Job Discussion Forums

middleastman · Joined: 19 Feb 2006 Posts: 73

Hi all,

Im not sure where to post this as there doesnt seem to be a suitable place. I want to work in Afghanistan and have 5 years teaching experience already in the middle-east. Not wishing to sound harsh but im not interested in any "get a flak- jacket" or "why do you want to teach in a war zone" answers. I just want to make a positive contribution to a war- torn nation. Does anyone have any ideas?

Many thanks.

007 · Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:10 pm Post subject: Re: working in afghanistan

middleastman · Joined: 19 Feb 2006 Posts: 73

thanks for that useless and opinionated reply. Im not really interested in your political opinions but if i want to solve the worlds problems at least I know where to ask now. cheers.

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

There is a place that advertises now and again. If I recall correctly, I think it is the American University of... Kabul or Afghanistan...

Try a search at the job ads page... and google...

VS

Neil McBeath · Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Posts: 277 Location: Saudi Arabia

The American University of Afghanistan had an advert on Dave's International Jobs Board on February 12th.

Try there.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 9:17 am Post subject:

They won't hire you if you can't stand to be without the family. Single-statue only.

NCTBA

middleastman · Joined: 19 Feb 2006 Posts: 73

Thank-you for the replies so far. Apart from the first one they're really useful.

007 · Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 12:32 pm Post subject:

A foreign teacher looking to work in Afghanistan, a particularly violent country, should first research the country and the conditions of the job. How secure is the instructor�s home and school from violence?

Security should come first!
ESl English teacher killed in Afghanistan. And he was an Afghan!!
http://esldaily.blogspot.com/2007/11/esl-instructor-killed-in-afghanistan.html

So, before you put your feet in Afghanistan think about your family back home.

Extraordinary Rendition · Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 12:57 pm Post subject:

Just curious, why is it 'single' status only? If a spouse (wife or husband) wants to run the risk with their partner, whose business is it but their (the couple's) own? Is it that the employing authority is concerned that the employee will abandon the post more readily if the environment changes for the worse to protect the spouse? I guess I'm stupid or naive, but I don't get it...

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

I totally get it.

I have to say that I agree with the employer here. This is a single status job where there are risks. Anyone who read the newspapers knows that things are not getting better in Afghanistan, but more violent daily - even in Kabul. And I'm certain that the employer will make any applicant aware of the situation in the interview.

Personally if I were doing the interviewing and the person said... "hey no problem... bombs now and again in the market? The wife can take it." That person would be out of consideration. There is no way to know if the spouse is getting any say... or if she is being forced into it by an abusive or controlling husband.

Not to mention in case of a total collapse of the situation, there are fewer people to round up to get out of harm's way. It is common sense.

Not to mention significantly cheaper...

VS

Extraordinary Rendition · Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 4:21 pm Post subject:

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

I expect that Afghanistan has segregated classes, so men would teach men. If they have women students, they would have to have women teachers.

I would consider women like me (or rather me a few years back Cool

). Mature women with no dependents who have experience in the Muslim world and have lived in third world conditions. Ex-peace corps women would also be an option. A teaching couple would also be a possibility.

I'd say that both of us are very realistic about the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan. Kabul is not yet as dangerous for foreigners as Baghdad, but one never knows.

VS

Extraordinary Rendition · Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 4:53 pm Post subject:

I hadn't considered the segregated classes issue. No women teaching men, of course! I saw the American University posting, but didn't give it a second thought until now. Any idea why they didn't specify gender in their recruitment advert? It's an academic discussion (pun intended), but now I'm curious...

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

In most cases, if it is an American organization doing the advertising, they are stuck dealing with American employment law which doesn't allow the mention of sex in the ad. So, even if the employer doesn't allow women, it can't be mentioned. AMIDEAST was caught in this quandary when they were managing the MLI contract. Even though for the first years they could hire no women per their military employers, they had to accept CVs and even interview them to avoid lawsuits. They eventually convinced the military to accept female teachers.

I am speculating, but this may be the situation... or it just may be that they need both...

VS

Extraordinary Rendition · Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 7:00 pm Post subject:

I think your answer is right on target, but I'm still struck by the lack of information in the original American University advert. Any mention of 'single status only' would have stuck in my mind. Perhaps they wanted it, for whatever reason, to appear to be 'business as usual'? Or am I being unfair?