Job Discussion Forums

dazedandconfuzzed · Joined: 27 Feb 2008 Posts: 30

Sorry if this has been covered already (I searched and didn't find) but which do you think is better- KSA or UAE? or Al Khobar vs Abu Dhabi?

I'm female, 26 (3 years experience), single.
And yes, I'm in it for the money! (And I expect I might learn a thing or two). But in terms general quality of life, cost of living, sanity maintenance, any comments?

Thank you all.

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

26 year old single female? Quality of life and sanity? Personally thinking of myself at that age, I'd say neither one. But, if I had to choose, it would definitely be the Emirates... JMHO...

But, what are your qualifications? Do you have an MA?

VS

dazedandconfuzzed · Joined: 27 Feb 2008 Posts: 30

BA English Literature, though it says it's an MA as it's from one of the handful of older universities in the UK that call a BA+hons an MA. Plus CELTA and 3 years' experience. Yes, only CELTA but money for a normal MA doesn't grow on trees (it's hopefully earned in ME).

dazedandconfuzzed · Joined: 27 Feb 2008 Posts: 30

Although I'm 26 and probably supposed to be drunk all the time, I'm concerned about the alcohol in UAE as from what I can tell there are lots of rules about it. Doing without in KSA might be easier, rather than doing it incorrectly in UAE, no?

With Malice Toward None · Joined: 20 Oct 2009 Posts: 250

Dear DnC,
My vote goes to UAE, in your case, that is. You will earn more or less the same and still have something to call life. You don't want to be dazed and concussed, right?
Why don't you try Oman? Buraimi college, Sohar Univ, various colleges of technology under MoM are recruiting. SQU direct recruit will be there at TESOL Arabia conf in Dubai mid-March. Try there. You will earn considerably less in Oman, but you will enjoy being there.

Good luck.
WMTN.

With Malice Toward None · Joined: 20 Oct 2009 Posts: 250

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

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Booze is available in KSA as it is in most places where they have prohibition. If you have a booze problem, it will not go away just because you are in Saudi Arabia. Because of the way people drink here, secretly, behind closed doors, your habit will get worse.

I learned the hard way and that is why I am now a total abstainer.

As for choice between KSA and UAE, I prefer Saudi Arabia but I am not a female. I am not 26 years old, either.

Sheikh N Bake · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1307 Location: Dis ting of ours

I can remember when I was 26. I'd tell you all when that was but it would meet with one large collective yawn.

If I were 26 I'd love Dubai--you can have so much fun there. At night you cruise along Sheikh Zayed Road with Madonna's Reflections from the Dance Floor playing and you feel like you're really cool, in this cosmopolitan city with Star Wars buildings. Not sure what job you can get there, as others have said.

johnslat · Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 2:05 pm Post subject:

Dear scot47,

"Because of the way people drink here, secretly, behind closed doors, your habit will get worse."

Maybe such a "blanket statement" shouldn't be made, especially since it seems both you and I QUIT drinking in Saudi.

Regards,
John

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

My advice to young single females and young single heterosexual males is don't come to Saudi Arabia.

johnslat · Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 2:59 pm Post subject:

Dear Stephen,

So, to adapt a Cormac McCarthy title:

"No Country for Young (straight) Men (or Women")

Regards,
John

Pikgitina · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 420 Location: KSA

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

Pikgitina · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 420 Location: KSA