Job Discussion Forums

tiger_down_under · Joined: 03 Jul 2003 Posts: 4

I've just accepted a position in Muscat at one of the new tertiary institutes. I'm going alone and need to sort out accommodation. Any advice for an Antipodean female in her late 20s on finding a place or meeting people?

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

Hi Tiger,

Strange that a tertiary institution is not providing housing or at least a bit of assistance along with an allowance. Since this is rather specific info, you could send me a PM. I expect that KAW can help you out more on the social situation for your age group. That is rather out of my realm of experience, I fear. Smile

VS

kaw · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2003 4:57 am Post subject: A social life???

Hi Tiger
Sorry but can't help you much with the social scene in Muscat. I'm in the middle of nowhere and as such we tend to hang out with each other/ by ourselves during the week and weekends everyone does their own thing.
I do know that there are a million and one things to do in Muscat - sports clubs, amateur dramatics etc which would be one way of getting to meet people you don't actually work with.
The bar at the Intercontinental hotel also seems a popular place for "young" ex-pats to hang out. I personally don't really know anyone in Muscat - as am not there often enough. I'll be pretty easy to meet people I guess.
There's a pretty good publication out - which comes out every 2(?) months I think called Oman today (at least I think that is what it's called) - it basically tells you whats on and where. I'll try and find a copy for you and give some more info.

I agree with VS about the accommodation thing - the college are surely providing an allowance and surely there is someone there to help with finding somewhere decent.

Anyway must dash - level meeting to attend.

C76 · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2003 8:23 pm Post subject:

Hi Tiger,

They're not giving you any housing?!?

I haven't started teaching yet...But these days, if I see a job posting that doesn't include housing...I just say "no".

My reaction may sound snotty. However, I think it shows a company's courtesy. Wink

You, my dear, are braver than I am. I don't yet have the nerve to go anywhere without everything set up for me.

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

Hi C76,

I think your response in sensible in your position. As a newbie, not knowing the ropes, it is a good idea to go to the places who will help you with it all.

One problem with many of the smaller private colleges is that providing housing for people can be such a headache. Everyone likes the other people's flat better than the one they got - or they whinge constantly how this one's furniture is better than mine. It can be endless aggravation for the person trying to please a batch of teachers (someone on here compared managing EFL teachers as similar to herding cats). Thus many of them have changed over to housing allowances and letting the employees handle it themselves. Actually I prefer that system but I have been around the area a long time and know it.

Finding your own accomodations is fine if they have hooked you up with other teachers who can help you out - that you can discuss it with before you arrive - and that they put you up in temporary housing for a certain amount of time before you have to get your own place - at least a month I would think.

VS

zakiah25 · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 155 Location: Oman

Hi Tiger
As a suggestion, you could stay at NHI (National Hospitality Institute) temporarily while you're looking for a place. NHI is a vocational training college but it runs it's own accommodation like a hotel to give the students some "on the job" training - I think they have a reasonable weekly or monthly rate and the rooms are fully furnished and self contained with kitchens. In Muscat, their telephone number is 7712139 and they are situated at Wadi al Khabir which is fairly close to the major shopping area of Ruwi. If you phone, ask to speak to the housekeeper and tell her that you're a new teacher - I know that there are some teachers staying there, from Muscat College, I think.
Kaw is right, there are plenty of social clubs in Muscat and the Intercontinental Hotel is a popular meeting place for expats. There are cinemas in Muscat that show the latest films (censored), lots of shopping places/malls and a new shopping centre at Seeb.
Where is your place of employment in Muscat - I'm asking because Muscat is very spread out and it's quite a distance from one end to the other?
best wishes
Zakiah

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

Ya Zakiah

Is that phone number correct? Doesn't it have an extra digit or have they lately switched to seven digits?

Whereabouts is this located in Wadi al-Kabir? Not an area I know very well. Rather at the opposite end of where I spent most of my time. (I could check out my AZ Street Atlas and Gazetteer -- only in Oman are they so organized to have such a thing!!)

This is great information. What kind of rates are they offering or is all negotiable? Smile

VS

zakiah25 · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 155 Location: Oman

Dear VS
Most telephone nos in Muscat have 6 digits but some do have 7, that is the correct number for NHI Telephone 7712139 and their fax number is 7717125. Also Polygot Institute has 7 digits and their number is 7731261.
NHI is good for visitors, for overnight stays they used to charge RO12 which included a light breakfast. The teachers at Muscat College stayed there on a long term basis and were on special rates but I'm not sure of the current rate.
Wadi al Khabir is on the new road to Muttrah, you will see signs as you go through Ruwi. It's also the road that takes you to the Al Bustan Palace Hotel and to the Yacht Club. NHI is near the Sri Lankan School. Also, they have built a new covered fruit and vegetable market just 100 metres up the road which is surrounded by a large open market. So, it's an interesting place to wander through.
regards
Zakiah

C76 · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2003 10:44 pm Post subject:

Since we're looking @ conditions in Muscat and the surrounding areas...Can someone please pm me the names of any recommended organizations?

Will go back now and re-read your messages to see if I missed anything.

I've been stuck in a fog lately. Trying to prepare my passport application. Confused

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

Wow Zahiah, one learns something every day in the mysterious Middle East. Smile

Who knew that some people got an extra digit in their phones numbers. Thanks for the info.

C76: what kind of organizations are you looking for?

Also, I was looking around in the Newbie Forum and you asked about cars in Oman. Oman is rather like suburban America, you really need a car. My last stint there I did live in one of the few areas where one can walk to shopping, but it is not common. Everything is so spread out, that you really do need to drive - IMHO. So, get that driving license. It opens up your options.

VS

tiger_down_under · Joined: 03 Jul 2003 Posts: 4

Thanks Zakiah, VS and Kaw for your replies regarding accommodation and meeting people in Muscat - that's really helped a lot!

Zakiah, you asked where in Muscat I'd like to stay. I'd like to live around Bausher. If anyone out there has any additional info I'd love to hear from you.

MindTraveller · Joined: 13 Mar 2003 Posts: 89 Location: Oman

About travelling in the Omani countryside alone - I do it all the time. In my own car, of course. I don't have a 4-wheel drive, so I stick to the main, paved roads and have NEVER had problems at all.

I did the same in the UAE. Just smile, say "Salam ah lakum", etc. I admit, in Oman, I've over 40..... but the dyed blond hair does still attract whistles. I guess some Arab males aren't too good at guessing ages of Westeners.

I'm much more bothered to walk into town and be stared at by a 100 or so Indians and Pakistanians than I am to drive around the countryside in my car with my camera and a smile. But then, being born in Chicago makes me tough.