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Emile Cioran
Joined: 15 Aug 2010
Posts: 26
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 Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 3:52 pm Post subject: Newbie coming to Saudia Arabia. Am I mad??!!!! |
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Hi everyone!
I'm a 34 year old single English guy with a Bsc, a post-grad dip, a CELTA and 4 years' teaching experience in Poland, Japan, South Korea and several British summer schools.
It looks like I may be coming to Saudi Arabia in September. I've been offered a position in a private elementary school in Jeddah and the pay (11,000 SR per month without accommodation) plus the 82 days annual leave per year are too good for me to turn down. Not too bad for someone who doesn't have a MA in linguistics or anything! I'd have to earn close to �30k a year here in the UK to clear that kind of cash! The working hours (Wed - Sun; 7am-2pm) seem manageable too.
I'm aware of some of the hardships I will face in SA but for that kind of packgage I'm prepared to put up with a lot of aggravation and grief. I can see that I will definitely need to escape from the country during my holidays in order to prevent going completely insane. Is this something that most expat Tefl teachers do who work over there? I've always wanted to go to India.....
I can also see that I will have to abstain from alcohol whille I am there. I've heard that at some expat get-togethers alcohol is sometimes consumed but that it's best to avoid these kinds of parties for the sake of any trouble that may be caused. I don't want any trouble.
I've also learnt that the internet is censored. May I ask what types of things are censored on the internet aside from pornography?
Are Saudia Arabian students co-operative and attentive in general when it comes to learning English? I'll be teaching classes of 18-20 boys in every class and I'm worried that this will take some getting used to as I have never taught more than 12 students at any one time before.
How much is rent for a cheap, no frills and furnished single accommodation in Jeddah these days? I've searched on the web but all this information tends to be about foreigner compounds.
I look forward to hearing your responses. Thank you in advance.
Emile Cioran
P.S. If anyone fancies a game of chess in Jeddah, I'm the man!
P.P.S. Will I find it difficult to find a pool table to play on? How about (really pushing my luck now) snooker? |
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TeresaLopez
Joined: 18 Apr 2010
Posts: 601
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 5:20 pm Post subject: Re: Newbie coming to Saudia Arabia. Am I mad??!!!! |
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| Emile Cioran wrote: |
Hi everyone!
It looks like I may be coming to Saudi Arabia in September.
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Wouldn't that be GOING to Saudi Arabia? It is always amazing to me the number of English teachers who don't know if they are coming or going. |
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Emile Cioran
Joined: 15 Aug 2010
Posts: 26
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| Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 5:35 pm Post subject: |
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If you don't have anything interesting or useful to say please could you be so kind as to refrain from clutturing up my topics with superfluous messages. Thank you. (Sigh) Dig the ambience here.  |
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cmp45
Joined: 17 Aug 2004
Posts: 1475
Location: KSA
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| Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 5:48 pm Post subject: |
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| Emile Cioran wrote: |
| If you don't have anything interesting or useful to say please could you be so kind as to refrain from clutturing up my topics with superfluous messages. Thank you. (Sigh) Dig the ambience here. |
I thought what Theresa had to say was 'kinda witty'...All your questions will surely be answered once you arrive in Jeddah. |
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Cleopatra
Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago
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| Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 5:52 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| Is this something that most expat Tefl teachers do who work over there? |
Oh yes! The generous amount of holidays which most teachers get, combined with the fact that KSA is in a great position for exploring Asia, the Middle East and Africa, is a big perk of working here.
| Quote: |
| I can also see that I will have to abstain from alcohol whille I am there. I've heard that at some expat get-togethers alcohol is sometimes consumed but that it's best to avoid these kinds of parties for the sake of any trouble that may be caused. I don't want any trouble. |
I don't see why you should forego expat parties if you enjoy them (they're not everyone's scene). As I've said before but it cannot be said too often - the biggest mistake many expats make is blurring the boundaries between public and private. Drinking alcohol in private homes, compounds or embassies is usually fine. Going out into the big bad world smelling of drink or being under the influence most certainly is not.
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| I've also learnt that the internet is censored. May I ask what types of things are censored on the internet aside from pornography? |
This question has been asked and answered many, many times, so I suggest you do a search. Short answer: less than you might think.
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| Are Saudia Arabian students co-operative and attentive in general when it comes to learning English? I'll be teaching classes of 18-20 boys in every class and I'm worried that this will take some getting used to as I have never taught more than 12 students at any one time before |
.
Again, there have been many discussions on this subject before. The general consensus is that young Saudis can be rather raucous and undisciplined - like most teenagers in other words, only more so. Especially if you're working in a private school, don't expect to be able to enforce much by way of discipline in class. On the plus side, even the silliest students are rarely overtly rude or obnoxious, certainly not when compared with their peers in Britain. |
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lazycomputerkids
Joined: 22 Sep 2009
Posts: 360
Location: Tabuk
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| Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 7:20 pm Post subject: Re: Newbie coming to Saudia Arabia. Am I mad??!!!! |
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| Emile Cioran wrote: |
| to clear that kind of cash! |
SARs in your eyes can be blinding.
Your offer should be housing and 11k. Jeddah's apt. prices aren't the lowest in the land. It'll be a third of your income. You've been offered less than a BA/BS with modest teaching experience. |
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lazycomputerkids
Joined: 22 Sep 2009
Posts: 360
Location: Tabuk
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| Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 7:24 pm Post subject: |
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| Emile Cioran wrote: |
| Thank you. (Sigh) Dig the ambience here. :roll: |
And humor, a sense of it. Bring that with you. |
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Never Ceased To Be Amazed
Joined: 22 Oct 2004
Posts: 3500
Location: Shhh...don't talk to me...I'm playin' dead...
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| Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 7:36 pm Post subject: |
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| cmp45 wrote: |
| ..All your questions will surely be answered once you arrive in Jeddah. |
Shouldn't that be depart to Jeddah?
NCTBA |
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Middle East Beast
Joined: 05 Mar 2008
Posts: 836
Location: Up a tree
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| Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 7:46 pm Post subject: |
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"Am I mad?" you ask.
Yes. |
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Grendal
Joined: 13 Aug 2009
Posts: 861
Location: Lurking in the depths of the Faisaliah Tower underground parking.
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| Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 7:51 pm Post subject: |
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I concur indubitably with lazy. 11k looks like a lot but life in Jeddah is not that cheap. If you join the 500 club and pay 3000 SAR for rent then you have internet, satellite, and cell phone expenses on top. That comes to roughly 4000 SAR gone.
Happy New Year.
Grendal |
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Never Ceased To Be Amazed
Joined: 22 Oct 2004
Posts: 3500
Location: Shhh...don't talk to me...I'm playin' dead...
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| Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 7:52 pm Post subject: |
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Don't be mad...be happy!
NCTBA |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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| Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 8:21 pm Post subject: |
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Dear Emile Cioran
Are you mad? Well, if you're not now, you will be after you arrive - mad/angry at the very least.
With your having to pay for housing and all the other attendant expenses, your salary will be paltry indeed.
As the other posters have told you, this is NOT a good offer at all.
Regards,
John |
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Emile Cioran
Joined: 15 Aug 2010
Posts: 26
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| Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 8:54 pm Post subject: |
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Type of Accommodation
Monthly Rent ($)
1-bedroom apartment (UNFURNISHED)
750�1,000
2-bedroom apartment
1,000�1,500
3-bedroom apartment
1,500�1,800
2/3-bedroom villa
1,800�2,250
4+-bedroom villa
2,250+
Furnished accommodation costs around 25 per cent more than the figures quoted above, and short-term lets are charged at a higher rate than longer ones.
So ........ 1,500 SAR would be more than enough for a one bed furnished flat. That would leave me with 9,500 SAR a month to play with after rent. That's a lot of money to me. I could do some serious saving with that. I didn't negotiate a salary so I'm sure that I could have haggled for more but I could always re-negotiate my salary if I decide to renew the contract. |
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Emile Cioran
Joined: 15 Aug 2010
Posts: 26
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| Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 8:56 pm Post subject: |
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| Oh, the prices are in dollars. I see what you mean. It's not cheap is it?!!! |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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| Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 9:07 pm Post subject: |
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Dear Emile Cioran,
"Oh, the prices are in dollars."
Yes, I'm afraid they are. So, for the very cheapest, unfurnished apartment ( and you can bet it would be a dump), you'd be subtracting nearly SR 3000 from your paycheck right away.
"It's not cheap is it?!!!:"
No, I'm afraid it isn't. And I suppose you'll want to eat, too - not to mention a phone. electricity, water, etc., etc.
It really IS a bad deal.
Regards,
John |
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