Job Discussion Forums

WellRoundedSquare · Joined: 07 Aug 2009 Posts: 28 Location: New York

Hey All,

CECN - the much bemoaned recruiters have just come back to me with an offer to teach in Shinas at the college of technology starting in like 11 days.

They are pretty much the only people who have bitten, and I'm gonna take the job. Everyone on this board has been extremely helpful so far, and I'm accutely aware of the potential hornet's nest I'm jumping into.

That salary translates to around 28,000 USD $ a year, which doesn't seem too bad at all - I've only got three year's experience. Now of course whether I get all that money is another story.

They also offered me about 650 USD a month for housing. I mean the town has 43,000 people how expensive can an apartment be?

But any advice that can be spread around about this area or school would be wonderfully appreciated.

Again my ignorance shines through here, but I haven't heard any "tax-free" clauses throne around, are the Colloeges of Technology tax free?

Thanks in advance.

ETG · Joined: 28 Apr 2005 Posts: 67

it'll be fine. they have been the best recruiter in the past, there are new people in the Oman office these days but it should be OK and they always pay on time. No taxes are deducted from your salary in Oman.
Just out of curiosity...didn't they offer an apt? that's a change from the past.

good luck!

E.

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

Bahwan and now CECN seem to be switching to housing allowances rather than furnished flats.

Wellrounded... all income in the Gulf countries is tax-free there, but of course, you have to comply with the tax laws of your own country.

Two things you need to confirm with them might be... will 250 OR get you a furnished flat? Are they easily available? If not, you will have a bit of upfront aggravation and quite a bit of upfront expense to set up the flat. Rental flats often come with only plumbing fixtures and kitchen cabinets. It may take a few thousand $'s to get ACs and appliances and basic furniture.

Shinas is the back of beyond with not a lot to do. Thus you will need a car to get to the bright lights of... Sohar... which has a bit more to offer. You are also not far from Dubai. If you lease/rent, you need to make sure that you can go over the border. A car will also give you the freedom to explore this fascinating country. People into camping get a 4WD.

VS

WellRoundedSquare · Joined: 07 Aug 2009 Posts: 28 Location: New York

VS - There is actually housing provided - or the stipend. So that I suppose hasn't changed.

To be honest learning Arabic is a pretty high priority, and I'd love to do as much outdoor type of activity as I could. After two years in Shanghai, the bright lights are something I'd like to avoid.

That being said though, I'm sure there are things I'll need or want that they won't have in such a small city. In the absence of a car in the tiny, out of the way city, are there sufficient buses or trains to Dubai or Sohar from there?

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

No brainer... take a provided furnished flat... don't take an allowance.

Not sure if Arabic lessons will be all that easy to find in a town this size with a rather limited expat population.

There are no trains in the Gulf to speak of... none in Oman or the UAE (Dubai is putting in a subway I hear), but there are probably buses, though not perhaps as many or at the times when you need them. Living in the Gulf is like living in a US suburb. IMHO... a car is not a luxury, it is a necessity.

VS