Job Discussion Forums

[tinamarym1027]

Hi everyone,

I'm an English teacher (BA + CELTA) currently living in Egypt and teaching at an international school here. My husband, a university civil engineering lecturer, may be receiving an offer from a university in Saudi. If he gets it, we'll most likely move there. It's kind of short notice to be able to find an opening in the same city (Buraydah--Qassim University)--we'll leave within a month if he gets the offer. I was wondering if I'd most likely be able to find employment either teaching middle/high school English or university after we move, or will I find myself at home twiddling my thumbs while kids are in school? Any thoughts, anyone?

[tinamarym1027]

I'm still waiting for any kind of helpful response to my post. I forgot to mention I'm American ("native speaker"), if that helps.

Maybe veiledsentiments or john_____ (sorry, forgot the rest of your name, but I remember the picture of Obama-man next to your name) if you have time, would you mind?

Thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to formulate a timely reply.

T

[johnslat]

Dear tinamarym1027,

If you get hired "in-country" (but that will depend entirely upon the need that any "international schools" have) this thread will tell you what you can expect:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?p=781431#781431

"Today, there are many public schools in Unaizah for all three educational levels (primary, intermediate, and secondary). There are also two private schools and one private international school."

"Education
The region is served by so many schools in every city and town, for all of the three educational levels (primary, intermediate, and secondary). There is almost every kind of school (public, private, Koranic, international) in most of the cities, with international and private schools being mainly concentrated in the cities of Buraydah, and Unaizah.
Although there are many colleges in most of the region's towns, there is the Qassim University, which is almost located between Buraydah and Unaizah at the heart of the region."



Forget the public schools although I suppose (but don't know for sure) that if you're Muslim, you might have a chance.

You might also be able to find students to tutor though that will require time and making the right "connections." If you do tutor, harsh though it may seem, ALWAYS get your fee "up front." Students tend to miss sessions, lose interest, and just plain disappear.

Hupe this helps some.
Regards,
John Slattery (aka johnslat)

P.S. Cleopatra and/or Mia Xanthi, both ladies now residing in the Kingdom, would likely be your best sources (I'm neither a lady nor am I currently residing there.)

[Mia Xanthi]

I would say that your chances of finding a job are very good. However, you must remember that if you are hired in Kingdom as a local hire, you will receive a MUCH lower salary and no benefits. It is best to be hired from outside and come in on a separate iqama.

[veiledsentiments]

I will leave this one to the Saudi experts... (which is why I didn't respond before... I really wasn't ignoring you tina...)

VS

[tinamarym1027]

Johnslat, thanks for your tips on private lessons...similar here in Egypt. I'll definitely check out the link you posted.

Mia Xanthi, I'm currently getting $1500 (8300le)/month. By "MUCH lower" if hired in country, do you think I could manage same/less/more?

I really have about 2 weeks to decide whether to go or not.


Thanks,
Tina

P.S. vieledsentiments, didn't know you weren't a Saudi expert. I've enjoyed reading your posts here--always thoughtful and informative. Thanks for responding anyway.

[scot47]

If you are hired locally you run the risk of being

1. ILLEGAL

and

2 UNDERPAID

[tinamarym1027]

Another thing I wanted to ask about concerns general living conditions in Saudi/Qassim in particular if anyone knows the area.

I'm currently living in Port Said, Egypt--nice smaller city, good for shopping, not as stuffy as Cairo, but no decent places to take the kids outside to play--parks with broken swings, slides broken/missing from their ladders--no malls (to go for the AC in the hot summer)...garbage everywhere.

Are things better in Saudi? I don't think we'd be living in an expat community (my husband is Egyptian). It would really help me in making a decision if going there would mean my kids would have a better quality of life (and therefore make my life easier).

Thanks,
Tina

[scot47]

Certainly in Dammam or Jeddah you would have access to this sort of thing. In Qassim I am not sure.