Job Discussion Forums

[kmarbar]

HI. I'm relocating to RAK in April with my husband and son (2 years) I have a faculty job at HCT WC but my husband doesn't have anything yet.

I'd like some feedback / advice to 3 main questions please. Firstly what kind of accommodation can we expect? I keep asking the HR office but am getting no reply and I need to organise transporting all our goods out from the UK. Will it be a reasonable size? White goods etc? Any info would be much appreciated.

I have been looking at nurseries for my son and would like to find out about childcare. My job will be full time but I've no idea of timetable etc... How is the Oxford Nursery?

My husband doesn't have work yet and we are very worried that he will find it difficult to find work once we are there? He has been contacting and applying for things from UK. He has a MSc in Engineering Design.

Finally I will be working for HCT. I've heard some bad things on here but they seem to be about Abu Dhabi? I spoke to a friend who lived in RAK 2 years ago and worked for RAKESS and loved it there and said HCT WC seemed to be a good place. I really hope I'm not jumping from the frying pan into the fire relocating my family, leaving a deputy HoD position and renting our home out in the UK.

Thanks for any feedback, advice etc... please I hope not to hear too many scary stories. Thanks for any info or advice you can give.

[homeless vet]

You'll get 30K AED to buy household goods when you arrive - leave your stuff at home in storage, buy stuff in the UAE. This way, you're not stuck in the country because of "stuff" if you don't like it. It's more expensive to ship out of the UAE than to it. We came with two suitcases each and a dog, we left with two suitcases each and a dog. Go with the intent that you're going to earn and send home a pile of money each month, then leave. There's no other reason to go to the UAE, especially HCT, whatever campus you go to.

[homeless vet]

PS - If you're faculty and moving to HCT, that should tell you there was/were unplanned exits by other faculty, as you'll be arriving mid-term.

[kmarbar]

Hi HV
thanks so much for the info and reply. I'm arriving mid-term due to my contract in the UK and I set the date to start, so they've kept the post for me. Doesn't sound too good to be honest? I've lived abroad before and we're thinking of the chance to move away to have some more time together as a family.

In the UK we're working like dogs for average pay, loads of tax, astronomical childcare costs and all and very far from home so thought it might be a good idea to move away and try to get more time together. HCT sounds dubious? Is there anyone who hasn't had a bad experience out there? I suppose it's all relative, I currently have the boss from hell so might not feel so bad for me being out there.

I really appreciate your advice.

[helenl]

HCT doesn't accomodate you, you accomodate them. Obviously they're in a real bind, you're interested and qualified, they jumped. Your husband's quals seem to fit in with HCT's requirements - why didn't they hire you as a couple?

Sorry to seem negative, but HCT is seemingly heading for an implosion - trying to reinvent itself as a degree granting institution when they have maybe one internationally recognized accreditation (and they shopped around for that). HCT has actually served a valuable niche market - but they're trying to compete with international unis and SZU - they can't with the market they serve.

You will be expected to have your bottom on your cubicle seat/in the classroom at least from 0800 to possibly 1600hrs per day possibly longer if you are allocated any evening classes (in the past, HCT has tried to ensure that you are forced to be on campus 8 or 9 hours per day - but that has changed depending on the college)

If you are EFL - you will be expected/required to attend a myriad of inane, time consuming and non-productive meetings probably several times per week.

If you have the boss from hell now, you are prepared for what you may encounter at HCT

[kmarbar]

oh gosh Helenl, I guess you've worked there and left? do you have any info about RAK? If you've lived there would love to hear about the place especially the childcare.
many thanks

[Sheikh N Bake]

I worked for HCT in Dubai for 5 years. Naturally, I concur with Helenl. HCT has gone completely to hell. YOu should check out the "HCT Sucks" blog...just google it or find it here under the ADWC Firings thread. You'll find it a revelation. Although Abu Dhabi is the worst offender, I would avoid all HCT campuses if possible. AND I would avoid RAK. I was there 2005-2007 (not with HCT) and I have nothing good to say about that dump.

I may sound like some embittered loony. Actually I will say that Dubai Women's College was OK when I was there, many years ago, for five years. I had a little niche and most of the time they left me alone, although the young "ladies" were just awful except for a few nice ones.

Have you tried Zayed U? In any case, if there are no other offers, I would take the RAK HCT one and immediately begin my search for greener pastures...Zayed U, American U of Sharjah...uhm....what else....I dunno...I earn more now in Saudi than I could in the Emirates and I get to go home at lunch time every day.

[kmarbar]

Hi SnB
thanks so much for the reply. I was checking out all the other forums which prompted my post. I'm really having the willies now, I just wanted to get away with my little family and try to have a new experience and start a new life for a few short years. A good uni friend of mine worked in RAK for the RAKESS for 5 years and loved it. He's in Kuwait now with his missus and baby, again more money. But TBH we haven't decided to do it for the money.

UAE is going to be a culture change for us and I really don't think I could bare Saudi... I'm liberal but not open minded enough to ensconce myself in a hijab and have to ask my husband's permission for everything haa haa. (sorry for the radical stereotypes).

I'll see how it goes, as we have no other choice now anyway. I wonder if you are able to advise about work opportunities for my old man? He hasn't heard anything back from anyone and TBH we're getting a little paranoid about his background and education. He is British but also Colombian and his first uni degree and high school education was in Bogota. His MSc in London. Do you think this would go against him in UAE? He's getting no joy at all and it's looking like he'll be a house daddy while I'm handcuffed to a desk? hee hee

[veiledsentiments]

I know some people teaching at RAK HCT, and the manager that got the most complaints is now one of the gang at ADW creating a large part of the bad press. Most of the housing seems to be very nice, but that is luck of the draw. If you draw a bad one to start, there is the possibility of changing when other teachers leave.

Things are... tolerable... there at the moment, if you have realistic expectations. My experience at ADW was too many years ago to be of use to you as to specifics, but even back then survival was a matter of keeping one's head down and trying to ignore all the dramas that show up in a system this size. A good skill to have is the ability to either sleep with your eyes open or do mental lesson plans while appearing to be interested in their numerous meetings. The hours will be long... and the system is in flux due to major educational changes in the country's schools.

On the positive side, in many ways life is easier than back in our home countries... after the first six months or so, you will be able to save money. I found the Emirati students to be mostly fun to teach... with the usual problems mixed in. And one of the major benefits to me was working with a bunch of highly skilled teachers. One key to survival is to avoid the overly negative crowd... ignore them as much as you can. (learn to smile, nod, and move away... )

Keep your eye on the prize... a change... an interesting experience... the chance to save some money...

VS

[kmarbar]

Hi VS
thanks for the very informative and not so negative info. Very helpful and has enabled me to breath a little sigh, everthing seemed to be screaming "what the hell you doing??? Are you stupid???" Read the forums.
I did have a read but thought that I should take the plunge and find ut anyway.

I really hope I'm not relocating my family to some kind of miserable life? I hpe to have time with my family and hope also that my husband will be able to find work?? Any advice on that front?
thanks

[Sheikh N Bake]

Well...I stand by my assessment of Ras al Khaimah, but won't say anything specific about RAK Women's College; others are better-informed about that particular campus. If the salary is good enough, who cares about the town; Dubai is just 50 minutes away by car! I scoot over there for long weekends sometimes from Saudi now that we have a direct flight from our rather remote airport, where I also work. Very convenient and I still love the FOOD, the FUN of Dubai, the great hotels! The shopping! Want real maple syrup? (Probably not but you get my point. Just the traffic isn't fun.

I wasn't really suggesting you look for work in Saudi--I suppose I was bragging a little. Universities don't pay that well in KSA; I teach army officers.

[kmarbar]

Hi SnB
always good to hear about experiences and get feedback so thanks so much. Brag away, it's nice to feel good about where you work and you still get to travel back so that's great. It's so good to get feedback from expats, who know the life and the areas so I always appreciate any feedback.

Hoping that RAK will be nice in terms of stuff for us and our toddler, without the chaotic traffic and big city life of Dubai, but still with the benefit of being close.

Maple syrup is lovely but I'd probably be more excited at getting Heinze Baked Beans and my new health fave fry light

I'll keep asking about the childcare in the hope someone might get back to me on it. Thanks to all again for the info, all very helpful. Have a lovely weekend Kx