Job Discussion Forums

megone · Joined: 21 Jun 2008 Posts: 49

I thought Oman would be a better experience for me because it's a more moderate country without strict dress codes, travel restrictions for females, etc. Yet, as I read the comments on the Oman forum and on the Saudi forum, people seem to have more favorable comments about living and working in KSA. For those who've lived and worked in KSA and Oman, could you share your experiences? If you've only lived in or the other, I'd like your feedback too. Thanks.

Cleopatra · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 8:02 pm Post subject:

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 9:19 pm Post subject:

What Cleo said is right. It depends on a lot of factors. People I know who have worked in Muscat have been very happy. Those with assignments in rural Oman have been miserable. There is usually more money for KSA jobs, so those with financial priorities are happier in KSA. Those who need a beautiful environment with more interaction with the locals are more likely to thrive in Oman.

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

In the 1980s and 1990s, the traffic between Oman and Saudi was one way. People who had experience of working in Saudi Arabia started coming to Oman. Nobody went the other way.

Since 2000, higher pay scales in Saudi Arabia reversed this position.

There is, however, one more telling point. People who have worked in Oman tend to return for visits. Obviously, that is all but impossible to do in Saudi Arabia, but I feel that even if it were possible, few would choose to do it.

sheikh radlinrol · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 1222 Location: Spain

johnslat · Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 6:53 pm Post subject:

I'd like to go back (for a brief stay) just to visit some friends.

megone · Joined: 21 Jun 2008 Posts: 49

I certainly agree that it would depend a lot on the employer. Thus, I'm curious to know which employers in either KSA or Oman people would recommend? I have an MA in English, TEFL certification, and experience (though not a lot) of teaching ESL to adults on the community college level in the US.

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

I will speak only for Oman and let those with Saudi experience cover it.

In Oman, with an MA and a year or more of university level experience, you are eligible to get an offer from Sultan Qaboos University. It is the best job in Oman, but you don't go to Oman for the money. They are a dependable, generally low stress employer, with some of the nicest students in the Gulf. The furnished housing ranges from good to great (luck of the draw), and your fellow teachers a nice mix of nationalities who work well together (for the most part).

Personally I would recommend SQU as a much better choice for a first job in the Middle East. There is no dress code for women teachers other than to use common sense modesty in a country where the local women are covered. I had my own car within days of arriving and loved every minute of living and teaching in Oman.

One factor that you didn't mention was whether your experience is before or after completion of your MA. That would make a difference in your pay. If your teaching is after your MA, I would also look at jobs in the UAE and Qatar. Best case would be if you had an MA+2 years of teaching at a university or college.

VS

Cleopatra · Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 6:59 am Post subject:

I was going to post further comments but then I thought, why bother?

Is it just me or does anyone else find it odd when someone makes an OP asking for personal advice, and then does not bother either to acknowledge the replies or continue the discussion?

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

...err Cleo... she did respond in the message right above my post... where she updated with her credentials.

VS

megone · Joined: 21 Jun 2008 Posts: 49

I actually first responded on Friday, 8/1 in response to the two respondents who requested more info about me, my qualifications, etc. I then went out of town for several days and thought I'd have internet access where I was staying. It turned out that I ended up having no internet access where I was staying, so I couldn't post again until I got back home last night. As I scrolled through the comments, I found that what I posted on Friday 8/1 apparently didn't go through. For some reason, the comment didn't post even though I clicked 'submit'. I don't know why it didn't post. I'll be sure to check to see if this one goes through. For those of you who may have been offended (it seems to me that most of you were not), please, before criticizing someone for what they did or didn't do, please take into account that there may be extenuating circumstances at work, as there were in this case. But for the record, I appreciate all of the responses about your experiences and certainly will welcome any more.

Cleopatra · Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 5:30 pm Post subject:

sheikh radlinrol · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 1222 Location: Spain

megone · Joined: 21 Jun 2008 Posts: 49

I have one semester of teaching prior to the MA and the rest of my teaching has been after the MA. Thanks, veiledsentiments, for mentioning SQU and the details about dress and the atmosphere. It's nice to hear that someone's had a postive experience in Oman! I hadn't looked into SQU, but I will check it out. Thanks also for the tips on UAE & Qatar. I haven't seen that many openings at schools in Qatar, but I will just check the colleges' websites and see what's there.

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 9:43 pm Post subject:

It would not occur to me to be offended that the OP had not checked back in.

BTW, I too had trouble with clicking the submit button and getting no reponse a few days ago.

Megone, as I said before,do be careful of the "rural" posts outside of Muscat. Single women tend to be especially unhappy when posted out in the sticks of Oman.

It appears that both HCT and Zayed University (both in UAE) are still hiring this late in the season. To me, these would be better choices for you. This is true especially if you happen to be on the younger side and single.