Job Discussion Forums

[VijayPatankar]

Dear Friends,

My background

I live in Australia. I am Indian by origin and hold a Australian citizenship. I am married to a westerner and have a ten year old son.

My qualifications - MA (TESOL) + CELTA + EAP and ESL teaching experience of 18 months at University of New South Wales in Sydney.

I had to cut short my employment at UNSW to complete MA (TESOL).

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I have been short listed for a teaching position (EAP/ESL) by InterLink for their TVTC project.

I am requesting information on three areas

1) Has anyone dealt with InterLink and worked for TVTC projects in Saudi?

2) I have been asked to nominate where I wish to work (4 options). I have never worked or visited Saudi, therefore I need help with this part.


Buraidah
Ha'il
Khamis Mushayt
Al Ahsa

3) which of the above cities are more relaxed for a western spouse?
I know laws in Saudi towards women and men are very strict.

I am looking for a (less busy) quiet place, preferably where it would be more easier for my wife to get around and manage herself, without having to be chaperoned.

Women in particular (as I understand) are more restricted in their social movements.

I also have a ten year old son who will be accompanying us, so we need to consider his schooling.

Thank you in advance and I look forward to your feedback.

Warm regards
VP

For those who wish to offer their feedback outside this forum, they may contact me via - [email protected]

[freesoul]

Al Ahsa is very quiet and cheap. It is very close to Bahrain and the UAE. Don't miss visiting Qara Mount there.

[It's Scary!]

[Betrayer of Hope]

Al Ahsa is a nice quiet place. It is mostly farm land if I'm not mistaken. You should be able to save a reasonable amount over there. Also you will be just over an hour drive away from Dammam and Khobar.

[geela]

VijayPatankar,
I got email with similar cities. Which recruiter are you going through?
I asked for Hail. Were are you headed?

[George Muresan]

Don't lose out, sounds like a good opportunity to me.

[johnslat]

Dear VijayPatankar,

"I have been asked to nominate where I wish to work (4 options). I have never worked or visited Saudi, therefore I need help with this part.


Buraidah
Ha'il
Khamis Mushayt
Al Ahsa "

Of course, one problem is that your "nomination" may be disregarded should teachers be needed more in one or more of the other places.

Regards,
John

[desertdawg]

Sorry to be negative, but I think schooling would be a problem at any of those locations.

Good luck

[yrsammit]

Been waiting for more threads about Interlink. Last year the TVTC program was run [to the ground] by Ejad Al-Sharq. They screwed up so royally that the contract was given to Interlink this time.

I'm not coming back, but several of my coworkers from Ejad will be. This program is now in 8 locations by the way. I'm guessing Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam are fully staffed.

If you have specific questions about TVTC I can answer. It was a tumultuous year though for everyone involved.

The academic coordinator in Al Ahsa last year was a man named Morgan C*****n. If he is the returning AC for Ahsa, I must highly recommend that you do not go there. The horror stories from the teachers in Al Ahsa are some of the worst I've heard from Saudi, and most of them revolved around Morgan. Just imagine a completely incompetent, hard-headed, vindictive, company yes-man who has complete authority over his subordinates, with literally zero accountability. Only three teachers made it to the end of the contract period in Ahsa, when maybe 15 or so went through there during the year.

[scot47]

Al Ahsa (vulge - Al-Hasa) is much better as a location thnan those other places. I knbow nothing of the institutions in these places but can assure you that you will be in for some surprises. Are you taking your family with you ? What about educational allowances and available schools ?