do with previous instructional skills or competence in this area, or being a native speaker. In fact, this seems to be a drawback.

Thanks also for the comment about Nizwa. It would be great if you could put us in touch.

And are there not some unis that are more 'in-between', accept either an MA or the BA/Celta/experience combo?

It has long been an issue me to justify the expense, trouble of getting an MA in ESL. I am looking for recommendations for MA programs as well, the shorter or more practical, the better.Otherwise I will probably pursue a DELTA, or an MA in another field.
I'm also teaching at the British Council and it's great.

In general, I am looking for a peaceful ,pleasant place to work. I have great difficulty with bs. Life's too short.

Getting more serious by the minute,

serious girl

jwbhomer · Joined: 14 Dec 2003 Posts: 876 Location: CANADA

I am following this thread with some interest because I was offered a position at U. of Nizwa to start in September 2006. I have been second-guessing myself ever since wondering if I missed a bet.

If you use your search tool, you'll find previous threads on Nizwa, including my comments about why I finally turned the job down. One of my reasons was that, at that time, the teachers' apartments were still under construction, which meant (so I was told) that you had to live in town and then drive or be driven to and from the campus. In China I had been used to living on-campus and being able to walk to classes. I would assume...or hope...that the accommodation situation has now been sorted out.

It is significant that they are asking you to join now, in the middle of the year. Perhaps you would be the replacement for Dedicated's friend who has left. That would bear thinking about and I hope Dedicated's friend can give you the "inside dope" on the current situation there.

I'm also wondering if being a woman has anything to do with the problems in adjusting and fitting in to schools in the Gulf. This is not meant to be a sexist remark, only a reflection of the conventional wisdom that the Gulf is a man's world.

4 wheel drive · Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 26

Dear Serious Girl,

I will tell you what I know about Nizwa University. There are two am I am talking about the private one. It is just next to Jebal Akdar.

I had an interview there and I found the staff quite friendly and very pleasant. The Director is a Professor and is Tunisan with alot of experience and hard dedication. The head teacher is an American (with an awsome personality)

They have great benifits and will put you up in a 5 star hotel to start with everything paid food included. They have undergone some huge changes so everything is not perfect but they mean what they say and they will not cheat you....

Oman is a beautiful Country and if you like high mountains and Desert camping you will be in the right place.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

4 wheel drive · Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 26

I really dont think working in Oman with people like this is ok. You will be back in the same place that you are now. Please do not pick Hawthorne as a safe place. Majali is a Recuiter and only that.

As for Veiledsentiments and her friends you will find some truth in what they say only to close a thread that speaks the truth about the whole subject because they call themselves balanced..... If telling the truth is bad why pick Oman. I hope people can see the light here and wake up because being balanced depends on how you treat other people and as for being professional anyone reading these postings will know anyway.

The jealousy is just to much of a bother and that is why they are still in the same place going no where.

Duffy · Joined: 29 Oct 2005 Posts: 449 Location: Oman

4WD,

Have you topped out you liquor licence for December this early already???

Duffy, Shocked

temujinsky · Joined: 07 Aug 2006 Posts: 35 Location: Where I am

Nizwa University is hiring an extra 15 English teachers to bring its complement to 60 by this coming semester.

seriousgirl · Joined: 31 May 2007 Posts: 20

Thanks for your feedback, everyone. it was nice to hear some positive/realistic things. Please keep posting.

Veiled, unfortunately I did not think this place would be professional at all, and I did not come to change anything. I thought it would be possible to just be left alone to do my work, hopefully in a pleasant way, and get some cash. I was wrong about that, because I am conscientious and sought some 'support'. It all happened very quickly, was a lot to absorb. it was improving, but the latest thing is bullying by my immediate supervisor. Apparently, I should just chill out and not care about that either, because nobody else does. Taking it all too seriously.And it will probably pass. But there is some serious 'female envy' happening here, which I dislike,and I am somewhat fragile at the moment, so I thought it best to go. Inconvenient, though.

I would love to tell you where I actually am-it may shed some light on the situation, and you would die laughing. I read some postings about this place last year...

So, I hope to move on to a better place. And get the MA later.

Please PM me if you like.

jwbhomer · Joined: 14 Dec 2003 Posts: 876 Location: CANADA

I haven't been following the ME/Gulf threads much lately. I notice the arrival of 4WD and the absence from this thread of 007. Has anyone ever seen 4WD and 007 at the same time?

mishmumkin · Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 929

temujinsky · Joined: 07 Aug 2006 Posts: 35 Location: Where I am

Is there anything else you can tell us? About Nizwa University? Nizwa itself? And of this ... headteacher?

mishmumkin · Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 929

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

I live in Nizwa, and while the town itself doesn't offer a lot in terms of nightlife (or any life!), the teachers do get together a lot, and there are groups that cater to various interests/hobbies. It's quite possible to have an active social life here. And I agree about buying a car. It's not quite a necessity (you can always bum rides or join the locals and students in the baisa buses), but your quality of life increases exponentially if you have one.

d