Job Discussion Forums

[Ernie Cuba]

I finish an English and Education degree next year and I will also have a teaching degree from the University of Amsterdam which gives me QTS in the UK. I also have an ICELT, a TEFL and about a 18 months experience teaching in China, Cambodia and Ethiopia which I guess looks a little patchy to employers.
I plan to do a Master's Degree in Eng. Lit. but need to get up about �4,000 to do so and I'd like to get it within 12 months. I also have a partner and a one-year-old child.
I've been thinking of the M.E. but my partner is blonde and quite attractive and I'm afraid she'll get the same hassle she got when we took a holiday to Egypt.
Where would be the best place to go to make this sort of cash and live a hassle-free life?
A friend of mine used to make $2,500 p.m. in Jakarta and this seems appealing. Does anyone have any ideas? Much appreciated.

[jdl]

If she can survive your colleagues she can survive the souq. try Oman..open, and 'live and let live' for the most part within acceptable social norms and sensitivity.

[santi84]

The hassle! Did you have your child with you on that trip? What was she wearing? I covered most of my body (no head covering) and received a lot less attention than other women I was with. I wasn't worth as many camels, apparently. Kidding. If she is dressed appropriately, wears a wedding ring, has the child with her, and avoids bazaars/tourist destinations, I don't think the hassle would be quite so bad. You said "partner" so I am assuming that you are not married - it might not be a bad idea for her to wear a ring anyways. Sorry, I don't know about countries outside Egypt but I assume the same strategies would work for other conservative countries.

[denise]

I'm a blonde in Oman, and I've had very few problems in Muscat. I make sure to bring a shawl or light blouse just to cover up in public, but in the touristy/expat-y areas near the beaches, it's becoming more and more common for western gals to walk around in tank tops, sun dresses, etc. I'm not sure that necessarily means that it's OK, though--we're still supposed to dress modestly. I have been hassled by groups of young boys in my neighborhood (further away from the expat scene and thus more "Omani") and in Nizwa, but it's more of a nuisance than a threat.

d

[Ernie Cuba]

Thanks for all the info.

No, we didn't have our child then and the calls she was getting started before eyeshot of a ring. She was modestly dressed, I think it may be the Pamela/Britney stereotype effect.

I've heard so many good things about Oman but could I save �4,000 in a year?

Thanks again.

[jdl]

4,000 GBP a year roughly 2,315.44 (today) Omani Rial?

Yearly average salary at minimum inclusive of housing and local travel allowances but exclusive of yearly air travel to home country should be 10,000 OMR a year or about 17,275 GBP (today).

Many save 66 to 75% of the salary. School fees for your child if s/he is school age must be considered as an expense. British schools are very popular. The cost of living comfortably locally, not daily at the expat/tourist 'watering hole ' is cheap.

[Ernie Cuba]