Job Discussion Forums

[veiledsentiments]

[sliim]

I too am a Canadian citizen, and I also taught in Yemen for a while.

I am not sure if things have changed since I was there, but in my time, the nearest Canadian Embassy to Yemen was in Riyadh. There was an "honorary" office in Sana'a when I was there.

That office was absolutely useless. I had had a conflict with my employer (my employer ended my contract and tried to get me out of the country without paying some $3000 owed to me in back pay), and when I contacted the honorary consulate (at least I think that is what it was called), I learned that the man in charge was friends with the owner of the institute I worked for. So, needless to say, they were of no help at all.

The Canadian government publishes a booklet called "Before You Go" that details your rights and responsibilities when you work abroad. In short, you have far more responsibilities than rights. You are subject to the law of the land where you live and there is very little the government will do to help you, should you get into trouble. You may recall the case of William Sampson, a Canadian citizen that was jailed as a suspected bootlegger in Saudi. The Canadian authorities had little willingness nor ability to help him, until the axe was getting sharpened for his head, basically. So if you get in trouble, don�t expect the embassy to bail you out.

Yemen, however, is not Saudi.

It is a common notion among Yemenis (although not a true one) that foreign workers coming from Canada, America, Europe, etc. have enormous rights, and they are therefore hesitant to stop you or stand in your way as far as legal problems are concerned. That notion alone can give you leverage where otherwise you have none. Myself, I was arrested (someone bribed the police to arrest me on bogus charges), but I was well treated by the police and managed to state my case, defend myself, and walk away clean�without paying any bribes. It also helped me enormously that the charges were extreme and absurd�and it also was to my advantage that my accuser was not a well-connected individual.

So if you are going to go to Yemen, you have got to make sure to cover your bases��tie your camel� might be a more germane expression. I have said this in virtually every thread on Yemen, but it is worth saying again:

Work for the right employer.

A good employer will not only pay you well and pay on time, but your employer will also be a guide to you, advising you on where to go, where not to go, and show you the town and how to manage as an expat. A bad employer will take advantage of your naivet� and suck your blood.

Lastly, the best way to survive while living in Yemen is to make good connections. You will find that it is of greater benefit to befriend the local imam or tribal elder than the government. Yemen is a traditional society, and these traditional sources of authority are still the best place to find help when you need it.

So, don�t shy away from Yemen, but don�t be a sucker either.

Best,

Sliim

[CDAN]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and advice. It's all very useful and much appreciated!

[rakshasa3]

Loved Yemen, felt more safe there than just about any other country I have ever been to. I was often given free taxi rides, and other small gifts from shop owners when they found out I was teaching there, not to mention being invited to student's homes and treated like a queen.

I am female, went out by myself, walked at night (always cautiously; I'm not out to look for trouble), travelled all over with another female, and was nearly always welcomed and treated with respect.

Of course, like anywhere, there were a few sketchy situations involving unwanted male attention, but that was about half a dozen over the span of about 8 months as opposed to half a dozen in 30 seconds in places like India.

We did get airport-style x-ray machines installed at our school in Sana'a (Amideast), but that's only reasonable seeing as they are an American-based institute. They are also viligant about relaying any security warnings and allowing you to make your decision about what to do.

Only a few times did I feel any outward hostility regarding my being a Westerner. I did not wear a hijab or abaya, but did cover and wear long skirts and long sleeves.

OF course, the situation is escalating a little due to the good ol' U.S. and their interference, and yes, there have been instances of foreigners being fatally targeted over the last few years. But hey, bombs on subways in Madrid and London, bombs in hotels in Bali and Egypt... what are you going to do, never leave your house? Also, those tourists were travelling in obvious tourist groups.

I travelled by taxi into the wadi where a tourist was killed a few months before. But, we were travelling with a young male driver who is from that wadi and knew everyone along the route. We had no issues whatsoever. My husband being Arab (Maghrebi), of course, helped to a degree. (He came after my contract; I spent my contract time there without him).

You can also take Arab language classes and the school will offer 'guided' trips with their own 'recreation director', to any place that you request, especially if you can get a few people to go. So you don't have to go blind (or, speechless).

You need to do research, ask your potential employer questions, ask yourself what your comfort level is, and whether you are willing to go beyond it. Its not easy at first, but I have absolutely no regrets about going. I'd go again. I'm looking forward to it.

I haven't heard the best things about language schools other than Amideast. I can recommend Amideast as they run their operation by American rules of employment, not Yemeni ones (which, I'm sorry to say, are by and large, dubious).

By now I'm sure the original posters have made their decision, but for anyone looking for people's experiences and 'words of wisdom' in the future, these are mine.

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

Well, that's it, folks! You now have the definitive word on Yemen!

Open up the floodgates and proceed directly into the country!

That is of, of course, until those pesky Americans decide to bomb their own warship doing a port call in Aden again or talk a Nigerian into walking onto a U.S.-bound plane with a bomb strapped on him...

NCTBA

[veiledsentiments]

Now NCTBA, she never claimed that hers was the definitive experience, but only her experience. And, it matches that of my friends over the last 10 years.

Thanks rakshasa. AMIDEAST continues to be a dependable employer, and Sana'a is still pretty safe. It is an ever evolving and sadly deteriorating situation in Yemen. As you pointed out, your trip through the wadi was fine, but not long before a tourist had been killed there.

As you also said, it depends on one's comfort level and ability to keep current on the situation outside of the city. But that said, I still think it is one of the riskier gigs in the Middle East... similar to Afghanistan. Where Kabul is mostly safe, but once into the countryside, unpredictability comes into play.

Not for me (or NCTBA), but perhaps for the young and adventurous. I regret that I never visited when I was so close living in Oman.

VS

[cmann]

I lived in Yemen for two years, both Sana�a and Aden, and had the best time of my life, friends who worked at Amedeast loved it and I was at MALI and had no complaints the students and staff were great and the pay was on time, all I ask for. Safety was not a real issue though some parts of the country were off limits. Only in Syria have I met such hospitality and kindness from locals. The money doesn�t sound that great but it goes a long long way. I would go back in a shot but my wife has a good job and isn�t keen to up sticks.

[khmerhit]

[cassava]

CDAN:

I think Johnslat has a valid point. In fact, I would go as far as to say that the Canadian embassy is one of the worst in that regard. When I lived in the Middle East, regardless of which country I was living in at the time, the Canadian embassy kept urging Canadians to leave.

Obviously, one has to take precautions and act in a sensible and rational manner regardless of the foreign country in which one is working. However, it has been my experience that, among Western countries, Canadian officials are usually the first to panic and bolt for the doors at the slightest inkling of trouble. They also make no bones about telling you that you are on your own, once you ignore their hysterical advice. It is important to analyze their comments very carefully and not act solely on the basis of their recommendations.

[polyglot2000]

I am currently teacing at Amideast in Aden. There have been a few "incidents" in the area, but we are continuing our program with the students without any problems.

[mattjd43]

If you want to teach in Yemen, Amideast is the place to go. I taught there in 2009 -- mostly in Sana'a but did a session in Aden also -- and thoroughly enjoyed myself. You won't get rich working there, but they have a good program in place to help new teachers along, and you'll be rewarded with an unforgettable experience.

The cities are safer than their reputation. I feel much safer walking the streets of Sana'a than I do walking around my city here in the U.S.

Feel free to PM me with any questions.

[uaeobserver]

I was a guest instructor in Yemen (Sanaa) during a winter break.

The students were kind and eager. The facilities were horrible (Yemen obviously doesn't understand much about acoustics - an important factor when you teach a language). The room was about 6 meters high, and was all concrete. The windows and the doorway to the hall were broken.

My guest housing was modest, but adequate.

There were certainly nowhere near as many distractions in Sanaa as - say Dubai or Abu Dhabi. That said, the culture wasn't that different from Fujairah or Al Ain --- just a lot less money (than either).

My stay had one bad moment - when there was an impromtu protest against Israel and the west. I was told to stay in my quarters.

A few bright young men figured out where I was - and they came to talk with me, anyway......

I was apparently quite a hit, since I didn't speak Hin-English (they had been asking the Dean to please bring native speakers over to teach).

I felt bad for their regular teacher (an Indian, who held a doctorate from a very reputible US institution).

I found the students exciting, interesting, and energetic. I really do wish the facilities were better - more so for them!

[eha]

'A few bright young men figured out where I was - and they came to talk with me, anyway...... '

Only to talk?