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buildbyflying

Because the post was at the end of a meandering thread on AYU I thought I'd repost it here. Note: this pertains to the fellowship between SIT and INTERLINK and not AYU in general, which can be a decent place.

However, a warning goes out to future SIT fellows. Be aware of the following conditions:
1. The fellowship is really just a loan. In fact, INTERLINK saved money by paying for your schooling. Your contract is set at 28k USD for the first year and they pay 7k of your 15k per year tuition. 28+7=35k, about 5 grand less than their advertised starting salary. the second year you do get a significant raise 36k, but this likely is still much less than a second year teachers salary.
2. Piss off anyone along the way and you can't just up and leave your job. Quitting or getting fired will result in your failing your IYTP, which is necessary for graduation. The IYTP can be redone, but all costs come out of pocket at around 5-10k and you must wait an additional year.
3. AYU loses teachers almost as quickly as they hire new teachers. Ask anyone reasonable that teaches there. Of course, leaving one uni in riyadh for another is not all that unusual (which of course is impossible under the fellowship.)
4. Ahad Shahbaz will likely try to sell you on the MAT even if you already possess a PhD. Don't fall for it unless you don't mind 28k when you should be getting 50K.

Do I have a bias? Sure. But I'm just telling it like it is. To all who continue with the SIT INTERLINK fellowship -- good luck and whatever you do, don't complain.

freesoul · Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 12:29 pm Post subject:

buildbyflying,

Could you plz list some real reasons for firing teachers at YU? I do appreciate it if you could support your list with some stories. Keep names anonymous, though.

Thanks,
F

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

I've heard a number of stories from teachers there, but wouldn't post many of the details here.

Generally speaking, I would just say that most of the female teachers were "let go" for generally proper reasons. Al-Y has a tendency to hire a certain type from overseas - often new to the Middle East - often converts - often ex-Peace corp ex-hippie types (something SIT has been famous for over the years Laughing

). They put people in management who have never managed, no less managed in the Middle East.

There is a great retirement novel in the the women's side of the college. One favorite little tidbit was the ex-military American female hired who was rabidly pro-US-middle east policy... and her favored punishment for girls who misbehaved in class was to make them drop and do push-ups. Rolling Eyes

VS

Sheikh N Bake · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1307 Location: Dis ting of ours

I was in the Navy...but during the early 1970s. Nobody gave a damn about military bs in those days.

Nevertheless, VS, GET DOWN ON THE DECK AND GIVE ME 20!!

D'arrggghhh!

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

OHMIGAWD... someone stole my deck...

sorry... guess I can't oblige... Cool

VS

Amenti

quote="buildbyflying "The fellowship is really just a loan. In fact, INTERLINK saved money by paying for your schooling. Your contract is set at 28k USD for the first year and they pay 7k of your 15k per year tuition. 28+7=35k, about 5 grand less than their advertised starting salary. the second year you do get a significant raise 36k, but this likely is still much less than a second year teachers salary.]

Interesting, but what you are saying doesn't make sense. If it is a loan that means you have to pay it back. But you are already receiving a reduced salary to off set the tuition, that isn't a loan.

[quote3. AYU loses teachers almost as quickly as they hire new teachers. Ask anyone reasonable that teaches there. Of course, leaving one uni in Riyadh for another is not all that unusual...]

Not true. I personally know many teachers that have been at YU from the day that they opened. Most of the teacher, only a hand full over the last 5 years, have been dismissed for legitimate reasons such as slagging off their colleagues and cursing Mr. Shabaz. Then there are those who are dismissed because the police have asked the college to get rid of them.

[quote 4. Ahad Shahbaz will likely try to sell you on the MAT even if you already possess a PhD. Don't fall for it unless you don't mind 28k when you should be getting 50K.]

Also not true. Most teachers at YU have appropriate degrees that make them qualified to teach TESL. If not they are encouraged to get an applicable degree. Plus, should someone with a PhD in Pottery Design receive the same salary as someone with a MA in applied Linguistics? Who is more qualified to teach TESL?

freesoul · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 8:14 am Post subject:

Amenti,

"the police have asked the college to get rid of them." Now that's a first!!

buildbyflying · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 11:02 am Post subject:

@freesoul: I don't really want to get into the details of other people's experiences as they're not mine. If you're interested in second hand info we can discuss it privately.

@amenti: Sounds like I probably know you. If you work at AYU you should say so.
Let me try to clarify my points:

johnslat · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 2:07 pm Post subject:

Dear Amenti,

"Then there are those who are dismissed because the police have asked the college to get rid of them."

Just curious - would that be the religious police or the regular police?

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

I believe some of those were a part of the hard-drinking, hard-partying crowd... and one of the "party" crowd who started a small business out of her flat. Cool

I suspect the two police forces may have had a unified opinion on this.

VS

johnslat · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 2:45 pm Post subject:

Dear veiledsentiments,
A "small business" you say. Intriguing. One wonders what she was selling.
Regards,
John

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

It wasn't bathtub gin...

In cases like this, one's first guess is usually the correct one... Laughing

VS

Amenti · Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 7:53 am Post subject:

Sorry been off for a while.

About people being dismissed for legitimate reasons involving the police we are talking about the real police not the Islamic police. For example: being drunk in public (DQ), women being caught in the car of Saudi men (DQ check point), and alcohol in the car (DQ check point). Flipping off the director and threating the son of a diplomat! And on and on. Twisted Evil

[quote buildbyflying]By not paying fellows the going wage for the same job, the fellows start well below the going wage.

Since when do Fellows ever get the going wage? If you take a look at the job postings on this website you will notice that there are many Fellowships being offered all over the US, but you will also find out that those Fellowships pay considerable less and have no benefits! Why should Interlink be any different? Plus if a teacher stays with Interlink (i.e. senority / experience) long enough eventually everyone reaches the maximum salary avaliable.

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

Ah the joys of living on the Fellowship salary... many many years ago when I got mine in Cairo, the stipend was equivalent to US$310 a month and that was the total benefit (other than a ticket back to the US when I finished the program - I had to get to Egypt on my own) and my rent was $290. And when it was completed, I stayed on for one year in the adult ed department to have something to put on the CV... local hire (no benefits other than salary) and the joy of starting at the absolute bottom of the salary scale for an MA+0. The first year I had to bring money over from the US in order to do frivolous things like eat. By the second year I paid my expenses with private lessons - on top of my studies and required teaching.

So it looks you are part of the grand tradition in academia of taking advantage of Fellows. But still... if you arrive at the end of a couple years with your MA and no student debt, you're ahead and can move on to another employer in the Gulf. You will also have received some invaluable experience in the ways of the world... and that there are no free rides.

VS

12 Monkeys · Joined: 06 Apr 2009 Posts: 82 Location: paradise lost

Hello Amenti,

I recently had the package of readings sent to me from YU and thought it was really cumbersome to have to complete everything that they required. I mean I felt like I was being tested for something that really is not significant in our business of facilitating the acquisition of a language. It was stuff I studied when I was completing my TESL certificate courses. Yes I understand that a Ph.D is valued here in Saudi but it is a bit overkill for these students. I have a BA in English Lit. and two certificates and landed a job in Saudi for $3500 US a month plus perks. I'm thinking of getting an MA in Ed. on-line in the near future.

My question to you is would I have a good offer at YU after two years experience here in Saudi teaching in a prepratory year program in a university (undisclosed) and having completed my MA in Ed. by then?

Thanks

Cornelius