Job Discussion Forums

[lucylu]

My husband and I have been offered jobs at Ha'il University in Saudi. It was formally known as King Faisal Univ. of Petrol and Mining in Ha'il.

Can anyone out there give me some more information about this school?
What is the compound life like? How are the teachers treated? etc. etc.

Any info would be helpful.

[trapezius]

Currently: University of Ha'il (UOH)

Formerly: Ha'il Community College (HCC), under the auspices of the King Fahad University of Petroleum and Mining (KFUPM).

KFUPM is a university in the east of the country in Dhahran. HCC became an independent university (UOH) in 2006. There are still 2 more community colleges under KFUPM in different cities: Dammam Community College (DCC) and Hafr Al Batin Community College (HBCC).

Now that we have that out of the way, let's come to the question of UOH.

There are a million threads about UOH on this site. Just search for any of the following terms to make sure you get the most results:

Hail
Ha'il
UOH

The existing threads will answer your questions! But people currently there can still offer the latest news and information here.

[scot47]

Difficult place. Difficult environment. You have to be adaptable. Not suitable for those with school-age children. Perhaps easier for those already attuned to an Islamic Lifestyle. (??)

Trapezius is right in the background details. It began as a Community College under the aegis of KFUPM in Dhahran. It is now a university in its own right.

[ummkhadija]

Hello, Scot47

Why is in not suitable for individuals with school-aged children?

Thanks,

UmmKhadija

[scot47]

No schools for foreigners !

[ummkhadija]

Oh! Thats too bad (for individuals with children, that is)..

UmmKhadija

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

That's why the smarter people (w/children) drive (strive?) for the Big 3!

NCTBA

[ummkhadija]

Ahh, NCTBA

I still have alot to learn..So, what is the best school to teach in KSA, when you have school-aged children

UmmKhadija

[Mia Xanthi]

Any place that will pay for your children to go to an English-medium school run ENTIRELY by Western staff and faculty. I have never met anyone who was truly happy with an English-medium school that was run by Arab administrators, especially Lebanese administrators. Sorry to be so blunt about it, but I'm just giving my experience.

These types of schools (American International Schools, for example) are found in Dhahran, Riyadh, and Jeddah. I don't think you will find schools up to those standards in any other part of the Kingdom.

BTW, these schools are very expensive. It costs about 60,000 SAR per year for a high school student, somewhat less for kids in lower levels. That's around $20,000 US per year. If you have 3 kids....well, you do the math. More and more, employers are cutting back on this kind of benefit.

[ummkhadija]

Hello, Mia Xanthi

I am interested in a school thats medium of language is only Arabic. So, I am not interested in a school that has English as its medium that is run by Arabs.

Therefore, if my child's only option would be going to a school that Arabic is taught in a class, but all the rest of the classes are taught in English, than I would just homeschool. Yet, if I can get her into a school where all subjects are taught in Arabic, I would be willing to pay for it, but if its up to 20 US per year for school, than I may just stick with teaching her myself

Thanks for the information!

UmmKhadija

[Mia Xanthi]

UmmKhadijah, you are really in luck then. There are many good private schools where Arabic is the medium, and they are much, much cheaper than the English-medium schools.

However, do be careful in your selection. I had a friend who was Arab (husband was American) who wanted her children educated primarily in Arabic. She chose a highly-regarded Arabic-medium school, but still had so many problems that she had to pull her kids out.

Part of the problem (but certainly not all) was that her children were ostracized for having an American father. Despite the fact that the entire family, including the father, were devout Muslims, apparently the kids weren't considered Arab enough or Muslim enough by the other kids. Kids everywhere can be mean, and kids from a different background may be treated poorly in an Arabic-medium school whereas they would be more accepted at an English-medium school with a more diverse student body.

I don't know your specific situation, but these are just some things to keep in mind. Good luck to you in finding a position and schooling for your children.

[ummkhadija]

Hello: Mia Xanthi

Thanks again for the information. I can completely understand how children can be mean regardless of their age or demographic area, especially to foreigners or people who just look different. Neither me nor my husband are Arab, but we will do our best to help our child acculturate to their new surroundings in school and out:)..

Thanks,

UmmKhadija

[veiledsentiments]

ummkhadija,

I have heard other Muslim parents (non-Arab or mixed marriages) whose kids had a terrible time from the other kids and were given no protection or help from the school managements.

Most that I heard about ended up having to put their kids into the more expensive English medium international schools.

Seems we can't give you much good news.

VS

[ummkhadija]

Hello, VS

Thanks for the information, on other people's experiences in KSA...But, its a good thing to know, kids here in the US don't always have the best experiences in schools either, and we are a pretty big melting pot of cultures, so it really doesn't come as a big shock to me , when you are in a country like KSA...

UmmKhadija

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