Job Discussion Forums

[gorkomi]

What are the total IAT working hours each day?

Is there a vacation in late December (so I can go home for Christmas) ?

Thank you.

[veiledsentiments]

Christmas is normally a workday in the Middle East, just as are Easter and every Sunday.

VS

[helenl]

The academic calendar is posted on their website - and no, you won't be going home for Christmas

[scot47]

Not 100% sure of UAE but you had better get used to the Hegira calendar if you are coming to KSA. Ramadan and the Greater Pilgrimage are the only recognised holidays. National Day is now recognised too but if you get the day off for that ,most employers will expect you to work one Thursday to pay it back.

And get used to a weekend that is on Thursday and Friday ! But in UAE now Friday and Saturday.

Confused ? Just wait till you get here !

[Iamherebecause]

IAT is not in KSA so scot47's post might confuse a newcomer! ... UAE runs to something resembling a regular academic year with a longish break over the Summer (straddling June-July-August) and a shorter break in January.

There is normally time off for Islamic holidays, National Day and Gregorian New Year but if a holiday falls at the weekend you don't get an extra day to compensate. Also the days off for Islamic holidays are often announced at short notice.

This year the long holidays are a little unusual in several institutions as they are choosing to start the academic year after Ramadan. So the mid-year break is rather short.

[veiledsentiments]

[Incedere]

Actually, I think we did get Christmas off, once, two years ago, but that was due to an overlap between Eid and Christmas

But otherwise? Forget it.