Job Discussion Forums

[potofgold]

I've been applying for ESL jobs in KSA for a few months as I think it's time to move on.
I've been working as an ESL teacher in an interesting and challenging Asian country that has begun to wear thin. As we all know, after the initial fascination wears off our patience wears thin with quaint local ways and then we know it's time to move on...When you start loathing...
Hence KSA.
I've been amused and appalled by the comments on this forum as they have been to the point. Many of them have given me pause to reconsider my objectives and maybe now, I'm on the verge of doing just that.
I am also likely to reconsider my consideration.
I have been offered several jobs in KSA. I have refused one from a recriuiting company on the basis of what has been described here about it, am in a quandary over another position due to descriptions of the university, the housing compounds and the conditions of work and the other so far, seems benign - but time will tell.
I am amazed that we are expected to jump through hoops to get to the KSA; I am astonished that so little consideration is given for individual circumstances and worse still, I am terrified that I may well be another dumb blond who is played for an idiot by the ruthless male power elite.
I have spent several years working with the government elite of an Asian country that has given every country that has ever tried to invade it - a hiding. The people are - quite frankly - fascinating, smart, feisty, generous, adorable - and - treacherous, avaricious, arrogant and totally self-serving. It is the land of 'false smiles'.
I have lived through periods of great highs and woeful lows; sometimes I have wanted to drown myself in the lake or just simply - die. The lack of consideration combined with their inherent relentlessness makes living here - eventually - a chore.
Hence, for me it's time to move on.
However, charm speaks volumes here and I'm wondering if the KSA citizens respond to it.
Through necessity and desire, I have learnt how to negotiate and communicate with powerful people - and difficult people.
However, nothing remains constant or stable for long - or should I say - things remain so for as long as they so do.
here, being flexible ( another way of saying uncaring) is the only way to survive, maintain self respect and keep some sort of advantage. We Westerners aren't skilled at this.
I have learnt not to care and not to take responsibilty. Privately, I am frequently appalled and vent with other expat colleagues.
All the aspects of working in KSA apply here except here, one is deluded into thinking that one's opinions matter. After a short time, one realises that such isn't the case and plays the same game.
I take my role as an educator seriously but will not exert myself if I am convinced that there is no point.
I believe I am merely a cog in the wheel and am able to remove myself; becoming an observer rather than a participant.
However, my fear is that KSA has other ways of breaking one's spirit. Here, if 'you pay mun-ey you nice life'. I am talking about the provision of the simple things in life: accommodation, cleaning, TV, Internet, food, tailors, massage, facials, etc - not extraordinary privileges - although they are forthcoming with consideration, so I believe.
Here, people keep their word if they are being compensated; it's a society based on transactions; this makes living here simple.
KSA? It seems like a minefield of potential disappointment.
Do compounds provide both a retreat and a respite from the realities of being an unwelcome foreigner in a closed society?
Is there a collegiate atmosphere in compounds? Do compound dwellers look after each other? Can one expect to be welcomed? Is a compound a place of respite from the horrors that seem to bedevil you all at every nanosecond of the day?
Here we are alone; there aren't any compounds and that is encouraged by the powers that be. We are easier to monitor as isolated units. We have enormous freedom here - until we don't - but changes to our status occur gradually; almost seamlessly.
We are sneeringly mocked and ridiculed but most younger teachers don't pick up on that fact until they are forced to by overstepping that which is tolerable.
I'd appreciate some comments as I will probably/ maybe not join you sooner or later.

[helenl]

I have learnt not to care and not to take responsibilty. Privately, I am frequently appalled and vent with other expat colleagues.
All the aspects of working in KSA apply here except here, one is deluded into thinking that one's opinions matter. After a short time, one realises that such isn't the case and plays the same game.
I take my role as an educator seriously but will not exert myself if I am convinced that there is no point.
I believe I am merely a cog in the wheel and am able to remove myself; becoming an observer rather than a participant.


You'll do great in the GCC - especially the 3rd paragraph.

Unless and until there is accountabilty and responsibilty taken at (the very least) student and their faculty/management level - it will not change.

On the bright side. You will find the odd (and I do mean "odd") student who sincerely wants to improve their countyr/system and their (in my experience) female "lot" in life.

[veiledsentiments]

I have had a difficult time getting this to post, but I'm curious... why is this post about KSA on the General Middle East section? And why is the poster hitting 'enter' at the end of every sentence? I'm not sure how helen decided what was paragraph 3 since I can't find any paragraphs. I find it very difficult to read.

But my comment/question would really be why KSA? If I was looking for money, I would choose the UAE. If I was looking for a more interesting and pleasant country, I would choose Oman. If wanted to live within the culture, I would choose Egypt. If I wanted to learn the language, I would choose Syria.

I really can't see any reason to inflict the restrictions of living in or the aggravations of applying to KSA on any woman who had any other options.

VS

[potofgold]

Apologies VS for my lack of 'posting' skills. I am new to this. You ask why KSA? Are you saying that only those without options end up in KSA?

[johnslat]

Dear potogold,
I think that what they are implying is that working conditions, salary, and life in general tend to be more "attractive" in the UAE than they are in Saudi (except Oman, which has perhaps the most congenial environment in many respects, but has lower salaries.)
This is especially the case when it comes to women teachers.
Regards,
John

[veiledsentiments]

[lrnoue]

Beautifully written post.

That said, you really need to be pretty thick-skinned to make it in Saudi.

Chuck the KSA and, if you have a BEd or MA (MEd), check out the UAE.

[potofgold]

Thank you for your statements about my writing skills. I will try not to hit the return key; although it goes against the grain. I decided to become an ESL teacher after a career in media; a career that was demanding and provided me with many insights into the human condition. My area of expertise was politics (and later, travel) and through both, I witnessed many events and met many people. I am not a good student although I do have a PhD (Philosophy) (Oxford) that I have never used as it means nothing to me. It was something I did because it was there to do. My desire is to be accepted for who I am; not for that which I could represent. Hence, I set out a few years ago to work as an ESL teacher. As I did not and do not aspire to a management position, I used and continue to use my basic qualifications (B.A., Cert 1V Trainer and Trinity TESOL). I do however, use most of my working experiences (CV) to establish my credibility as a competent person. So far, this has stood me in good stead. I have had some of the best ESL work 'in the world' and consider I have been a successful teacher. My teaching style is perhaps somewhat unorthodox and due to the positive reviews I've received from my students, I conclude that it has been effective, albeit feral. I've taught 'tough nuts' who responded positively to a single, fading beauty who to them had/has an incomprehensible life story.
I suspect similar of most of the posters on this forum.
I will continue my search for a ME job that I believe will suit me and for which I likewise will suit. I like Sticky Date's descriptions of her life in Nizwa.

[15yearsinQ8]

hhhmmmm
the dissenting vote is that your writing resembles psycho-babble and your teaching style may be too 'touchy feelly' for the ME
incomprehensible life story, yup, also as with me
a slight word of advice, give your students something - anything - familiar in their realm to relate to (if you're not a mother is the biggest and most obvious but a similiar hobby or experience.... and if you're wandering the globe as a single or divorced lady forget them ever know just how you can do that) then they're more apt to acept you. baring similiarities, humor and your understanding of the human condition as you put it helps as well
you're generalizing quite a bit about ME and Saudi people, you DO know that don't you? although i haven't taught i the ksa, i lived there for a year

[veiledsentiments]

potofgold

Are you any relation to Lucreziaborgia? You have the same striking eccentric typing and prose style... both female and applying for jobs in Saudi and the same educational background.

Any particular reason for using two screen names to ask the same questions?

VS
(PS... drop an application to University of Nizwa... they don't require a related MA... don't use recruiters... and seem to prefer mature female teachers)

[potofgold]

To 15yearsinQ8 and Veiledsentiments.
Thanks for the comments and advice. I shudder in continuing attacks of ennui as a result of being accused of indulging in psycho-babble. As well, to add further to my pique, I have been accused of a 'touchy feely' approach to instruction! Omigod! Anything but that! I am a fairly hard boiled femme who occasionally enjoys attempts at authenticity as it provides a temporary diversion from staring into the abyss.
Whoever I might be - as whoever you both may well be - shall remain a mystery. I think this forum provides a delightful and fantasitical opportunity for estranged souls to indulge themselves with impunity. We could all be elsewhere waiting for Godot instead of enduring lives that would make Kafka pause and reconsider.
I will take your advice and explore possibilities in Nizwa and master this return issue in due course.

[khmerhit]

"Possibilities in Nizwa"

Good title for a novel!

thanks