Job Discussion Forums

Asda · Joined: 01 Jun 2008 Posts: 231

I know a little bit about JKS, so allow me to throw in my 25 halalas (that's the lowest denomination coin I have seen, but I have heard there is a 5 halala coin, which there is a story behind...more on that later):

It's in quite a nice part of Jeddah. Believe me, there are some DUMPY parts which are comparable to parts of Africa!! It's quite north (the norther the better), yet still in pleasant residential surroundings, not quite in the compound zone the closer you get to the airport. Now, this means your clientele will be LOADED Arabs, vast majority Saudi. Unfortunately most of the kids will probably be spoilt brat$. No, mustn't generalise, OK, ASSUME they'll be as such.

Also, ASSUME they'll be arrogant and lazy. I tutored a kid whose sister goes to JKS and he needed some help in preparing for a test. It was basically reading his textbook with him and them ME writing up his condensed notes. At the time I was thinking "OK, if you wanna pay 200SR/hour for that, who am I to complain?!"- he was a 13 y.o. kid with quite a good level of English, obviously Americanised most likely due to their previous teachers and/or the TV they watch.

The head of the school is a Saudi lady who is meant to be quite professional (I am getting this info secondhand via my wife's cousin), very businesslike and educated in America I think. Oh yeah, there are CCTV cameras in classrooms linked to screens in her office so she can keep and eye on things, I imagine. Go figure!

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 1:28 pm Post subject:

Oh, joy! Where does the queue begin??? Rolling Eyes

NCTBA

elenai12 · Joined: 05 Nov 2006 Posts: 20 Location: NEW YORK

thank you, everybody for the input. I did not accept the offer and don't think I'd go for anything in ME - kind of scary to be without passport, needing "exit" visa and living in the kind of "macho" society... it was a pleasure talking to you.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 4:54 pm Post subject:

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Jeddah like all Saudi cities is a mix of rich and poor. This is not Scandinavia.

Asda · Joined: 01 Jun 2008 Posts: 231

Yes, but one has to admit that for a second city of quite a wealthy country, it has been rather neglected. Riyadh is the capital and heartland of the House of Saud. The East has all the luvley gooey black stuff underneath the ground. Jeddah has been left to the business people who came from Yemen, the Levante etc to be near Makkah and Madinah...

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Jeddah is a lively, friendly and cosmopolitan city whereas Riyadh is a dull, stern, dour Calvinist place.

johnslat · Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 4:43 pm Post subject:

Dear scot47,
So, when are you moving to that more congenial environment: Riyadh?
Very Happy

Regards,
John

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

But Johnslat, Riyadh has enough of that WITHOUT my presence. I see it as my responsibility to spread gloom and despondency in Eastern Province.

I shall shortly be making a slight geographical in a northerly direction.

johnslat · Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 5:12 pm Post subject:

Dear scot47,
Ah, so you have assumed the missionary position, so to speak. You're moving? I take it then that gloom and despondency have sufficiently permeated your present location. Well, blessings upon you, my son. Go forth and spread the seeds of dull, stern, dour Calvinism further. Never rest until smiles have been erased from every face and happiness (Bah, humbug!) has been utterly banished.
Regards,
John

Cleopatra · Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 5:47 pm Post subject:

I've always felt happiness and smiliness to be somewhat ovverated. As a certain Mrs. Doyle would say "Maybe I like the misery!'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mrs._Doyle

We Northern Europeans have always had a talent for the most sublime gloom. And a good thing it is too, I'd say!

johnslat · Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 6:49 pm Post subject:

Dear Cleo,
I can't say about you, but this northern European descendant has also had a talent for the most superb highs (non-drug induced - at least by ingested drugs), as well.
The deepest valleys complement the highest peaks.
Regards,
John
P.S. Maybe we're all manic-depressives?

Asda · Joined: 01 Jun 2008 Posts: 231

Dear Scott,

Jeddah is friendly, lively and cosmopolitan. However, it is also quite dirty (finding overflowing septic tanks is common and not unheard of in the north), it has water problems (shortages), terrible roads, quite a lot of traffic (tho I hear Riyadh is worse) and mad drivers (altho I hear the accidents are more low speed c.f. Riyadh due to their fast highway roads).

Also, if you have young children, all there is to do is to the little theme park rides within malls. OK, there is the beach, which is quite dirty unless you go to Obhur where it's considerably cleaner.

There is also very little to do in the way of attractions such as zoos, the parks don't have much grass on them, mainly paved concrete, sand and vandalised swings and slides etc.

I don't hate Jeddah, but I must confess that it is a dump. Rather like NYC of the 70s and early 80s. I hear Riyadh is cleaner, better maintained, has more modern-looking buildings and more attractions such as museums, zoos and proper parks (OK, nothing like Central Park in NYC or Hyde Park in my native London, but still). Also, either side of the winter, the weather is pleasant enough to go for walks.

The East is also meant to be clean and well maintained, better infrastructure but still a bit dull (or peaceful, whichever way you wanna look at it, I guess).

I hope to visit Riyadh and the East next academic year.

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 1:14 am Post subject: