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StallionLance
Joined: 17 Feb 2005
Posts: 31
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 Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 2:30 am Post subject: Experiences for guys at KSU / Bell |
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I am currently in discussions with the people at Bell about teaching with KSU in Riyadh and I need some info to help make an informed decision. I have read a lot on this site about the difficulties at the school, but I gather that a lot of it resulted from the housing inadequacies or from the experiences from the ladies (which are quite valid, but maybe different than a guy`s experience since the camupses are separate). Are guys` experiences any different? I gather from reading on this site that nearly everything at KSU is difficult for the ladies, but is it the same for the fellas?
Are there any guys on here that are currently working at King Saud Uni in Riyadh? If so, could you please give a report on the CURRENT situation there for us guys (if it is in fact different that is)?
What are the working hours? Are there issues with getting paid on time? Is housing available near the campus? Are there other issues I should consider as a guy before taking on this gig? (other than the cultural differences across the Kingdom)?
Thanks for the insight,
SL |
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manowur
Joined: 30 Oct 2008
Posts: 68
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| Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 8:01 pm Post subject: |
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Hey SL,
I'm actually in the same boat as you.
Most of the questions you posed are also concerns I have.
I know there are a lot of resident Saudi experts (and in particular Bell/KSU) out there reading these posts, so hopefully some of them will start replying soon.
Thanks. |
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Never Ceased To Be Amazed
Joined: 22 Oct 2004
Posts: 3500
Location: Shhh...don't talk to me...I'm playin' dead...
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| Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 8:20 pm Post subject: |
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One might ask..."Why would one consider working for a potential employer if one had to ask these questions?"
Only the truly desperate for employment would come on a public board and seem to be interested in such employment!
NCTBA |
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manowur
Joined: 30 Oct 2008
Posts: 68
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| Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 10:46 pm Post subject: |
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Now that we have insults out of the way, would anyone else be able to provide more constructive responses?
Thanks again. |
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huntjuliehunt
Joined: 09 May 2007
Posts: 87
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| Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 11:04 pm Post subject: |
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| What problems have people described previously? I can't speak for the last year, only for the first year of the program. There wasn't much to complain about, except for students who didn't want to be taught English and made life very difficult. Also, running up and down flights of stairs to get materials from offices. Testing and evaluation days were not fun, but you have to bite the bullet. Not enough fresh outdoor air in the building? I had taught at a Saudi institute where students wanted to learn and it made all the difference. But who wants to work long hours and split shifts? Not I. |
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Cleopatra
Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago
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| Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 7:13 am Post subject: |
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| One might ask..."Why would one consider working for a potential employer if one had to ask these questions?" |
One might do so, but this would indicate that one is rather silly and completely misunderstands the purpose of boards like this one.
Obviously, this is second hand stuff, but from what I've heard from men working at Bell/KSU, it's not such a bad place to work. There are all the frustrations and irritations of working in a newly opened place, and it's not the most 'fulfilling' work experience. However, the package is not bad, the work is easy if dull, and there's lots of time off. Housing is shared, though last I heard, male teachers who had been with KSU for more than a year were being offered housing allowance.
As I say, this is second hand info and may not be accurate. But hopefully it will give you a general guideline. |
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Never Ceased To Be Amazed
Joined: 22 Oct 2004
Posts: 3500
Location: Shhh...don't talk to me...I'm playin' dead...
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| Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 8:22 am Post subject: |
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I've heard nothing but bad and I wouldn't CONSIDER working for an employer that might or MIGHT NOT pay on time.
My focus wasn't on the employer, it was based on the initial question asked.
NCTBA |
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Cleopatra
Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago
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| Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 8:39 am Post subject: |
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| I've heard nothing but bad and I wouldn't CONSIDER working for an employer that might or MIGHT NOT pay on time. |
The poster was seeking to have rumours (and that's all they are) about Bell confirmed or denied. He also said that most of the negative things he'd read related to the women's college, which may or may apply to the men's. That was what he was interested in finding out. Presumably, he wishes to be as well-informed as possible before deciding whether to work for Bell or not.
That doesn't sound desperate to me. It sounds sensible. |
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Kalima Shahada
Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Posts: 198
Location: I live in a house, but my home is in the stable.
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| Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 10:12 am Post subject: Re: Experiences for guys at KSU / Bell |
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| StallionLance wrote: |
I am currently in discussions with the people at Bell about teaching with KSU in Riyadh and I need some info to help make an informed decision. I have read a lot on this site about the difficulties at the school, but I gather that a lot of it resulted from the housing inadequacies or from the experiences from the ladies (which are quite valid, but maybe different than a guy`s experience since the camupses are separate). Are guys` experiences any different? I gather from reading on this site that nearly everything at KSU is difficult for the ladies, but is it the same for the fellas?
Are there any guys on here that are currently working at King Saud Uni in Riyadh? If so, could you please give a report on the CURRENT situation there for us guys (if it is in fact different that is)?
What are the working hours? Are there issues with getting paid on time? Is housing available near the campus? Are there other issues I should consider as a guy before taking on this gig? (other than the cultural differences across the Kingdom)?
Thanks for the insight,
SL |
Three things:
1.) Why don't you read all the threads on here about this very topic - there are many of them on here and most of your questions have already been answered.
2.) Why don't you get some phone numbers of teachers who are working there and talk with them directly?
3.) Word on the street is: "this place is the bottom feeder of all bottom feeders when it comes to Saudi university ESL programs." The BELL/KSU partnership has a terrible reputation amongst teachers and mostly because of the way they are treated by 'these cowboys.' Don't take my word for it, read for yourself and definately talk with the teachers directly. |
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manowur
Joined: 30 Oct 2008
Posts: 68
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| Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 8:49 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you everyone for all your help up until now.
Just some further thoughts/questions in response:
1) The poster clearly asked to know about the CURRENT situation. From the older threads, the most up-to-date info I found seems to be discussing what was going on in the summer. Now that the new term is underway, it would be nice to get an update to see if anything has changed for the better, or worse (although it sounds like it can't get much worse according to some people). I would particularly be interested in knowing how the short-staff situation is being handled (if it indeed still exists).
2) How is it possible to contact teachers there when Bell won't release such information? I know because I already asked, and they said such information is confidential. Could also of course be a sign though that Bell doesn't want any horror stories being leaked.
Lastly, just want to send a special shout out to Cleo and others (you know who you are). Much love for your patience and understanding! You've been an invaluable asset to some of us less fortunate ones in learning about the KSA TEFL scene.
All the best! |
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InterRick
Joined: 18 Jul 2009
Posts: 86
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| Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 4:50 am Post subject: |
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| manowur wrote: |
| 1) The poster clearly asked to know about the CURRENT situation. From the older threads, the most up-to-date info I found seems to be discussing what was going on in the summer. Now that the new term is underway, it would be nice to get an update to see if anything has changed for the better, or worse (although it sounds like it can't get much worse according to some people). I would particularly be interested in knowing how the short-staff situation is being handled (if it indeed still exists). |
I, too, am interested in knowing this, although more generally since it is not only the KSU/Bell people who are waiting.
The semester has begun and many teachers are still waiting on visas. Just what is happening in the classrooms into which all these teachers will supposedly go? |
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Kalima Shahada
Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Posts: 198
Location: I live in a house, but my home is in the stable.
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| Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 6:27 am Post subject: |
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| manowur wrote: |
| 2) How is it possible to contact teachers there when Bell won't release such information? I know because I already asked, and they said such information is confidential. Could also of course be a sign though that Bell doesn't want any horror stories being leaked. |
Well, there you go! 
You didn't read that all the men were recently kicked out of their accommodations at the last minute and told to find their own places (with nearly zero help from their employer)? If that's not a horror story, I don't know what is. |
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Never Ceased To Be Amazed
Joined: 22 Oct 2004
Posts: 3500
Location: Shhh...don't talk to me...I'm playin' dead...
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| Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 7:20 am Post subject: |
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Yep! But don't listen to me...listen to what YOU WANNA HEAR!!!
Attack watcha don't!
NCTBA |
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