Job Discussion Forums

[greatminds]

Just got an offer and was wondering how the teaching load is and if it is an enjoyable place. Have read the debate on the air quaility so I am undecided and maybe will wait for other offers. Any comments?

[Paradiselost]

JUC is run by the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, a very large government enterprise that administers economic development in Jubail and Yanbu. You will have to get used to all the endless paperwork, the seemingly purposeless administrative procedures, the snail pace bureaucracy, and the general lack of discipline, diligence, and "don't care" attitude of the local administrative staff. They will be your masters and you, their subject. They love to see you beg and they do that by slowing your paperwork or by simply losing it and by not taking responsibility for their work. You will generally be blamed for what they did wrong.
The teaching load is 20 hours/week as an instructor (18 if you are a lecturer, only possible by your having a MA or PhD in English), although some people have been known to work as much as an additional 10 hours of "overtime", paid at 60 Riyals/hour. The going rate for private work outside of the school is 150 Riyals.
The air quality is questionable as occasionally there is the smell of ammonia on the air and dust from dust storms. But air quality is not a problem. The locals are the problem. The teacher turnover rate is very high, specially for a university. Teachers get fed up and simply don't come to work again. The Royal Commission admin system has a lot of levels and a lot of bosses and is nearly impossible to get anything done that benefits you in any way. Last year even the English dept. manager left without warning. After that, a smear campaign was started to damage his reputation.
The King promised a bonus to be given to all government employees, but only the Saudi teachers got it. The RC left the expats out. Other Universities and even private banks gave bonuses.
JUC has been operating out of modular units comparable to those used at temporary work sites. The "building" has been under construction for the last five years at a nearby site and so far only the land has been cleared. You will never teach inside a real building.
The students are HS grads who have never had a native English teacher, are very undisciplined, disinterested, unmotivated, and often do not bring pens or notebooks to class, but only their TWO mobile phones to use as toys as the teacher attempts to get the student's attention. There are no entrance exams. They will take anybody as a student as they just want to show numbers. JUC is not an accredited Univ.
Note that Jubail is an industrial town. Life there is very very dull. The next reasonable city, Al-Khobar, is more than two hours away by car.
You will pay for your work permit and visas. If you purchase your incoming air ticket, it may take 3-6 months to get it refunded, and only after writing several letters and calling a lot of people.
Why work there? Some people make less in their home country, others have responsibilities and need to make the sacrifice.
Try to read a about others say on JUC, and in general about Saudi Arabia, as most websites with useful information, or BLOGS such as this one, are internet censored and not available for view. The locals DO have a very closed mentality.

[Middle East Beast]

On the plus-side, Jubail does have a cool-looking Chinese restaurant on the Corniche. It's shaped like a Pirates of the Caribbean era ship.

Or they did have it--I haven't been there in years.

Good luck making your decision.

MEB

[greatminds]

Thanks for the replies.

I have already decided to work there....I got a good package and it is a better offer than I got from other places so I am ok with it. I realize the social environment is like that but I have met some others who have lived in Jubail and they liked it. Of course they were on a compound.

I have been reading these blogs and all but still no one has spoken about the actual size of the studios we are to live in......we also have a choice to find our own accommodation for the price of three months salary.

Really, how bad can it be? This sounds so much like other Arab countries.

[veiledsentiments]

Just a quick note... this isn't a "blog" but a discussion board.

VS

[Middle East Beast]

[greatminds]

wow, wonder if i should rethink this? But, is it the same for the women? Isnt their campus better or are both still in modules? Can the female teachers walk to their offices? That would save on transportation costs.

[veiledsentiments]

Two problems could come up with walking...

First off you are swathed in black unbreathable fabric on top of your clothes when it is 40+C outside and walking a half block is a major burden.

Second is that you will draw heaps of unwanted unpleasant attention.

It is NOTHING like life for a female in any of the other Gulf countries where there are no restrictions.

VS