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MyTrunkshow
Joined: 21 Apr 2007
Posts: 234
Location: One map inch from Iraq
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 Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 4:19 am Post subject: |
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Hashim. Thank you.
You have youthful enthusiasm for your new life in Hail and you are about the only one. I've read dismissive, accusatory and inflammatory remarks from Brasscat, Hail's most prolific poster. I find it very hard to get any real information from his comments which are based on his intention to discredit the place. Whatever. Good luck to him but he never posted info about Hail when I asked him. There's a story about The Fox and the Grapes that comes to mind.
I don't expect Hail to be some wonderful oasis of academia but of the 4 people I met at TESOL-Arabia from UOH, I was taken in. One was a teacher, who like yourself, is not a native English speaker but he sure was friendly. The other two, a Brit and a Yank were charming, a bit older and very friendly, light and jovial. If the staff are anything like them, then I will consider myself very fortunate. The vice rector was also very much a gentlemen (although I know this all may be smoke and mirrors but my judge of character is pretty darn good, thank you very much.)
For myself, the most rewarding part of work is relationships. So far there is nothing to suggest it will be difficult finding my own little network of a few people to mingle with at the UOH.
I do have one question though. Is the initial flight for direct hires paid for by the university? ..or do we get there on our own steam? I'm holding off on asking the university these questions until I have visa in hand. This is my first uni. job and I want to tread softly as I'm not familiar with the routine or Saudi customs.
Regards,
mytrunkshow |
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trapezius
Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 1670
Location: Land of Culture of Death & Destruction
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| Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 11:50 am Post subject: |
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I have something to post about UOH, but I also have to cook a fancy lunch now.
So y'all will have to wait for a few hours  |
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hashim99uk
Joined: 23 Dec 2007
Posts: 47
Location: UK
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| Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 2:47 pm Post subject: better than western life |
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| Mia Xanthi wrote: |
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| Donot be hesitated, come and live it is a rich and productive experience. |
Even though I find life in KSA tolerable and even sometimes pleasant, I wouldn't trust anyone who describes a job here as "a rich and productive experience"!  |
Hi
Yes, it is true, at least in my opinion, and the reality of many Wetern people are working in Hail.
Life is not real in the West, material and we have to pay only.
we learn from the west that the life has one face, how to pay !!
headache and psychological problems.
We learn how to ratify our needs, how our children go to the wrong sides and how wives to be independent !! in the name of freedom and democracy !!
Wild west ! |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 2:55 pm Post subject: |
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| ...and some learn to write English. Some better than others. |
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hashim99uk
Joined: 23 Dec 2007
Posts: 47
Location: UK
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| Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 3:05 pm Post subject: tickets after visa |
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| MyTrunkshow wrote: |
Hashim. Thank you.
You have youthful enthusiasm for your new life in Hail and you are about the only one. I've read dismissive, accusatory and inflammatory remarks from Brasscat, Hail's most prolific poster. I find it very hard to get any real information from his comments which are based on his intention to discredit the place. Whatever. Good luck to him but he never posted info about Hail when I asked him. There's a story about The Fox and the Grapes that comes to mind.
I don't expect Hail to be some wonderful oasis of academia but of the 4 people I met at TESOL-Arabia from UOH, I was taken in. One was a teacher, who like yourself, is not a native English speaker but he sure was friendly. The other two, a Brit and a Yank were charming, a bit older and very friendly, light and jovial. If the staff are anything like them, then I will consider myself very fortunate. The vice rector was also very much a gentlemen (although I know this all may be smoke and mirrors but my judge of character is pretty darn good, thank you very much.)
For myself, the most rewarding part of work is relationships. So far there is nothing to suggest it will be difficult finding my own little network of a few people to mingle with at the UOH.
I do have one question though. Is the initial flight for direct hires paid for by the university? ..or do we get there on our own steam? I'm holding off on asking the university these questions until I have visa in hand. This is my first uni. job and I want to tread softly as I'm not familiar with the routine or Saudi customs.
Regards,
mytrunkshow |
When you get the visa you have to contact the university to send you the ticket. Some universities let you pay your ticket then after your arrival they will reimburse you, gives your money back, this for some universities, because many people got tickets then changed their minds , never come !
But most of Saudi universities pay the tickets after getting the Saudi visa.
Good luck
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Mia Xanthi
Joined: 13 Mar 2008
Posts: 955
Location: why is my heart still in the Middle East while the rest of me isn't?
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| Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 3:15 pm Post subject: |
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| We learn how to ratify our needs, how our children go to the wrong sides and how wives to be independent !! in the name of freedom and democracy !! |
Oh, please forgive me. I forgot my place as a woman. The lack of independent wives is what makes KSA such a paradise on earth. I'm so lucky to live here where my husband can be the boss and my children cannot go to the wrong sides.
| Quote: |
Life is not real in the West, material and we have to pay only.
we learn from the west that the life has one face, how to pay !! |
Yes, money means nothing here in Saudi Arabia, or in the Arab world in general. Everyone around me here in KSA focuses on morality rather than materialism. I am so blessed to be here on the Arabian peninsula where there is no greed or corruption as there is in the west.
Now, I have to run get my husband's slippers and make sure my children haven't found any drugs from Thuqbah... oh! that's right!...no drugs here in KSA either. What a bastion of fine, moral, Islamic behavior I live in here. Thank God for saving me from the wicked, wicked western world. |
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MyTrunkshow
Joined: 21 Apr 2007
Posts: 234
Location: One map inch from Iraq
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| Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 4:57 pm Post subject: |
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Looking forward to making it over to Hail. (Yes, I expect to be fully reprimanded from whatever angle one of the naysayers might take...)
There sure are a lot of ankle biters at your heels.
Watch your words coz around the next post lurks dragons in waiting.
See you in September.
Regards,
mytrunkshow |
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Mia Xanthi
Joined: 13 Mar 2008
Posts: 955
Location: why is my heart still in the Middle East while the rest of me isn't?
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| Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 6:16 pm Post subject: |
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Mytrunkshow, just wanted to let you know that in all my many years of teaching overseas, I have never once been asked to pay for my own airfare up front.
I know that you don't want to hear anything negative, and in all honesty I have no idea if the job at Hail is a good one or not, but I do think that having to pay for your own airfare is not a positive sign (if that is indeed what the poster intended to say - I'm still not sure). Most good employers will provide you with a pre-paid ticket. Furthermore, most people who are told that they will be "reimbursed" once they are in the Kingdom never see that money again.
The job may be fine, and this may all turn out well. Just go into it with eyes wide open.  |
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MyTrunkshow
Joined: 21 Apr 2007
Posts: 234
Location: One map inch from Iraq
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 10:43 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| I know that you don't want to hear anything negative |
Mia, that's partly true, but what I had really hoped by writing my Hail posts is to hear the present issues both fact and objective. Suspiciousness, derisive talk and plain rants are best discussed bewteen people who have both experienced the same thing. I haven't experienced any GCC, so I'm at a loss to respond to what some posters comment upon. I do heed advice after choosing carefully selected posters' advice and suggestions tho.
Back to your point. if airfare is not paid, then so be it. If airfare might be discretionary as you are suggesting, then you've given me a heads-up. I can bring this point up soon before the visa is issued. Thanx.
Even if airfare wasn't paid, what am I gonna do? My MA is not yet in hand, ME hiring season is by and large over. In other words I have few options. I'm not terribly desirable from the degree-in-hand and post MA experience point of view.
Everyone needs to live somewhere and right now, Hail, which may or may not turn out well will be home for a year or two. Who knows, as you say...it may turn out well. I've been abroad now for 7 years and either I am lucky or have the right attitude to get along well. I'm not sure which..or maybe it's both.
Hashim, feel free to discuss the housing. There is little written about it except I read that it has a cooker, bathtub (YEEEEHAAAA!!) and it is described as terraced. There are two compounds. How are people divided up? Singles in one and married couples in another? Is there more than one window? Is there a shaded place to park the car?
Regards,
mytrunkshow |
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windstar
Joined: 22 Dec 2007
Posts: 235
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 12:31 pm Post subject: |
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| i was once interested in appyling the university but i could not because of the questions you have in your mind. I believe hashim's answer will shed light on my concerns as well. |
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Stephen Jones
Joined: 21 Feb 2003
Posts: 4124
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 3:18 pm Post subject: |
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The housing is out in the sticks from what I have heard. In, or right next to, a National Park I believe, so if you value the aesthetic over the social, should be OK.
There are some Hail staff at KFUPM and PMU. None regret the move. On the other hand if you are direct hire and are looking for a starting position in Saudi, then Hail seems reasonable, as long as you're not looking for excitement.
As for the air fare, if you are direct hire on a work visa the employer is obliged to pay by law. It is often much more convenient for you to pay and claim reimbursement, but you would be reimbursed. |
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MyTrunkshow
Joined: 21 Apr 2007
Posts: 234
Location: One map inch from Iraq
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 4:14 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| The housing is out in the sticks from what I have heard. In, or right next to, a National Park I believe, so if you value the aesthetic over the social, should be OK. |
I hope you're right. All I need to find is a colleague or two who like to go for drives. Hashim?..are you available? We can share the gas....which would apparently is cheaper than water! On second thought, you buy the water and I'll get the tab for the gas.
From what I've been able to glean, I suspect that Hail is a backwater, ultra conservative region of Saudi. As long as I like my job, my co-workers and teaching then I should be just fine for the two year contract. The key is being flexible and adaptable to rotating schedules, students beginning half way through the semester and all kinds of curve balls that greet one's morning in the ESL world.
Regards,
mytrunkshow |
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hashim99uk
Joined: 23 Dec 2007
Posts: 47
Location: UK
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| Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 10:52 am Post subject: look at the bright side |
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| MyTrunkshow wrote: |
| Quote: |
| I know that you don't want to hear anything negative |
Mia, that's partly true, but what I had really hoped by writing my Hail posts is to hear the present issues both fact and objective. Suspiciousness, derisive talk and plain rants are best discussed bewteen people who have both experienced the same thing. I haven't experienced any GCC, so I'm at a loss to respond to what some posters comment upon. I do heed advice after choosing carefully selected posters' advice and suggestions tho.
Back to your point. if airfare is not paid, then so be it. If airfare might be discretionary as you are suggesting, then you've given me a heads-up. I can bring this point up soon before the visa is issued. Thanx.
Hi
Please donot listen to the negative people. I am asking them why saty in KSA despite you are suffering and describe anything in SA as negative and bad !!
It is just a hypocrasy, there are many teaching jobs in Korea,taiwan and Asia, why stay in SA and complaining ! but the fact that SA is better in saving money, more holidays and the job itself is very easy ! this is the fact that nobody tells but only the negative sides ! why they hide the positive sides !why they stick to their jobs in SA with this great suffering !
Nobody says about good pay,saving and holidays which make people to be stuck !
We have to be impartial, and deliver fair information, but some people are hypocrite and stay in SA because of many advantages.
We have to be fair and impartial not to give wrong or bias information.
Put your trust in God and start your job ASAP, you will regret nothing.
Even if airfare wasn't paid, what am I gonna do? My MA is not yet in hand, ME hiring season is by and large over. In other words I have few options. I'm not terribly desirable from the degree-in-hand and post MA experience point of view.
Everyone needs to live somewhere and right now, Hail, which may or may not turn out well will be home for a year or two. Who knows, as you say...it may turn out well. I've been abroad now for 7 years and either I am lucky or have the right attitude to get along well. I'm not sure which..or maybe it's both.
Hashim, feel free to discuss the housing. There is little written about it except I read that it has a cooker, bathtub (YEEEEHAAAA!!) and it is described as terraced. There are two compounds. How are people divided up? Singles in one and married couples in another? Is there more than one window? Is there a shaded place to park the car?
Regards,
mytrunkshow |
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hashim99uk
Joined: 23 Dec 2007
Posts: 47
Location: UK
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| Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 10:55 am Post subject: Hypocrasy |
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| MyTrunkshow wrote: |
| Quote: |
| I know that you don't want to hear anything negative |
Mia, that's partly true, but what I had really hoped by writing my Hail posts is to hear the present issues both fact and objective. Suspiciousness, derisive talk and plain rants are best discussed bewteen people who have both experienced the same thing. I haven't experienced any GCC, so I'm at a loss to respond to what some posters comment upon. I do heed advice after choosing carefully selected posters' advice and suggestions tho.
Back to your point. if airfare is not paid, then so be it. If airfare might be discretionary as you are suggesting, then you've given me a heads-up. I can bring this point up soon before the visa is issued. Thanx.
Hi
Please donot listen to the negative people. I am asking them why saty in KSA despite you are suffering and describe anything in SA as negative and bad !!
It is just a hypocrasy, there are many teaching jobs in Korea,taiwan and Asia, why stay in SA and complaining ! but the fact that SA is better in saving money, more holidays and the job itself is very easy ! this is the fact that nobody tells but only the negative sides ! why they hide the positive sides !why they stick to their jobs in SA with this great suffering !
Nobody says about good pay,saving and holidays which make people to be stuck !
We have to be impartial, and deliver fair information, but some people are hypocrite and stay in SA because of many advantages.
We have to be fair and impartial not to give wrong or bias information.
Put your trust in God and start your job ASAP, you will regret nothing.
Even if airfare wasn't paid, what am I gonna do? My MA is not yet in hand, ME hiring season is by and large over. In other words I have few options. I'm not terribly desirable from the degree-in-hand and post MA experience point of view.
Everyone needs to live somewhere and right now, Hail, which may or may not turn out well will be home for a year or two. Who knows, as you say...it may turn out well. I've been abroad now for 7 years and either I am lucky or have the right attitude to get along well. I'm not sure which..or maybe it's both.
Hashim, feel free to discuss the housing. There is little written about it except I read that it has a cooker, bathtub (YEEEEHAAAA!!) and it is described as terraced. There are two compounds. How are people divided up? Singles in one and married couples in another? Is there more than one window? Is there a shaded place to park the car?
Regards,
mytrunkshow |
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hashim99uk
Joined: 23 Dec 2007
Posts: 47
Location: UK
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| Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 10:59 am Post subject: Hypocrasy |
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| MyTrunkshow wrote: |
Dear Hashim,
I think I understand it now. There seems to be quite a difference in getting hired by Tulbah than directly by the university. I was hired by the university so this will enable me to get an iqama.
My carbon footprint is gonna be huge as I love driving and need that iqama to drive!!!!
______________
BoundforSaudi. Thanx. I found the school. Looks teeny tiny. Now, if the accommodations are 20km west, that would put them in the mountains or out the SE highway. Hmm. I will need a car for sure.
Hi
Please donot listen to the negative people. I am asking them why saty in KSA despite you are suffering and describe anything in SA as negative and bad !!
It is just a hypocrasy, there are many teaching jobs in Korea,taiwan and Asia, why stay in SA and complaining ! but the fact that SA is better in saving money, more holidays and the job itself is very easy ! this is the fact that nobody tells but only the negative sides ! why they hide the positive sides !why they stick to their jobs in SA with this great suffering !
Nobody says about good pay,saving and holidays which make people to be stuck !
We have to be impartial, and deliver fair information, but some people are hypocrite and stay in SA because of many advantages.
We have to be fair and impartial not to give wrong or bias information.
Put your trust in God and start your job ASAP, you will regret nothing. [/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b]
Regards,
mytrunkshow |
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