Job Discussion Forums

[metalval]

Well, I'm offered a job in Hail. I read some threads here but nobody describes in details the kind of life. Now I'm in Oman, my salary is modest, I have some freedom (and I can swim in the sea) but I don't know if it's worth to be here for the modest salary when my conditions are not stable.
I'm offered 2-year contract with about $ 50 k a year all benefits including free accommodation, flight, etc, ( I guess standard package).
My questions are:
- They said they opened new international school. How many foreigners are there?
- Are there any compounds? Like oil-companies compounds?
- What is the teaching like?
- Curriculum?
- Does the university keep the passports during the year or it is possible to travel without any problems?
- Any available facilities?
- I assume it's much cheaper than Riyadh.
- Any house parties? )) (There are plenty of those in Riyadh) (And please don't tell me I'm crazy)

[scot47]

You will be the only Ukrainian on the teaching staff. I suspect that most of your teaching colleagues will not know where the Ukraine is, and may mistake it for a US State or territory.

[007]

[scot47]

Your social life will not be as hectic as in Riyadh, or Jeddah. Not many foreigners and very few "Westerners".

[Cleopatra]

Hail is a very conservative place, even by Saudi standards. From what I've heard, even non-Muslim 'Western" women sometimes feel pressured into covering their faces there. It might be a tolerable place for someone with a family, but as a single woman I wouldn't consider it, or indeed anywhere outside Riyadh, Jeddah or Al Khobar/Dhahran.

As for the uni itself, read some of the threads on this board. Most are a little out of date but they can give you some idea of what to expect. Again, the overall impression is of a place which most people would go to only as a last resort.

[scot47]

A good place for the Pious Ones. Others only go there if they are really hard up and desperately need a job !