Job Discussion Forums

[windstar]

if the recruiter you talk about is bahwan or abdul majali, everybody says stay away.

[While I was out]

Have been approached by Bahwan but not Majali. What about CfBT, through teachanywhere.com?

[desertrat]

CECNE are also recruiting: [email protected]

As for whether a recruiter is to be avoided or not, there are some who say theyve had no problems and others who say its been a nightmare. I think its more about your owm expectations, your own ability to adjust and compromise. So if youre a stickler for rules and need babysitting then I wouldnt recommend any of them, but if youre reasonably independant, easy going and happy go lucky then by all means use em to get your foot in the door.

[While I was out]

If you had to choose between one of these towns, for a technical college job, which one would you recommend?

Nizwa, Ibra, Ibri, Musanaa or Shinas?

And for what reasons please?

[windstar]

"Nizwa, Ibra, Ibri, Musanaa or Shinas?"

Nizwa, as i hear, is good as a college but the town is small, it is 147 kms to muscat. Ibra is a small town but I have never heard people complaining about the college. Ibri does not have a college of technology but salalah does have. Ibri has a college on applied sciences. Musanaa should be the last option as everybody has decided to leave due to administrative staff's inability to handle the department. Shinas has a crowded student structure and close to dubai and far away from muscat. It is up to you to choose. I would not choose any of them unless I am desperate.

[While I was out]

Thanks Windstar. I'm not desperate, but I do want to work in the ME, while gaining experience, knocking out an MA and earning a reasonable salary. Now you might say the salaries aren't that good in Oman, but have you looked at the salaries in Europe for efl teachers?

Got to take into consideration all the little perks, tax free, rent free, travel allowance or soft loans(if it still exists)to buy a car.

[ETG]

Windstar, there is a College of Technology (Ministry of manpower) in Ibri, opened last year

[windstar]

thanks for the update. I thought there was a college of applied sciences in ibri.

[margaurina]

If you have a job with CFB T or Hawthorne, you will be in a remote area, in most cases and not in muscat. You at least have someone close to you, but as a single person, you tend to go stir crazy. Muscat is the place to do, and there are several forms of entertainment, shopping centres, movie houses, and outdoor activities, restaurants and hotels. Life is fairly simple. Don't expect life like in the UAE, where it is more western and quite frankly, I've found quite distasteful - too much money, too un-arab.

Your wife will need to join a womens group or she will go stir crazy. US and Brit embassy have women's groups and in time as you live there you will find other groups to join.

I lived there for three years and as a single person I found life there quite boring. But as a couple, I think it is much more livable.

[margaurina]

By the way, your salary is the base salary and other things are added to that. this covers running costs of your car, electricity and gas, and sometimes if at the university an additional allowance. You do save money if you try. I did and it was worth my three years there. Good experience. Get the job first! but take the advice of people who have written before me.

[While I was out]

Thanks Margaurina. I'm not expecting life like London or Paris. What if I get a job with CECNE, I will still be in the sticks, no? I expressed a preference for Salalah and Ibra, in my application. The wikipedia entries on them sound promising.

I'm not looking for a lot of nightlife anyway. I want to read, travel, visit the historical sites, learn some Arabic-or the local version and maybe play computer games . I also like to cook or eat out. Hmm, sounds like I should retire, I have no time for my pleasures if I get a job.

Good advice about joining a womens group, will help with making friends and opening up opportunities.

[lall]

[Duffy]

If you are worried about treatment for pre-existing conditions and speaking from experience, CfBT have better cover. Yes I agree with Lall, Salalah is a great place to be.

Duffy

[windstar]

As for CECNE, if you decide to leave at the end of your contract or if they decide to terminate on even baseless grounds, your july and august pays might be in danger and plus any other holdbacks, such as utility bill deductions. Also, you will have to pay some extra water and electricity bills when you arrive, because you will not find anybody to help you. Oman staff will tell you to call FN in Dubai, FN will tell you he takes care of UAE and it is not his business. Then, you will have to deal with a real estate agent to pay off all outstanding bills. Take it or not. There are people who always speak from their own experience. I would strongly suggest you contact the Ministry of Manpower directly, they already advertised on this forum or tefl dot com. Why deal with middlemen while you can do without them?

[boundforsaudi]

No. I don't think so. No ads from the ministry of manpower. No email addy on their website. Nothing. Gotta go through an agent. If you have contact info or an ad for direct hire, let's see it.