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[redeyes]

Hello all, esp. Veiled sentiments, Scot47,Qatarchic,Cleopatra and others who gave me first class sterling advice when I briefly posted on these boards some years ago.

I�d like to make some general enquiries about working in the ME �


I don�t drive. Is that a problem in most ME/Gulf countries?

( edited by redeyes )

[veiledsentiments]

Hello again

Not driving would be a problem for much of the Gulf. Saudi is the place that is easiest for non-drivers because most places will bus their employees to their sites. Scot and other can tell you more about Saudi transport. The rest of the Gulf tends to only provide an employee bus if you are teaching far from where the housing is located. (like a remote military establishment). Thus you are stuck with taxis and that can be costly. Bus systems tend to be very limited... making it perhaps impossible to get from flat to college.

As to lifestyle, Saudi and Kuwait don't offer booze, but the other countries do - if that matters.

I think your credentials should get you an interview in most places. Your experience should help overcome the fact that your MA isn't directly related. Writing teachers are one of the greater needs and if you have taught Arabic speakers that would be a plus. I think that your creds look like a good fit with HCT, ZU, AUS, and probably UAEU in the Emirates... perhaps QU in Qatar... SQU in Oman.

In your CV, I would emphasize your teaching of writing at all levels because for Arabic speakers this is their most difficult skill to master.

VS

[Sheikh Inal Ovar]

[Cleopatra]

Regarding the MA, it very much depends. As others have said, some institutions really do mean it when they say they require a relevant MA: I applied to a well-known university in the Gulf, and even though I had worked in the region before and my application was initially received favourably, I was turned down because I had not yet completed my MA. This, despite the fact that my MA (in Applied Linguistics) would indeed have been completed by the time I had taken up employment with them, and I had a letter from my Professor vouching for me. Such decisions are usually taken by local HR - who can be real sticklers for paperwork - than by expat department heads, who tend to be a bit more flexible in such matters.

That said, if you have good experience, as you do, then some places might be prepared to take you, even if in theory they 'require' MAs. This is certainly true for some employers in KSA, although a few of them might demand that you begin work on an MA during your first year of employment. Anyway, can't hurt to send off your CV to a few places.

Regarding driving, some people will tell you that you can't survive without a car here, but they are probably the same people who would tell you that anywhere in the world. As someone who has no choice but to live without a car - I'm a woman living in KSA - I would say that while a car would certainly make your life easier, it's by no means a necessity. Of course, I am only speaking about the city I know - Riyadh. Public transport isn't really an option here, but taxis are cheap and easy to find. Of course, if you're using them on a daily basis it could get expensive, but if you have transport to work and only need taxis for an occasional shopping trip or social event, there's really no absolute need for your own car.

[redeyes]

Many thanks to all of you for your time in commenting --

As far as Universities go, is it a fairly similar teaching scenario in Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE and Qatar as regards pay scales and employers academic requirements? I hate to generalize regarding countries -- but it's worth asking since culturally and geographically, these countries are (I imagine) at least to a degree, fairly homogeneous/close.

[Cleopatra]

I've never heard of any employer having a limit on the number of years a teacher can stay with them. Quite the opposite: because many people come to this part of the world to make some fast money and move on, employers actively encourage good staff to stay on as long as possible. In fact, in some Gulf countries, problems can arise when you wish to move from one employer to another in the same country, and are unable to do so because your previous employer will not provide the paperwork which is legally required to make such a move.

Regarding accommodation, I've always found it to be one of the perks of life here. Sure, you'll hear people complain, but when you compare the average teacher's apartment here to the ones they typically have to endure in the Far East or Europe, it puts it all in a different perspective. Apartments are typically modern and very spacious, although maintenance, as often in this part of the world, is not a strong point. Obviously this is a generalisation, and standards of accommodation vary from one place to the next.

[redeyes]

Cleopatra , thanks very much for your reply -- very much appreciated.



Thanks for the information -- it is encouraging that Unis want their workers to stay on, and that they ( presumably) appreciate serious and committed teachers.

[Cleopatra]

[007]