Job Discussion Forums

freesoul · Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 1:25 pm Post subject: UoS Community college

Hi all,

I was offered a job at UoS C C in Khor Fakkan, I hope you have some time to answer some of my questions.

I have MA, CELTA and a couple of years of experience.

I was offered about 14. 500 Dirham plus the usual benefits. Is that a reasonable pay in the UAE and in Khor Fakkan?

I have a family coming over with me, so do the uni provide adequate accommodation for family-status teachers? If yes, how is it like?

How about the town? Is it a nice place to live and settle in when it comes to living expenses, entertainment or service facilities?

Most importantly, how's it like to be teaching in that college? admin? teachers?

Any additional comment is highly appreciated for a likely new comer to UAE?

Best,

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

Many teachers have hit the road for the summer and are not online. There has been much discussion of these community colleges this past year and there have been some problems. I assume that you have done a search so that you can read about these issues?

Do you have school age children? Have you confirmed if there there are schools for them there? It is not a big place. Entertainment probably consists of a hotel or two and beach/camping type activities.

The salary looks about right for your credentials. Hopefully someone will pass through with more answers for you.

VS

Afra · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Posts: 389

Don't know what U of S Community College is but the salary seems about right.
Khor Fakkan is very quiet, part of Sharjah emirate so dry. I don't think there are any international schools. Fujairah would be the closest for education but HCT people who start in Fujairah invariably move to Dubai once their children are school age - but this may be different now. This is something you must check because although the roads are much better than before, a daily trip to school outside the immediate area is not viable.
There are a couple of hotels which offer beach, sailing, diving activities but not much else. You can get into the mountains easily to camp in the winter. Might be a good place to save!

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

Sharjah is "dry" except for the Wanderers in Sharjah proper. Khor Fakkan is close enough to the Fujairah Hilton that a taxi ride is not prohibitive (anything over 0.0% blood alcohol anywhere in the GCC is illegal - you will be arrested, jailed and usually deported if anything above that), Khor Fakkan does not have anything above a 3* hotel if that, again, close enough to Fujairah to not make too much difference. No international schools, only 1 decent one in Fujairah to about grade 9 but useless above that. Entertainment??? What's that???!!! LOL - there isn't even an English language cinema in Fujairah.

Quiet, yes. Nice beaches, yes. If you can't make your own fun, don't come.

freesoul · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 8:29 am Post subject:

Thanks Helenl, Afra and VS for your comments.
I still need to make sure how's my accommodation in Khor Fakan like? Another concern is that will they give me housing allowance or provide me with accommodation? Is the furniture allowance deducted from the teachers' monthly salary?
Hope one of UoS sees this and respond!!

Thanks
F

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

Normally in the UAE, the furniture allowance is yours... sort of. If you complete the usual 3 year contract, you don't pay anything back. If you leave early, you pay back a pro-rated amount.

If there some reason why you can't get this information from HR? Your most likely source for a person with the correct answer is UoS itself. Will they not answer an email? Could you call them?

VS

freesoul · Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 6:13 am Post subject:

VS,
I will definitely ask an HR there, but as you probably know there are always two faces to the story. I am just preparing myself for them. Smile

jwesl · Joined: 27 Apr 2009 Posts: 5

Hello freesoul

I'm going to be just down the road from you if you want to get in touch via pm - I don't have enough posts to use the system yet.

Good luck with all your preparations. I'm asking a lot of the same questions as you right now.

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

is this AUS or University of Sharjah - they're two VERY different animals. That said, both have a decent reputation on delivering what they promise. Ask their HR dept about housing, in Sharjah proper, it is on campus, decent housing - so whatever they say about housing in Khor Fakkan is bound to be reasonable and depended on.

freesoul · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 10:46 am Post subject:

anaxiforminges · Joined: 15 Apr 2009 Posts: 136 Location: UAE

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

But Anaxi... AUS housing does have pictures on their website. Another person who was accepted was even given the option of X or Y? They have three styles of housing depending on your marital status and level. It has both interior and exterior shots, so there should only be a slight variation in furnture, but floor plans are standardized. Not to mention that they are all nice.

VS

anaxiforminges · Joined: 15 Apr 2009 Posts: 136 Location: UAE

freesoul · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 5:01 pm Post subject:

vs,

I tried to locate the link showing pics of UoS houses, but I was not lucky. Could you plz post the link here?

Thanks

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

AUS = American University in Shajah

UoS = University of Sharjah

I was referring to AUS and not UoS. I don't know anything about UoS housing. Sorry if I confused you...

VS

(anaxi... I was sure that I had seen indoor shots, but it may be just my memory because I have been in some of the houses and flats)