Job Discussion Forums

[flutterbayou]

HJH,

Neither Rustaq nor Sur are urban areas. Both are in the hinterlands.

You know, the questions you raise are openly addressed by your agent, Majali. I'm certain that he's told you that the allowances can be used as you please.

I think everyone here has given you good advice about going for an MA and since you haven't many years' experience, you might consider accepting an assignment where you have the advantage of working with an experienced faculty, from whom you'll gain lots of hands-on training on a day-to-day basis.

But these two assignments are pleasantly isolated.

[veiledsentiments]

[lotsa]

[veiledsentiments]

I never said that it isn't a fine place to live. I said that it barely qualifies as a city. It is a string of beads running down the ocean connected by a 6-8 lane highway. There is no 'center' or actual downtown... no transit system to speak of to connect them. It is tiny old original Muscat and Mattrah and Ruwi and Qurum and Madinet Qaboos and Al-Khuwair and etc on out almost to Seeb now...

I love the place, but it more like a line of villages than a city. Note that you said "councils" not council. When most Omanis refer to Muscat, they are referring to the Governate, not even the "metropolitan" area.

VS

[lotsa]

OK fair enough you were here for yonks, but you aren't now right? I disagree with your city non-city remark. Given you are the authority on Oman I guess from now on Muscat shouldn't be called a city. I'll pass that on. http://www.eng.umu.se/city/Fredrik/city/definition_of_the_word_city.htm refers.

[flutterbayou]

To the OP, HJH, might I add that Muscat has the major hotels and fine restaurants one would find in major cities and it has a significant nightlife for people who like that sort of thing.

I've found good shops and bookstores there and for people who want churches, well, they are there, too.

Public transport is amiss here but it isn't so great in Cleveland, Ohio, either - take my word for it. But I can tell you that renting a car was a breeze (just be sure to have an active license when you arrive).

From what experienced contributors write, let's gather that Muscat and Oman, in general, have developed considerably in recent years. As someone who visited here two years ago and then returned here this month, I can attest to noticeable change and growth.

What I have noticed, though, is that the smaller towns are more appealing to mature adults who are content to amuse themselves. Having satellite tv with western news coverage is good enough for me, as well as taking scenic drives and meeting people. Afterall, aren't we here to teach and experience the local culture?

I would say that Oman is suitable for teachers who don't miss western culture, but it is not without western comforts and amenities.

[denise]

And if you live within striking distance of Muscat--which I consider a charming, lovely, and thoroughly enjoyable city--small-town life is really quite tolerable. As flutterbayou mentioned, you may need to entertain yourself in the small towns, but really, with the salaries here we can easily afford satellite TV, internet, etc., to make our homes more entertaining. And then just head to Muscat for the weekend or even for the evening. (But that starting salary cited by the OP did seem low. I believe that people with BAs get 925 + housing where I work.)

d

[007]

[veiledsentiments]

[Duffy]

Some of our Dofhari students come from the "cities" of Shisr, Madinet Al Haq, Taqa, Mirbat, Hadbeen and Suddah amongst others. To them they believe that these(low populated by western standard,) areas are cities, who are we to argue with that mentality, ergo - it is all in the mind.

Duffy

[huntjuliehunt]

You guys are debating the cityosity of Muscat... I'm gonna get stuck in Sur or something.

The thing with me is, I can handle a small city with the RIGHT friend. But I'm not good at just being alone, alone, alone, so it's a big risk to venture off to the cornfields of Iowa. Or the _______ of Sur.

[veiledsentiments]

I would suggest that anyone who has problems being alone to avoid ALL the villages of Oman. The people who are able to cope happily with these places are those who are able to occupy themselves.

VS
(cityosity... good word )

[lotsa]

For the OP, Sur isn't such a bad place and there is oodles to do not just there but further afield from Sur. Depends also on what support you have from the establishment you will work with and to a certain extent the pool of other expats in the area. For me, I don't mix with expats - I'm in Oman so I mix with Omani's and i've seen a great deal of the fantastic places to see here, by courtesy of those Omani's.

Sounds like you are more used to larger areas, in which case Muscat could be the place for you if that comes up in the offer. There is certainly plenty to do in Muscat. There is a rather large establishment about 20mins drive from Lulu's Hypermarket and its called MCC (Muscat CITY centre). Its quite good for shopping. Plans are abound for another CITY centre establishment in the Qurum area where another Carrefour will be built.

Keep researching the net if you can, there are plenty of sites to see what facilities are available for the place you end up.

[temujinsky]

Old mate ... I am puzzled as to why you insert an apostrophe into the word Omanis. Surely no apostrophe is needed? Did you think that the singular Omani owned something? That the one Omani [if you meant a singular Omani] possessed something and you forgot to insert the possessed? As a teacher of English one would expect a similar line of erudition from other teachers of English. Maybe you are American?

[bje]