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2buckets
Joined: 14 Dec 2010 Posts: 515 Location: Middle East
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Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2016 3:47 pm Post subject: |
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It could take 20 minutes just to get out of your parking space and onto the road. And, it's only going to get worse. |
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danshengou
Joined: 17 Feb 2016 Posts: 434 Location: A bizarre overcrowded hole
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Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2017 7:24 am Post subject: |
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I would say for this gig, you need the required relevant experience and a desire to commute to Sharjah. A second MA in Rhet/Comp or Lit would help (in addition to the 2-year on-campus TESOL/App Ling one that many already have). The total post-MA experience should be 5+ years, probably closer to 8. Not sure what the pay is, but probably it's enough judging by the comments. For this amount of experience and quals though, it should be at least high-teens + very good benefits, private office, etc. If not, then I would seriously consider staying in the first world (i.e., not worth it). If strictly on-campus housing, that would be a definite no-go. |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA
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Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2017 4:09 pm Post subject: |
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Have you seen the on-campus housing? It is very nice... well furnished... with sat TV and internet. Certainly better than any of the rental units that I saw or lived in around the Emirates. (that were in a teacher's budget) With NO commute in the horrendous traffic around Dubai/Sharjah...
When one considers that this job comes with a better salary than one could get with even 2 or 3 MAs in the US (or the UK) for 90% of those in language or education... and it is tax free... one would have to be a fool to turn it down.
Perhaps if you are a tenured PhD, one should think a bit longer... LOL
VS |
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haziran
Joined: 26 Oct 2009 Posts: 23
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Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2017 2:26 pm Post subject: Housing at AUS |
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All this talk about commuting to and from Dubai is moot - ALL faculty are required to take the on-campus housing as part of the job. Very few (meaning those with tons of seniority, rank and maybe some good connections) ever get lucky enough to see a cash allowance that affords them to live off-campus.
That said, the on-campus housing is perfectly acceptable - certainly not lavish. The furniture is the weakest point - very drab, college dorm-roomy issue. You are free to pitch it all back at them and re-furnish it yourself, which many of the long-term faculty do over the long term. If you come with a large family (spouse and 2+ kids) you will get a villa with backyard and maid's quarters. Single folks get a 1-bedroom flat with no balcony. Not really fair but that's the deal. The best thing one can say about it is that it is all absolutely, 100% free, and if anything ever goes wrong (even down to a light bulb blowing out) you simply send an email and it is repaired in a matter of hours.
As VS said, it's the best job in the region. If you can stomach on-campus living, it just may be your very own paradise in a fishbowl. Many of us, though, yearn for a freer, more dynamic living situation. Hey, it's the Gulf - since when is anything perfect?
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danshengou
Joined: 17 Feb 2016 Posts: 434 Location: A bizarre overcrowded hole
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Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2017 3:12 pm Post subject: Re: Housing at AUS |
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Being forced to live on campus sounds like it would get old really quick, and the furniture and quality of the flats is another issue. Finally, there is living in Sharjah itself, which doesn't seem that great either. Just curious, since Sharjah is a dry state, can one have alcohol in their on-campus flat? |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA
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Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2017 4:18 pm Post subject: |
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Of all the negatives one encounters in the Gulf, the lack of privacy of on-campus living, would be waaaay down at the bottom of my list.
When one considers that it erases any commute in the horrible Dubai/Sharjah traffic and even better, gets rid of dealing with nasty landlords and the plethora of deposits and hassles that the UAE has piled on renters... I would put it on the top of my list of positives.
I've lived on and off campus around the Gulf, and 'on' is certainly my preference.
VS |
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haziran
Joined: 26 Oct 2009 Posts: 23
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Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2017 4:20 pm Post subject: Re: Housing at AUS |
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danshengou wrote: |
Being forced to live on campus sounds like it would get old really quick, and the furniture and quality of the flats is another issue. Finally, there is living in Sharjah itself, which doesn't seem that great either. Just curious, since Sharjah is a dry state, can one have alcohol in their on-campus flat? |
Obtaining booze isn't a problem as Ajman is right next door. |
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dragonpiwo
Joined: 04 Mar 2013 Posts: 1650 Location: Berlin
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Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2017 4:26 pm Post subject: urgh |
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It's the living around my colleagues that would do my nut. |
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haziran
Joined: 26 Oct 2009 Posts: 23
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Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2017 4:33 pm Post subject: Re: urgh |
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dragonpiwo wrote: |
It's the living around my colleagues that would do my nut. |
There are some good peeps here. We hang. But yeah, my preference would still be to live elsewhere. I'm not put off at all by the prospect of a 30-minute commute from Dubai - which can be as little as 20 minutes if you live in Mirdif, a nice and not-too-pricey community right on the border with Sharjah. But it's all hypothetical as housing allowances are simply not awarded enough to even be considered an option. Sigh. |
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danshengou
Joined: 17 Feb 2016 Posts: 434 Location: A bizarre overcrowded hole
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Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2017 8:38 pm Post subject: Re: Housing at AUS |
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haziran wrote: |
danshengou wrote: |
Being forced to live on campus sounds like it would get old really quick, and the furniture and quality of the flats is another issue. Finally, there is living in Sharjah itself, which doesn't seem that great either. Just curious, since Sharjah is a dry state, can one have alcohol in their on-campus flat? |
Obtaining booze isn't a problem as Ajman is right next door. |
But it's permissible to imbibe at home (on campus)? |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA
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Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2017 2:48 am Post subject: |
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Of course... |
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Blackbear
Joined: 20 Jan 2013 Posts: 65
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Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2017 6:48 am Post subject: |
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A 1-hour drive away is RAK. You can drink at the shore at the Hilton beach Club. The RAK sailing Association is also a club where you can sail, soak up the sun and imbibe. Last time there we noted drinks were 17 AED for beer/wine). Folks from Dubai come there for week end sailing races. Pretty inexpensive as compared to Dubai.
Yes. as VS stated, it is fine to drink in private. The UAE is not restrictive as KSA. Besides, the booze shops are owned (51% possibly) by the various sheikhs/emiratis with lots of wasta. - so it makes financial sense to allow alcohol, BUT discretely. |
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helenl
Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202
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Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2017 6:50 pm Post subject: if desired you can join the Sharjah wanderers club |
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which is the only "pub" in Sharjah. It has a pool and other recreational facilities. It is considered a British "enclave" because the original airport was operated nearby by the Brits. The Sheikh gave them permission to operate a long time ago (or was it his father before him? I can't remember)
YOu can also get an alcohol permit in Sharjah which keeps you legal to buy in Ajman UAQ RAK or Dubai outlets which may (or may not) ask for proof of such. |
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Blackbear
Joined: 20 Jan 2013 Posts: 65
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Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2017 7:17 pm Post subject: |
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RAK does not require a permit for alcohol purchase. Neither does the Barracuda in UAQ. AFAIK. |
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danshengou
Joined: 17 Feb 2016 Posts: 434 Location: A bizarre overcrowded hole
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Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 5:18 am Post subject: |
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So how would singles navigate the dating scene living on campus? Best to date someone with their own place in Dubai and stay there? |
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