Job Discussion Forums

[cary.s.martin]

Hello!

My husband and I are currently teaching in China and planning on staying one more year but then we were thinking of moving the Middle East (specifically Saudi Arabia) and I was wondering what it is like for a woman to teach of there.

I have heard mixed reactions and I was wondering what the best way to go about finding a good job for both my husband and myself. We will have two years experience and also our TEFL.

I was also curious about being a woman and over there. Some people are saying that I should steer clear but I would just like some ideas of teachers who are there and their experiences.

Any feedback would be amazing!

Thanks!

Cary

[Mia Xanthi]

I am a woman, and I've been over here for quite some time. It is not a particularly difficult place for a woman to live. The two biggest difficulties are easy to overcome. One is wearing the abaya, which actually most people find eventually to be less of a problem than a convenience. The other is the fact that you cannot drive...but your husband can drive you or you can take a taxi. You will only be allowed to teach women, and they are usually pleasant and fun to be around. If you behave modestly and do not call attention to yourself, you will probably have no more problems here than you would any other place.

If you have a husband to run interference for you, you're way ahead of the game here. However, you should only consider coming if you both have jobs. The biggest problem that married stay-at-home wives face is boredom...and that can be a killer in the Kingdom. There is nothing to do here but work, so make sure you have work.

[veiledsentiments]

Since it sounds from your post as if you know little about living or working in the Gulf, the first question that I would ask myself is "why Saudi?" Why not Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, or Oman? Saudi Arabia is the only country that makes women comply with local dress codes and restrictions. In all the other Gulf countries, it is more relaxed and you can within common sense wear your usual clothing and drive a car.

The next question is whether with your qualifications and experience if you really want to come to the Gulf. Are you only going for a perceived high salary or are you interested in experiencing "the culture?" In the Gulf, the high paying jobs with good benefits and working conditions normally require an MA and experience. There are a few employers who will hire with a BA +CELTA, but they also normally like to see more years of experience. Also, experience in Asia tends to be more focused on conversation classes. In the Gulf, the students will talk to excess and the majority of the teaching is focused on Academic reading and writing.

Most people who tell you to steer clear of the Middle East are those that know little or nothing about it and have never been there. Outside of Saudi Arabia, there are many single female teachers who teach there for years as I did and enjoyed it (and there are a few in Saudi). There are also many teaching couples.

I would spend some teach using the search on the different branches and reading around.

VS

[Cleopatra]

[Sheikh N Bake]

[cary.s.martin]

Thank you for all the advice! My husband and I are looking to make some money over there and then hopefully save up enough to go back to the states and get our Masters. I will for sure research around the area.

How are the students over there? I have heard that they can be difficult, is that true?

[Sheikh N Bake]

You can make the same money in the UAE and be free to dress as you like, drink, dance, drive and work. My wife and I simply avoided blowing our money on amusements and new SUVs like the other knuckleheads there. But we still went out and had a good time, lived a normal life, and saved as much as anyone could in Saudi.

[Mia Xanthi]

[scot47]

KSA is okay. I have grown rather attached to the place over the years. As for Dubai and the UAE - wor