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cmp45
Joined: 17 Aug 2004
Posts: 1475
Location: KSA
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 Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 3:07 am Post subject: |
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| dutchman wrote: |
| cmp45 wrote: |
on the negative side...your age and limited experience.
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Why does age matter? Do you mean he is too young for a TEFL job in the Gulf, or is it the question of what he did previously if he only has 1 year experience? |
I wouldn't recommend Saudi Arabia to any 20 something person with or without ESL experience. However, if said person is gung -ho on going then by all means go...most institutes base one's salary on the number of previous years experience. Add that to the fact KSA is not an ideal place for a young teacher....you would know what I am tallking about, if you had spent anytime there. |
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Never Ceased To Be Amazed
Joined: 22 Oct 2004
Posts: 3500
Location: Shhh...don't talk to me...I'm playin' dead...
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| Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 3:26 am Post subject: |
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cmp:
I think that yer jes' tryin' to protect yer job by scaring people off! 
NCTBA |
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cmp45
Joined: 17 Aug 2004
Posts: 1475
Location: KSA
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| Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 1:14 pm Post subject: |
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I dooooon't thinks so...there are plenty of opprotunities, if one isn't too choosy. If any 20 something person wants to come to KSA all the power to them. In my humble and sincere estimate the country is NOT the greatest for recreation and freedom of expression that most youngsters in that age bracket are used to... 
Boredom and loneliness may play into it as well...again this may not be true of all young people and certainly many older ones do not handle KSA well either so...any one up for a game of crap shoot ????
'IF' the person is teaching at college level, then the students will be at the same age or older...this in itself will be a challenge to any young teacher.
If the person can handle the insidious antics of administration and the constant needling students...with out throwing a hissy fit...come on down or over (depending on yer current location!!!!!) |
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Cleopatra
Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago
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| Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 1:26 pm Post subject: |
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I dunno. As I said on another thread, while it's usually said that older people with families are better suited to KSA, in my experiences it's often the 20 somethings who make a better go of life here. Perhaps that's because - to generalise - they have less 'baggage' and are more open to new experiences?
And let's not assume that all 20 somethings are party animals. Sure, an unmarried young person with no kids is likely to have more time and possibly more inclination to socialise than those with families, but that doesn't mean everyone under the age of 30 is all about nightlife and parties. We should also bear in mind that by no means everyone over the age of 35 is married with kids. Besides, as I've also said before, a fairly active social life can be had in KSA, if you know where to look.
Also, given the current trend for employers to cut back on family benefits, perhaps the idea of KSA as a good destination for families needs to be revised. |
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cmp45
Joined: 17 Aug 2004
Posts: 1475
Location: KSA
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| Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 1:48 pm Post subject: |
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| Cleopatra wrote: |
| ...doesn't mean everyone under the age of 30 is all about nightlife and parties. Besides, as I've also said before, a fairly active social life can be had in KSA, if you know where to look. |
I tend to agree with your statement; however, having a social life in KSA is very different than having one in most other countries....to begin with certain types of 'socializing' needs to be done in a very discreet manner. Socializing in KSA can be risky and down right dangerous, if one is not careful. Granted age may not necessarily be the key factor here, but maturity of mind is usually associated with age...not always, but usually...
Of course not every young teacher is up to no good, but without a solid sense of self and a commonsense regard for the country's rules of conduct one could easily be led astray. Again this is true for anyone. I just think younger ones tend to be more vulnerable/ susceptible to external influences. Just my old age opinion.... |
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Cleopatra
Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago
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| Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 2:31 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| I tend to agree with your statement; however, having a social life in KSA is very different than having one in most other countries....to begin with certain types of 'socializing' needs to be done in a very discreet manner. Socializing in KSA can be risky and down right dangerous, if one is not careful. Granted age may not necessarily be the key factor here, but maturity of mind is usually associated with age...not always, but usually... |
I dunno. In my time in KSA, I've known a lot of people who've got in trouble - sometimes quite seriously - but most have been in their 30s, 40s and sometimes older. Of course, given that most teachers in KSA do tend to be older than your average TEFL-er, that little piece of anecdotal evidence may not mean much.
I think that, after getting the feel for the place and making a few (hopefully minor) mistakes, most people grasp the basic rule of life in KSA: namely, what happens on the compoud stays on the compound. Some don't, of course, but in my experience at least, I've not found age to be a major factor. It's more to do with attitude rather than age.
Also speaking of age and socialising: if anything, the type of socialising which - sterotypically at least - is more likely to appeal to younger people (ie parties with lots of drink and loud music) is quite easy to find in KSA if you meet the 'right' people. Older people in search of a more 'sophisticated' social life are going to have a lot more difficulty finding it in KSA. |
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cmp45
Joined: 17 Aug 2004
Posts: 1475
Location: KSA
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| Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 2:53 pm Post subject: |
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Age be dammed...anyone venturing in to KSA do so at their own risk  |
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Valaki
Joined: 17 Aug 2010
Posts: 85
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2010 5:09 pm Post subject: |
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I asked this employer (who gave the offer) how much thinking time I have and he's not replying to my emails anymore.
I told him there are some 'cultural factors' I haven't considered.
Maybe he reads this forum?! |
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Otterman Ollie
Joined: 23 Feb 2004
Posts: 1067
Location: South Western Turkey
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| Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 10:24 am Post subject: |
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Hey Valaki, maybe you could pm me his address, so I could try my hand!
I was twenty something a long time ago and I have a fair bit of exp as does my lady, perhaps between us we can score a decent gig! |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 1:13 pm Post subject: |
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| I was a mere 23 when I firts came to KSA. I remember it well. Don't do it. Leave all the jobs to old f@#$S like me ! |
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Valaki
Joined: 17 Aug 2010
Posts: 85
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 3:59 pm Post subject: |
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Hehehe... thanks for the tip Scot.
I'm sorry to say that after invading the UK we Central/Eastern Europeans are turning towards the Middle East.
Just kidding, but you know if I'm staying in ESL (haven't even started lol) I can't imagine myself anywhere else. Japan is too weird for me. |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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| Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 4:27 pm Post subject: |
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Dear Valaki,
Let me get this straight: Japan is too weird for you, but the Middle East isn't?
Now THAT'S weird.
Regards,
John |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 6:37 pm Post subject: |
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| Japan IS weird. The fact is that we have more in common culturally with the Middle East than we do with subjects of the Emperor ! |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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| Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 7:38 pm Post subject: |
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Dear scot47,
Maybe so, but I felt less of an outsider and more - how can I put it - contemporary, maybe - when I was in Japan than I ever did in the Kingdom.
Regards,
John |
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Valaki
Joined: 17 Aug 2010
Posts: 85
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 3:05 pm Post subject: |
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The fact is that we have more in common culturally with the Middle East than we do with subjects of the Emperor !
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I've lived in Japan and this my conclusion as well. |
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