Job Discussion Forums

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 5:08 pm Post subject:

I haven't heard great things about the American University there. Quite an expensive university for the country, but I'm not sure their pay for profs is commensurate.

There are things I'd be willing to do in Afghanistan, and probably in less desireable locations. But is has to be something I WANT to do.

Best,
Justin

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 8:49 pm Post subject:

I see what you're saying. I won't deny that Afghanistan is probably a scary place. I did want to go when I had the offer, and if a similar offer comes up, I won't hesitate. But I'm not pretending that it's 100% safe.

I don't think that it supports your statement that "the chances of you surviving in the job more than a week are pretty slim," though.

There are many thousands of foreign workers in Afghanistan. It's probably one of the world's largest recipients of foreign aid right now. I understand that people involved in this are sometimes targeted. I can't understand the leap from "dozens have been killed" to "unlikely to survive more than a week," though. Unless you maintain that the dozens killed represent the majority of foreign workers there, which would be hard to support.

Best,
Justin

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

A large number of foreign workers live in Kabul and are highly protected.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 2:49 pm Post subject:

I agree with that, StephenJones. One of the reasons I wanted to get involved in English teacher training there is that by increasing the opportunities for Afghan people to learn English, we could increase the opportunities for local people to fill similar roles for international organisations, reducing the needs for foreign workers.

Another reason is that I liked the salary.

Nonetheless, your contention that foreign workers are unlikely to survive a week is hyperbole, at best.

Best,
Justin

Cool Teacher · Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 3:01 pm Post subject:

Too many naty evil mothers killing anyone tryint to do good things.

I heard srtories about teachers of English being killed there and also witless lefties in the West nodding along as if the rabid reactionaries were fighting against imperialism and the people who wanted to learn another language were Quislings.

Makes me sick.

Sadebugo · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 524

I worked in AF last year. I am DOD but some of my colleagues were contractors who were getting low six figures plus all expenses paid. We worked/lived on a military base and dodged rockets lobbed in on occasion. I can't imagine working outside the perimeter for any amount of money. If you can quote examples of those who have and survived, really, it was just a matter of luck that they did.

Just my two cents,

Sadebugo
http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/

Teacher in Rome · Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Posts: 1286

Is it only male teachers that get these "opportunities"? I haven't heard of any female teachers going to either destination - would be interested to hear their experiences.

Being caught in an Israeli "firing in the air" exercise in the West Bank was enough "close up and personal" experience of guns and ideology for me. I don't thinl my reaction of freezing in terror would be much help if rockets were going off all around.

Kudos to those of you who can keep a cool head in such situations. Is it really worth the risk, though?

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 9:45 pm Post subject:

Several of the colleagues I was meant to join in AF were women.

DOn't know if they read this forum though.

I'd love to hear more of your story sadebugo- But I still have to say, if it's mere luck that they survived, why do the majority survive.

Best,
Justin

Sadebugo · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 524

fat_chris · Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 3198 Location: Beijing

I'm with Justin's line of thinking on this one. The opportunity to train teachers in rural Afghanistan or help set up the English Department at the University of Kabul would be remarkable opportunities that I would have a really hard time passing up were I ever to be regarded so worthy of gaining these opportunities.

fat_chris

basiltherat · Joined: 04 Oct 2003 Posts: 952

zeke0606 · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 7:39 pm Post subject: what

I'm with you John!

Don't drop a hat with a plane ticket in it -- I'm there.

John, we have been to much worse places that Pipelineastan -- we were in the Nam! And there was no pay there either! E-3 over 2 = base pay $108/mo 1969!

Any chance that we may just get to go................................

Zeke

VagabondMK · Joined: 30 May 2009 Posts: 2

I wouldn't go to Baghdad or Mosul, but the Kurdish region of Iraq is more stable in terms of security. That could change at anytime. I saw bombed out shells of cars in the Kurdish region and there was a car bomb found at a checkpoint outside of Erbil in October. The odds of anything spectacular happening to any one person are slim, but if it does, the money won't compensate you. Go if you are committed to the cause, but not for the money.

The Ever-changing Cleric · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523

i worked in the former yugoslavia in the early and mid 90's for a period of 18 months, so i have some experience in these situations. living in that part of the world would be a piece of cake compared to living in many parts of iraq or afghanistan.

sure, there are relatively safe parts of those two countries, but that's really little comfort. some of the hostages taken in afghanistan in the past few years were captured right in kabul which is supposed to be one of the safest parts of the country. and the situation can change very quickly. if the bad guys need money, they'll look for hostages wherever they can find them.

on top of all that, there must be a lot of restrictions on living there. not really worth it in my opinion.