Job Discussion Forums

GabeKessel · Joined: 27 Sep 2004 Posts: 150

With a BA, it is about $20,000- $26,000 a year. With an MA it is $28,000- $38,000. The jobs that pay $40,000-55,000 a year are advertised allright ,but there are 25+ qualified applicants for each job. At least.

$24,000 a year in Japan is not the same as $20,000-$24,000 in Saudi. In Saudi you get a free apartment and free utilities and a ticket (s) paid. Also, Saudi is cheap. Very cheap. You can live on $500 a month and even less if the employer pays for your food. Japan is very expensive and they do not pay your rent as a rule. There is even an income tax there.

Teaching in Saudi is easier and less stressful than in Japan. And you can easily save $10,000- $12,000 even with a small salary.

Good luck saving in Japan.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

GabeKessel, I will have an M.A. soon and then I will teach for one year in South America to get some experience but after that I plan to come to KSA if I can find a good job. You said that the average salary with an MA is $28,000- $38,000. So is it possible to earn extra money in KSA. I would like to save as much as possible and am willing to work a lot. Is it possible to teach at a college during the day and then at a private school at night. I know some people in Japan who work a lot of hours and earn a lot of money (privates, part-time jobs, etc.). Is it possible to do this in KSA?

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Technically in Saudi it is illegal to work for anyone except your employer who sponsored you to come here.

Lots of people do teach in 2 or more places. You can earn more that way but it is very tiring. A young man's game !

But it is good to keep fit so you can dodge the bullets from the crazies.

GabeKessel · Joined: 27 Sep 2004 Posts: 150

It is possible but as Sco47 has mentioned it is technically illegal as well. Many teachers do it, though. They work for one school and then at night they go and teach at other small schools. It can be done in a place like Jeddah or Riyadh which are big cities and no one cares about what you do at 6 pm. It also helps if you have an apartment as far away from your employer as possible and he does not know where you hang out at night.

It is not likely that someone will follow you to the other school or that the immigration will have a sting operation there.

Some employers do not care if you do that and some do.

However, if you live on a compound of your school or live anywhere near, some expats may squeal on you. Not to the immigration but to your employer.

So play it by ear. I would count on the 25-30% possibility that you may be able to do it.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

Bebsi · Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 958

When looking at KSA...yes, generally speaking it is the best for paying in the Gulf....you must not look at the cash salary only. There are many factors to be taken into account, such as employer reputation, accommodation, perks, distance from home to work, and length of holidays.

I, and a number of others, have posted at length on this subject in the Saudi Arabia forum. Look in the most recent half-dozen or so postings.

Good luck in KSA. If taken from the right angle, it can indeed be a great experience.

GabeKessel · Joined: 27 Sep 2004 Posts: 150

With an MA you get about $30,000-44,000 a year. With a BA- some $28,000-33,000. But keep in mind that they provide housing ( Japan does but generally you may have to pay for it) and the cost of living is very low in Saudi- you can live quite well on $500 a month, and also, there is no tax. Japan does have a tax - maybe 8-10% of your pay.

Everything in Saudi is cheap so you can save. They also give you free vacation tickets. Japan usually doesn't. It also costs a lot to live there.

As a result, in Japan you generally save $500-800 a month and in Saudi- $1000-2000+ a month.

Saudi is boring for young and adventurous people, but for the 40+ crowd it is ideal.

Anytime now · Joined: 29 Apr 2005 Posts: 59

What an interesting place. Low work ethic, high salary, free flights. Sounds like a good place lay low until American politics changes hands again.

Albulbul · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 364

KSA is supercool. Where else would a 59-year-old loser get free accommodation, US$3000 a month and free tickets for doing not very much ?

abufletcher · Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 7:21 pm Post subject:

Hmm..I think I'm starting to look forward to being a loser someday. In fact, I'm wondering why I didn't start being one sooner!

Actually, I started my career as a young loser in Saudi Arabia (ever hear of Khamis Mushyat?) but wasn't there long enough to truly bask in my newfound loserhood. All too soon I was off chasing after a "career" in EFL which has sadly now landed me in a tenured professorship in Japan. But oh how I long for those carefree days in Saudi!

PS. I'll only be 50 next fall and still have a full head of hair. Do you think that could be a liability in applying for a position? I do have a bit of a gut though, if that will help.

abufletcher · Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 3:28 pm Post subject:

What happened to the comment suggesting that I might be "loser material?" It was the highpoint of my day! Very Happy

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Yup. When I was described as a 'loser' on this forum I knew that I had made it !

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

scot47 and abulfletcher, I hate to spoil your day.... but you're my heroes Cool

abufletcher · Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2006 9:52 am Post subject:

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397