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rigel
Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 308
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Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 12:00 pm Post subject: Two issues regarding programs that are 'expanding' |
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As many of you know, I've been in contact with a few universities in the KSA. I've turned down two, as the pay was too low, the contract was weighted too far in the employer's favor, or the hours sucked. One place that is still in contention, although it's on life support, is King Abdulaziz. Supposedly this place is hiring on a bunch of new teachers for this fall, something like 200. That's all fine and dandy, but where are these guys going to live? Are there enough (reasonable) apartments within walking distanceof KAU to go around? I wouldn't want to take this job if I must take a cab to and fro everyday. This brings me to the other problem--the split shift. If I'm working a split shift and leave at noon, how do I get back to my apartment? How do I return to the school to finish the day? How do I get back home after my day is done at 10 thirty at night? Cabs? KAU, you'd better be paying for all these fares if I have to live miles from campus.
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007

Joined: 30 Oct 2006 Posts: 2684 Location: UK/Veteran of the Magic Kingdom
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Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 12:34 pm Post subject: Re: Two issues regarding programs that are 'expanding' |
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rigel wrote: |
Supposedly this place is hiring on a bunch of new teachers for this fall, something like 200. That's all fine and dandy, but where are these guys going to live? |
Well, this is not an issue for the KAU! The Magic Kingdom used to host more than 3 milions people (mainly Hajjis) in one small city (Makkah) without any problem! So, by analogy, the hosting of 200 teachers for KAU is not a problem.
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Are there enough (reasonable) apartments within walking distanceof KAU to go around? I wouldn't want to take this job if I must take a cab to and fro everyday. This brings me to the other problem--the split shift. If I'm working a split shift and leave at noon, how do I get back to my apartment? How do I return to the school to finish the day? How do I get back home after my day is done at 10 thirty at night? Cabs? KAU, you'd better be paying for all these fares if I have to live miles from campus. |
Well, 3 options for you (by order of priority):
1. Apply for a Saudi driving license, and buy yourself a 2nd hand Toyota/Nissan car.
2. Make an arrangement with a taxi driver for the whole period of the academic year; and
3. Buy a bicycle (which I strongly do not recommend!). |
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Cleopatra

Joined: 28 Jun 2003 Posts: 3657 Location: Tuamago Archipelago
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Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 2:16 pm Post subject: |
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Cabs? KAU, you'd better be paying for all these fares if I have to live miles from campus. |
Most employers pay a 'transportation allowance' - usually between 500 and 1000SR a month. You are unlikely to receive additional money for transport over and above this, unless perhaps you are required to teach off campus.
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Supposedly this place is hiring on a bunch of new teachers for this fall, something like 200. That's all fine and dandy, but where are these guys going to live? |
King Saud University has a similarly huge and rapidly expanding programme in Riyadh. I've heard that single teachers are being required to share apartments, so this is something to bear in mind as a possibility with KAU. Make sure you ask about this at interview, and if it's a no-no for you, say so. |
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rigel
Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 308
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Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 6:56 am Post subject: |
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Cleopatra wrote: |
King Saud University has a similarly huge and rapidly expanding programme in Riyadh. I've heard that single teachers are being required to share apartments, so this is something to bear in mind as a possibility with KAU. Make sure you ask about this at interview, and if it's a no-no for you, say so. |
There's the dreaded 'r' word. This is yet something else to address in the contract. Paying 100-150 bucks a week on cabs ain't gonna cut it. I know the uni will cover half, if that. |
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Mr. Mead
Joined: 21 Apr 2009 Posts: 29 Location: West Midlands, UK
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rigel
Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 308
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Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 2:27 pm Post subject: |
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Do they highlight this, then, and make it seem as though you're getting something above and beyond in the contract? |
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eclectic
Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122
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Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 3:10 pm Post subject: |
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Rigel is asking some very pointed questions and he is getting some very good answers. I would like to thank Rigel for boiling it down to nitty gritty questions and also to thank the people who have answered well: 007, Cleopatra, Mr Mead, etc. Good job all around to all.
Now we're getting some good info: 500 SAR a month is only what, about 150 US dollars. Depending on the duration/distance of the 4-times-a-day taxi ride (assuming a split-shift scenario, where 2 departures and arrivals a day would be the case, thus 4 taxi rides), I would venture a guess based on my taxi experience---quite nauseatingly extensive, really---that one may easily spend $30 US dollars PER DAY on taxis.
There goes in one single week your 500 SAR transport stipend. |
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Cleopatra

Joined: 28 Jun 2003 Posts: 3657 Location: Tuamago Archipelago
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Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 3:17 pm Post subject: |
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There goes in one single week your 500 SAR transport stipend. |
KAU might respond by saying that male teachers have the option of getting their own cars, thus doing away with the need for taxis.
Besides, if the college is running regular split shifts, it's very likely that they would also supply free bus transport for employees to travel from college housing to the university and back again. If one chooses not to use the supplied transport and make one's own transport arrangements, KSA would not be obliged to pay for it.
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Do they highlight this, then, and make it seem as though you're getting something above and beyond in the contract? |
It's the norm for transport allowance to be calculated separately from the base salary. |
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eclectic
Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122
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Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 3:23 pm Post subject: |
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I hope Cleo is right. A bus would be a nice perk in this situation. A car, though? Who has $7,500 US buckaroos 2 b shelling out upon arrival? Not to mention vehicle registration, int'l drivers license, car insurance, license plates, oil, gas, and even steering fluid? |
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johnslat

Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 13859 Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 3:32 pm Post subject: |
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Dear eclectic,
True, but at least you don't have to buy brake fluid. Just make sure the horn works well.
Regards,
John |
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eclectic
Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122
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Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 3:35 pm Post subject: |
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John,
Good one! , and I was planning to use a live goose as a horn.
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johnslat

Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 13859 Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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Kipling

Joined: 13 Mar 2009 Posts: 371 Location: ...Ah Mrs K peel me a grape!!!....and have one yourself!!!!
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Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 5:12 pm Post subject: it's all in the game |
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Perhaps the Aflac insurance duck would be available |
Ducks/not/ feed. Task: Make a complete sentence, 2 points
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johnslat

Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 13859 Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 8:44 pm Post subject: |
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Dear Kipling,
Ducks that don't feed themselves soon die of starvation.
My points, please.
Regards,
John |
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Kipling

Joined: 13 Mar 2009 Posts: 371 Location: ...Ah Mrs K peel me a grape!!!....and have one yourself!!!!
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Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 11:31 pm Post subject: |
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They are in the post Mr J with an extra one .....for civility.
Sir  |
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