Job Discussion Forums

sirius black · Joined: 21 Nov 2011 Posts: 41

No offense to the members of this thread but scjw, generally speaking you will hear more bad things sometimes moaning (again no offense) far more than great experiences on these various teacher forums.

Korea is probably the best place to work all things considered (lifestyle, pay, etc.) and if you read the Korea section you'd think it was hell on earth.

The people with good experiences aren't posting nearly as much. They are just going along enjoying their lives and may post about something innocuous like where do I find this and that.
I'm well aware the bad and am mentally preparing myself for it. However, logic dictates that if so many folks have been here for so long it can't be as bad as some of these posts I read say they are. I work in Korea at a great job, great set up and I hear people complain and if you asked both of us you'd get two different answers.

I read about the drawbacks of one schoo on another forum in another ME country and after I heard the details of these issues, I was scrtaching my head about why it was such a big deal. It is to some and I don't want to minimize someone's issues but to others it may not be a big deal at all.

I'll pm you the persons info.

ellethom · Joined: 29 Sep 2011 Posts: 39 Location: Wherever I May Roam

sirrius...

Can you pm me the info as well? I have lurked on here for a while and i can agree with everything SB has to say, it seems to come down to individual tolerance as well as attitude.

I have had jobs in America that are horrible and i would never work for again. But, at the same time, there were those who loved it. I am preparing to go to Saudi as well, and i have read a LOT of the posts on this board. I am in a state of constant amazement at the amount of complaints that are posted with so little positive to say. All I can say is to take everything you hear with a grain of salt, you know what you can handle from prior experience.

I am excited about working in KSA, if for nothing else than the experience.

BretHarte · Joined: 17 Aug 2011 Posts: 94

The ability to walk away from a job in the US (and anywhere else in the world) could be something you'll miss when you start work in the Kingdom.

scjw · Joined: 31 May 2011 Posts: 19 Location: USA

ellethom,

I can't PM you. You don't have enough posts in the forum. I would like to know more about your recruitment experience.

teechagimme · Joined: 29 Dec 2010 Posts: 56 Location: S. Korea

I too am a female newbie. I've got an interview Tomorrow with Footprints recruiting and they have a good reputation in Korea. Does anyone have experience using them for a position in KSA?

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

johnslat · Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:08 am Post subject:

I have been informed (by a reliable source) that Footprints, which I believe does have a good rep in Korea and China, is, however, in Saudi only as a "subcontractor" for the "contractor" EdEx (the so-called Education Experts.)

Be very cautious.

Regards,
John

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

After years and years of reading this board... and talking to ex-teachers from Saudi, few have much good to say about the place. Especially those who have limited credentials and experience.

Of course, many of the rants are over the top... and you can often see why this or that person may have had problems, but even if 50% of the complaints are valid, it means that this is a country with an excess of jobs with very bad conditions. And it is a country that can be very hard to get out of...

So... buyer beware...

VS

ultraman111 · Joined: 17 Sep 2011 Posts: 148

It's Scary! · Joined: 17 Apr 2011 Posts: 823

AHHH-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!!!!!

It's a gonna be an eye-opening experience!

teechagimme · Joined: 29 Dec 2010 Posts: 56 Location: S. Korea

What are some good questions to ask?

scjw · Joined: 31 May 2011 Posts: 19 Location: USA

-What types of qts. should newbies ask during an interview?

-Are there specific qts. single expat females need to ask?
For example, how do i get around the city to buy groceries, cloths, or household items if I need to be unaccompanied by a male member of my family which I won't have????[/size]

It's Scary! · Joined: 17 Apr 2011 Posts: 823

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

ellethom · Joined: 29 Sep 2011 Posts: 39 Location: Wherever I May Roam

SCJW i have received a lot of offers from a few different recruiters. I think that if you ask questions about your visa status, your accommodations, and what the employer expects of you, it will go a long way to make an informed decision.

Getting out of the country requires an exit visa, which can involve a letter stating that you owe no debts in KSA. You can have a hard time leaving the country if you cannot prove that you are free of any debt to anyone there.

This site is a great resource, but it is often hard to weed through the arrogant and conceited BS. Do your own research and make a decision that is right for you. There are plenty of other sites, books, and resources that can enlighten you to the culture.

Also there are a lot of people on this board who are pretty knowledgeable about what is the norm over there, just ignore the smug comments.