Job Discussion Forums

[Dalgi]

Hi there,
I much enjoy reading the threads on this board - very informative! I've been trying to do some research about moving to the UAE and what live is like over there.
I'll give you some background before I start the questions...
My husband and I have taught in Korea for 7 years and we've been fairly happy with our situation there - first 4 years at a private institute and the last three at a university. We're at home in SA now, but my husband is applying for jobs in the UAE and Oman, although I think we'd prefer the UAE. I'm curious about what life is like and maybe how it compares to Korea. From what I've read the problems with management are quite similar to those experienced in Korea...feel free to correct me if I'm wrong!
I would really like to speak to someone who is in the UAE with their family. We have a 2 year old and another on the way, so my questions are mainly about what it's like to raise your young kids over there. I've read that the health facilities are good, so I'm not worried about delivering in the UAE as I delivered our first in Korea and after all the initial problems were sorted out, it really was a wonderful experience. Hopefully it's not a problem to get into the country if you're already pregnant...I haven't checked that out.
Are there daycare places where our daughter can socialise with peers? Or are there many westerners around with kids so we can get together with them? You know...I don't want to isolate my child.

The other questions are about finance: would a family be able to survive on one income only and still have some left to send home? It seems accommodation is the biggest expense, so if that's covered in the contract it should be alright, right?

My husband has applied at HCT and SABIS. But I see HCT has placed 2 more ads since he's applied...so that's not a good sign! Could you recommend any other places where he could apply? Recruiters, maybe.

This is getting longer than I expected...and it might even be a bit premature, but I like to do my research.

TIA, Dalgi

[veiledsentiments]

I will hit on just a couple points. First, there was just a thread on having a baby in the UAE, so you might try a search. As a single person, I don't know much about kids except that most teachers had some. It might be better for you two to think in terms of next August after the baby is born. I'm not sure about the insurance coverage for an existing pregnancy, nor the costs at the hospitals if you have to pay. Perhaps someone else will have encountered that situation.

My second point is to wonder what your husbands credentials are... because Sabis and HCT is rather an odd combination to apply to. Sabis is a chain of international schools that is pretty much the place for the desperate for any job - having few credentials or no experience - kind of place. I only recommend it at all for those who are trying to get their first job ever. If you do a search, you will find rather an excess of... negativity.

As to surviving on one pay with 4 of you... I'd say that he should have an MA to get to a decent level on the pay scale - unless you plan to live pretty frugally while you stay home with the kids. HCT has a regular ad that runs once a month. They are a large system so they hire many teachers, but the vast majority have an MA even though there ad doesn't state it. The Ramadhan/Eid holidays have just finished and the new semester is off the ground, so this isn't a peak hiring time and they hire the least for the 2nd semester.

VS

[Dalgi]

Yeah, we're pretty desperate to leave the country. So, we're willing to rough it (jobwise) for a year or so till we can find greener pastures.
Thanks for your reply, I'll see if I can find that baby thread.

My husband has a BA and a TEFL certificate plus 7 years experience, the last 3 at a uni. He's enrolling for his MA but will only start next year.

If all else fails, we'll probably go back to Korea for a year and then maybe try the UAE again. It's a good time now to apply for uni jobs in Korea. At this stage we'll take what we can get ASAP and then make changes after the first contract year.

Thanks again, as I said, my asking so many questions might have been a bit premature, but it gives one some perspective.

[ardiles81]

Sabis! Don't

http://choueifati.blogspot.com/2008/03/choueifatis-anonymous.html

[redcliff]

if you are working for hct your accomodation is covered so that is not a worry. I wouldn't come here if my accomodation wasn't covered.

HCT's health plan now covers deliveries, and I'm pretty sure for those already with child.

You should be able to save/send money home if you work for hct and have 2 children. I do it and I have 3.

Day care availability may be better explored once you know what part of the uae you want to visit.

And from what I have heard HCT has the desire to hire a fair number of teachers for the upcoming year, though that Masters issue could be tricky. Your husband should go out of his way to emphasize he has a master's underway.

[veiledsentiments]

[Dalgi]

Thanks everybody! I think we'll steer clear of SABIS then. And no, actually I don't think he mentioned that he's starting his MA, I'll see about that and following up, too. Good advice!
It seems there are a lot more expat families in the middle east than in Korea, so I feel better about the isolation thing as well.
It seems a long shot that we'll get there soon...but we'll be trying anyhow and see what the universe throws our way.
I might PM you in while, Red, with questions about raising kids over there, if you don't mind.
I feel SOOOO much better already. Thanks again, guys. Like I said, great board this!
Cheers, D

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

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