Job Discussion Forums

joey2250 · Joined: 28 Jun 2009 Posts: 1

I have found a position teaching at the KFU campus in Al Hasa.

The position pays about 12,100SAR and has the usual extra's: medical, housing, and airfare.

Has anyone worked at KFU before? What do you think of the place if you have?

Also what is it like working/living in Al Hasa? I read it was about 2.5 hours from Dammam, so I can at least get over to Bahrain for a drink now and then.

I have lived almost 2 years in Riyadh, so I understand what Saudi is like from the Riyadh POV.

Any input would be great! Thanks in advance.

funcky1924 · Joined: 26 Aug 2009 Posts: 45 Location: Saudi

Have you been offered from berlitz to work there or directly with KFU?

Hassa or Al-Ahsa at times is a typical saudi city, but unique for its date palms....nothing great compaired to other cities, but on the good side bahrain and qatar are just round the corner.

The Lathe of Heaven · Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 12:37 am Post subject:

shhhhh.........

don't tell us what you are getting there. Deepthroat (my inside wo/man) has given such sensitive info as their old salaries, 13,300 SAR plus all the perks, and most of the old staff have not been offered new contracts. How peculiar?

TLOH

RUBALKHALI · Joined: 10 Sep 2009 Posts: 71 Location: DESERTSTORM

Dear KFU Candidate:

Al Hasa is a dump in the desert near the Empty Quarter. Pack lightly. Job security at KFU is minimal at best...especially if you were hired with AL Shabaka! The amateurs who run the programme at KFU will skillfully lead you into mass confusion and you may be crossing into Bahrain earlier than you may wish...so your desire to have a beer may eventuate earlier than you expect...due to your suspicious contract.

Rolling Eyes

Chthon · Joined: 03 Jun 2009 Posts: 54

A lot of straightforward lies have flown around regarding KFU and Shabakah. I was the second employee/first teacher to arrive there and still work there, so I saw everyone come and leave.

There was a group of four or five miscreants who have created multiple accounts on this site, and have contacted others here as well. Aside from them, there were other teachers that quit for legitimate reasons. To my knowledge, none of those teachers ever came to Dave's but a few threads about KFU and Shabakah have already been deleted due to people spreading hearsay and literally making things up (specifically, two individuals whom I know very well).

It's the lowest pressure job I have ever had in my life. The problem isn't the work, it's the environment. Hasa is accurately described as a dump and many of the teachers became irritable and clashed with one another and the management. It's not like Riyadh or even Taif, there is one mall and not much else. You get cabin fever fast.

If you can (1) deal with the environment and (2) actually function politely like a normal human being with coworkers, then you should be fine. A few of our teachers hated the place and professionally and quietly stepped down. Some people just don't like Saudi Arabia (or they really don't like Hasa). Just think long and hard before you make the decision to come here.

svatopluk · Joined: 16 Sep 2009 Posts: 81

I had quite a good time in al-Hasa and for a Saudi city it still has atmosphere and a bit of olde world charm. The people are Shia, therefore downtrodden. The oasis is awsome and I'd recommend getting a car and exploring. There are also beaches within 50km which can be driven across sand to.

AirHorn · Joined: 16 Jan 2009 Posts: 20

I was in Al-Hasa for a couple of days for a conference at the University there. I liked it, older than the larger KSA cities but charming in their own way and the city is very green as compared to other places in KSA.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 2:51 pm Post subject:

The Lathe of Heaven · Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 12:16 am Post subject:

Hi fu&cky 1924.

Have you ever been to Al-Hassa?
Is this what you did when you were there?

From f 1924's profile page:
Interests: Football and making sure Saudis are put in their places, they just came out of their caves 79 years ago!!!

You're living in a glass house here. I wouldn't be throwing stones if I were you.

Greatest regards.

TLOH

johnslat · Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 2:04 am Post subject:

Aw, come on boys and girls: play nice. Smile

Regards,
John

funcky1924 · Joined: 26 Aug 2009 Posts: 45 Location: Saudi

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

I guess it was so accurate that you wanted to make sure no one missed it. Perhaps you added something in there, but who could tell.

If I were you, I would edit my profile to something less racist and ugly.

VS

funcky1924 · Joined: 26 Aug 2009 Posts: 45 Location: Saudi

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

johnslat · Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 4:29 pm Post subject:

Dear funcky1924,
With an attitude such as that, I suspect that you're not enjoying/going to enjoy the Kingdom very much. I also suspect that your stay there will likely be not over-long.
And that's OK - it's probably better that way for both you AND the Saudis.
But if you want to see some REAL Neanderthals (who, by the way, have a bad rep - Neanderthals had bigger cranial capacity than Homo Sapiens and were,on the average, smarter than our ancestors. They simply were unable to communicate as well, owing to their physical limitations (i.e. the shape of their larynx.) drop by, say. Tulsa, OK or Jacksonville, FL on a Friday or Saturday night.
Regards,
John