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Bayan Gardens School in Al Khobar
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TouchDownTexas



Joined: 29 Nov 2008
Posts: 5
Location: Texas
PostPosted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 5:07 am    Post subject: Bayan Gardens School in Al Khobar Reply with quote
Does anyone have info on this school? I may be offered a job there next year and would like to have some input from some of you internationally savvy experts!

Thanks!!
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trapezius



Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 1670
Location: Land of Culture of Death & Destruction
PostPosted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 7:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I would say to avoid any Saudi private school. You DO NOT want to deal with rich Saudi students.

Apply to these schools:

http://www.isgdh.org/
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missieUAE



Joined: 15 Feb 2009
Posts: 23
PostPosted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 1:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I was offered a job there once as well. I didn't take it, obviously, but has anyone worked there? It sounded interesting but as it turned out I was not in a position to move abroad at the time.
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scot47



Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
PostPosted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 11:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Don't do it. Avoid these places at all costs. I mean ANY private school in KSA. Private universities are not much better. See other posts on places like PMU, Dar Al Uloom etc

Get a decent employer like one of the State Universities or a military contract.
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Never Ceased To Be Amazed



Joined: 22 Oct 2004
Posts: 3500
Location: Shhh...don't talk to me...I'm playin' dead...
PostPosted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 4:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Follow the advice on this board...especially the one offered by trapezius!

Been 'dere done 'dat...the scars are still there every time I pick at the scab!

NCTBA
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scot47



Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
PostPosted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 4:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Think seriously about not coming at all. A contract in KSA is not something to be taken on lightly. KSA is a life-changing experience. The changes are not always for the better.
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missieUAE



Joined: 15 Feb 2009
Posts: 23
PostPosted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 8:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Yeah, I never seriously considered it (it was probably about 2 years ago that I had that offer from Bayan Gardens). As a single woman I don't think I'd be comfortable with so many restrictions.

Out of curiosity, what is it about Saudi private schools in particular, would you say, that makes them such a bad idea?
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trapezius



Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 1670
Location: Land of Culture of Death & Destruction
PostPosted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 9:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
scot47 wrote:
I mean ANY private school in KSA.


I wouldn't say that. Here is what I can tell you:

Saudi private schools: Good only if you are either a masochist, or were in the army before, in terms of both management, and students.

Arab- and Asian-managed private schools: These are mostly managed by Lebanese, Egyptians, Pakistanis, or Indians (they use either American, or British curriculum). Almost all are to be avoided, but they aren't half as bad as the Saudi ones, both in terms of management and students. But still, don't do it. And the pay is *beep*.

Western-managed private schools: With the exception of a couple of them (which are known to be run by draconian angry/aggressive white men), these are great. The pay is great, the facilities and grounds are great, management is fair and friendly, and there is decent to great discipline. Pay can be as high SR. 20,000/month, but usually ranges from SR. 12,000 to SR. 16,000, along with very nice furnished usually on-site accomodation, tickets, medical, etc.

Not only do I have personal experience with all 3 types, but I also know many many teachers from many schools of all types, and I always hear the same horror stories from the first 2 types.
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missieUAE



Joined: 15 Feb 2009
Posts: 23
PostPosted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 10:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
All right....but could you elaborate on what makes those schools suitable only for masochists? I'm genuinely curious here...what in particular makes them so awful? I mean, are we talking "the students are disrespectful," or "torture chambers in every administrator's office," or.....?
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veiledsentiments



Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
PostPosted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 2:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
The students are spoiled rotten at home... and run the school. It is the perfect example of the inmates runni