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eeliza13
Joined: 27 Dec 2008 Posts: 17
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Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2011 7:18 pm Post subject: Taking a chance at PNU. What's the compound like? |
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So I've read the many comments and concerns about PNU, but have had a good experience with my recruiter and want to move forward with an employment contract at PNU. No one, not even the recruiter, has been able to provide a concise description or photos of the PNU compound. ANYONE? |
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Middle East Beast

Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 836 Location: Up a tree
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Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2011 7:22 pm Post subject: Re: Taking a chance at PNU. What's the compound like? |
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eeliza13 wrote: |
No one, not even the recruiter, has been able to provide a concise description or photos of the PNU compound. |
I could be wrong, but you might consider that at least a warning flag.
MEB  |
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lynnknows
Joined: 17 Mar 2005 Posts: 153 Location: Here, there, everywhere
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Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2011 10:23 am Post subject: |
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The people I know that are working for PNU all work for different companies. They all live in different places. I dont think there is one place for PNU workers. I dont even think there is one set place for one company. People seem to be scattered around. |
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Redcar24
Joined: 26 Aug 2011 Posts: 57 Location: Al Hassa Saudi Arabia
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Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 4:39 pm Post subject: No compound??? |
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When I was there in September Adwaa was putting people up in hotels..
When you ask they say it is temporary but there is no such compound as they say... |
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eeliza13
Joined: 27 Dec 2008 Posts: 17
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Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 5:59 pm Post subject: Compound |
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"When I was there in September Adwaa was putting people up in hotels..
When you ask they say it is temporary but there is no such compound as they say..."
I was just told that I would be put up in at the Bzeen hotel in Riyadh until the new PNU compound is ready. Were you in the same hotel? |
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Redcar24
Joined: 26 Aug 2011 Posts: 57 Location: Al Hassa Saudi Arabia
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Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 6:20 pm Post subject: Bzeen Hotel |
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Yes that is the one....what compound???
I was told the compound was ready on September 6th with the keys to be handed over to Adwaa
Now it is October and on the way to November...and still yesterdays advert says the compound is ready.. |
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eeliza13
Joined: 27 Dec 2008 Posts: 17
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Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 6:31 pm Post subject: |
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Yes. I was told today that the PNU compound will be ready shortly, but in the meantime female and male teachers will be placed at the Bzeen.
Isn't it dangerous for single women to stay in hotels alone? I thought it was forbidden for single women to rent a hotel room without an escort/chaperon?
Staying in a hotel seems like it would add to feelings of isolation. No? |
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Redcar24
Joined: 26 Aug 2011 Posts: 57 Location: Al Hassa Saudi Arabia
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Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 6:46 pm Post subject: Good Luck! |
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Adwaa is making up a story to look good thats all it is....
Look at the post they all say the same thing! Oh I told the manager it was not good for single woman to be in any hotel without her passport... |
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lynnknows
Joined: 17 Mar 2005 Posts: 153 Location: Here, there, everywhere
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Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2011 2:42 am Post subject: |
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I personally know 9 people working for Adwaa right now. They are seem to like it. Yes, they are in a hotel. They are the only people I know that are still in a hotel. Its seems liek the other companies have moved their people into other flats until the PNU compound is ready. If yyou know anything about Saudi you would know that September can mean April. Time seems to be a strange concept for them inless it is THEM that wants something from you. Then it is NOW NOW NOW.
Four of the 9 people have been there over a month and they have been working on getting their visa processed for them. One person has their iqama and is working on bringing over her family. No one had an experience like the one I read on here. No one was made to hand over anything by force. They have all been paid on time. They have gotten everything they have been promised. A few of them took the allowance and found their own place.
It seems like you work for Adwaa but get paid by SBC. I am not there I am only telling you what I heard from other people. This is a new cmpany so you have to be careful. I would say that about almost every employer in Saudi. You are always at someones mercy when you live/work there.
good luck |
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eeliza13
Joined: 27 Dec 2008 Posts: 17
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Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2011 8:06 am Post subject: |
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Thank you for your reply. It sound like things have improved a bit for the new hires at PNU. Perhaps this company has learned a thing or two in recent months. |
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Fernwood
Joined: 19 Sep 2011 Posts: 33
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Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 11:43 am Post subject: |
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lynnknows wrote: |
I personally know 9 people working for Adwaa right now. They are seem to like it. Yes, they are in a hotel. They are the only people I know that are still in a hotel. Its seems liek the other companies have moved their people into other flats until the PNU compound is ready. If yyou know anything about Saudi you would know that September can mean April. Time seems to be a strange concept for them inless it is THEM that wants something from you. Then it is NOW NOW NOW.
Four of the 9 people have been there over a month and they have been working on getting their visa processed for them. One person has their iqama and is working on bringing over her family. No one had an experience like the one I read on here. No one was made to hand over anything by force. They have all been paid on time. They have gotten everything they have been promised. A few of them took the allowance and found their own place.
It seems like you work for Adwaa but get paid by SBC. I am not there I am only telling you what I heard from other people. This is a new cmpany so you have to be careful. I would say that about almost every employer in Saudi. You are always at someones mercy when you live/work there.
good luck |
Thanks Lynn. This is very reassuring...thank you.
I would think a hotel is much better than a compound, except you probably can't cook. But hotels may run a higher standard which may be more western friendly (I think).
Anyway, why wouldn't the teachers there in the same hotel who get picked up daily, just arrange to meet up and talk so they are not isolated? That's what I would do. |
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Fernwood
Joined: 19 Sep 2011 Posts: 33
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Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 11:47 am Post subject: |
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eeliza13 wrote: |
Yes. I was told today that the PNU compound will be ready shortly, but in the meantime female and male teachers will be placed at the Bzeen.
Isn't it dangerous for single women to stay in hotels alone? I thought it was forbidden for single women to rent a hotel room without an escort/chaperon?
Staying in a hotel seems like it would add to feelings of isolation. No? |
Eliza,
Maybe a good idea would be to partner up with another teacher (or 2) and take the housing allowance they offer, then find a flat so you won't have to be in the hotel. You may be able to get a better place for less and can pocket some of the allowance . Who knows???
But I've looked up the hotel and I wouldn't mind staying there for a month or two.  |
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veiledsentiments

Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA
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Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 1:49 pm Post subject: |
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The problem with hotels is that they get old... rather fast. You get sick of always eating out... and the lack of privacy... and they are usually noisy. Personally a month would be my max.
VS |
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Middle East Beast

Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 836 Location: Up a tree
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Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 2:42 pm Post subject: |
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I had to live in the Intercontinental Hotel in Taif for almost 5 months before my employer finally put us in a western compound. I got so sick of the food, the feeling of confinement, and the boredom.
I would run laps around the hotel property (which was a ways from the city). The streets behind the hotel were filthy, and in the middle of it I'd see Saudis next to their cars having "cookouts" in the middle of all the litter.
The Intercontinental Hotel in Taif doesn't cater to western standards. I'm not saying they should, just that they don't.
MEB  |
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PeterBar
Joined: 20 Jul 2006 Posts: 145 Location: La France profonde
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Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 3:30 pm Post subject: |
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MEB
Are you "the nutty jogger who caused the security alerts" at the BAe overflow compound next to the Taif Intercon?
Chapeau, mon vieux - that broke the monotony, I imagine.
And the Intercon menu is severely restricted. |
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