Job Discussion Forums

[Mrs. S]

Hi everyone,

I am new to the forum but I�ve been visiting it and found that it is a GREAT source of information about jobs/life in the Middle East.

My husband is considering joining Zayed University or the American University in Sharjah as assistant professor in Business. We tried to have information about salaries but were not successful. I know that the forum is for English instructors but I hope somebody can help.

I�d like also to have some information about housing as I could found no pictures or videos (as done for KAUST) to get an idea about how acceptable/comfortable it is. Can anybody comment on that (either for Zayed University or AUS)? Is there a set of locations that I can google to get an idea about the neighborhood and available facilities for housing offered by the 2 universities? Are there some areas that you would recommend?

I have a master in English Literature and would like to know if it is possible for me to find a teaching position once there.

Thanks.

[veiledsentiments]

If you are American, the first choice would definitely be AUS. They have the best benefits package for us and their furnished housing is very nice... and on campus. The last time I looked, there were pictures on their website of the options... this was over a year ago, but I would guess that it is still there. Surf around in the faculty/employment part of their website. There are amenities on campus for the teachers.

That said, ZU has a nice housing inventory which is spread all around the city, but you would have no idea which you will get until you get there. With ZU, you get an allowance and have to go furniture shopping. It is rare, but possible, to get a flat with extras, so most people join one of the clubs.

To be honest, with ZU and AUS, housing is totally NOT a problem.

VS
(getting a position in Lit without a PhD may be a problem. Could you teach Freshman Composition? That is where the demand is for teachers of English.)

[Mrs. S]

Thanks veiledsentiments.

>If you are American, the first choice would definitely be AUS. They have the >best benefits package for us and their furnished housing is very nice... and on >campus.

Yes we are Americans. Can you please tell me more about their benefits package and salaries for assistant, Associate professors?

>With ZU, you get an allowance and have to go furniture shopping. It is rare, >but possible, to get a flat with extras, so most people join one of the clubs.

Can you please explain what is a flat (the equivalent of an appartment in the US???) Also what do you mean bu extras? Please tell me what is usually in a flat. I have no idea what to expect.

>To be honest, with ZU and AUS, housing is totally NOT a problem.

I assume then that housing in these universities is acceptable, isn't it? Any red flags or warnings that we should be aware of any kind??

>getting a position in Lit without a PhD may be a problem. Could you teach >Freshman Composition? That is where the demand is for teachers of English

Sounds interesting. Any hints on openings and how to approach them?

Thanks again

[Sheikh N Bake]

I was with three universities in the UAE over a nine-year period.

A flat is an apartment. Nomenclature is simply different in the Gulf. Anything that isn't a flat, such as a townhouse, they call a "villa." An apartment will be unfurnished and may or may not come with appliances. Your furniture allowance should suffice. A couple without children can expect a two-bedroom apartment with ZU. As for AUS, you probably know more than I do by now by examining their web site.

Extras are what VS is probably referring to as health club with swimming pool. Nice apartment buildings have them but average ones may not. So people join hotel gym clubs at somewhere around $1300 a year (give or take a few hundred).

I taught freshman research writing at the Petroleum Institute, but US institutions, just like in the States, prefer the PhD. You can always try...if you have a solid background. Sometimes you might find yourself in the right time at the right place. Somebody quits, whatever.

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

When I first heard someone say, "I live in a flat." I was obliged to ask, "A flat what?"

Lots of mysteries followed. Why would someone want to look under one's bonnet? They'd only find hair!

How big is one's boot if it can hold a suitcase?

Does every British house or flat have a garden? Is it a flower garden or vegetable?

Why would someone want to live in the street...wouldn't they get run over?

I'd heard of jumping someone's "bones", but never a traffic light! It's NOT erotic and jes' plain silly!

A person on a motorcycle riding pillion? Howzabout a billion?

The government are...?

How can a street become The High Street? Did Cheech & Chong move on...er...in it?

Only went to a prom and NEVER pushed a pram! Likewise, always rode a trolley, never pushed one...didn't think it possible, especially up and down the hills of San Francisco!



Dear Mrs. S, be prepared to learn a LOT about the English language in the U.A.E.! I found it an interesting and enlightening experience.

NCTBA

[veiledsentiments]