Job Discussion Forums

[txmsk]

Does anyone have any recent information on TATI Oman, the Modern Gulf Institute, or Hawthorne and their locations in Sur/Rustaq?

I've been offered 900OR by MGI, with single accommodation, flight, etc and it's located in Buraimi, and they also give 45 days paid vacation.

At Hawthorne, they are offering 1000, single accommodation, flight, teaching 18-20 hours per week, 60 days paid vacation.

TATI is offering 1000 plus 250 for accommodation, and 135 for 'other' expenses. I'm not sure where the college is located.

So... does anyone have any fresh information on these places? What are the pluses and minuses? Is the pay offered by these places good enough to live on? Will I be able to save a lot, and if so, how much?

Any information will be greatly appreciated.

[Pikgitina]

I'm not clued up on any of these positions. Rustaq is really out in the sticks. It's a great village to visit as it has one of Oman's most impressive forts surrounded by a date palm oasis. Living there would be very challenging unless one is extremely adept at killing time in the most creative of ways. Muscat is quite far (via Al Sawadi) especially because the Muscat-Sohar highway carries so much traffic. The surrounding villages of Nakhal (best Omani fort IMO) and Al-Hazm are pretty impressive as far as villages go, but very little goes on there. This is a wonderful part of the country for day trips, but living there would be tough!

Hopefully, someone else will come along with more info on TATI and Hawthorne.

MGI in Muscat has never really had a good rep on this board as far as I can remember. I assume that the uni/college in Buraimi is still quite new. This could = endless teething problems. Buraimi is a great location if you'd be into weekend trips to Dubai or Abu Dhabi as it's on the Oman-UAE border. (These two cities are closer to Buraimi than Muscat.)

From personal experience, I'd kinda recommend the MoM technical colleges in Salalah or Nizwa (even Ibra, although Ibra is pushing it a bit).

[Mojoski]

Sorry, can't tell you much because I'm in the same boat. The offers are typical (they don't vary much for the English Centers), and the money is more than enough to live.

I have heard from a friend who spends a lot of time in UAE that Al Ain is very nice, and Buraimi is right across the line from it.

I have only had contact with one of the three, and I'm waiting for word still. I'm currently waiting for word from another one as well, and I have one offer that is 850 + 250 + 75 + 25. (base, accomodation, travel, utilities) From what I've seen, the teaching hours and vacation hardly vary.

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

txmsk! It sounds like yer gettin' some decent offers there in Oman. Good luck!

NCTBA

[heavie]

I worked for Hawthorne for a while in Sur. It's a nothing village so if you can occupy your time you're sorted otherwise, you could be in a bit of bother. Also look at your contract, do you have overtime mentioned, I made that mistake and I had to cover classes for free. 20 hrs a week and then teachers get hammered and dont turn up for 3 days. Watch that one, and also Mr. $$$ who recruits you for the position is not a very helpful person. Another thing you see mentioned is travelling around to Muscat or Al Ain, this costs money and makes working in Oman pointless. What you save after travelling around does not make the year worth it, but you have to stay sane. As for MGI, I would avoid, its another agency and they are to be avoided and its also in a nothin village. Never heard of TATI, but good luck. My advice is head to Korea and stay out of ME unless you're pulling $4k a month, then it's worth it. Don't be a hero, this isn't Holywood and there's no beautiful Arab women to help you waste away those lonely nights. You will find a few accommodating ladies in Korea and some money and fun too.

[Seesee]

I may be too late with this but here is a little more of what has been said.

I too worked in Sur and would not recommend it. It is a small town with very little to offer and forces a person to drive the long road to Muscat on a regualar basis to retain their sanity (even with the new road, I wouldn't recommend it). I could say plenty about the college there too but don't want to get started and my information will be a little out of date.

Like Pikgitina says, Rustaq is very small with fewer expats than Sur I would imagine, so I would avoid it too.

I'm afraid I cannot comment on Buraimi other than it is close to Al Ain (hotels, shops...) and beyond. Have a look at the UAE Al Ain threads to get an idea of the border crossing situation.

I hadn't heard of TATI either but if the address on their website is correct, then the location in Medinat Qaboos, Muscat is good.

I understand the cost of accommodation etc. has increased over the last few years, so cannot comment on that.

[TheSilentKind]

If you're thinking of Sur, make sure you budget in the cost of a rental car. As the others said, it's a small town with little to do. With a car you'll be able to visit the wadis, enjoy the beach or escape to Muscat, which is only 1.5 hours away on the new road.

Also be aware of the reputation of the recruiter for the the college.

As for Al-Rustaq, I'd agree that it's also a very small town with even fewer expats than Sur.

Be careful with your contract over accommodation. It's much better to be provided it rather than having to stress yourself out trying to find something suitable within the budget and having to negotiate with the locals.

If you're an ESL teacher for the money, I'd also say go to Korea. If you are out to experience the world, then the offers in Oman are enough to live on, save a little and see a little part of this area.