Job Discussion Forums

[Middle East Beast]

[Chailocks]

...they are full of "funniness" and there are good times to be had there. The students are "full of life" and also can be clever and full of "funniness." If you are a clever instructor, they love to have fun and learn and take very well to grammar games The Marooj Compound for women is none too fancy, but it's nice enough if you don't mind sharing kitchen, living room, and bathroom (4 bdrm townhouses surrounding a courtyard). They have an awesome swimming pool and workout room! There also are single studios available in residential hotels (my experience).

It's located in a peaceful neighborhood (near some of the more high-end Saudi homes) that is a short walking distance to a main street, taxis, and !!!MALLS!!!

AETG staff is so friendly and wonderful. If you go with a great attitude, you are sure to find the job enjoyable. They do take care of you as best as they can.

I just finished one year with the company.

[DeApple]

The fact of the matter is the swimming pool is awesome if there is no more than 2 teachers swimming (not even 10 metres) The compound had 100 and at times we were 4 teachers in one villa, 3 sharing one bathroom for over a year. Most gym machines were out of order because of flooding in Spring 2010 and were only replaced after 16 months. We had a tred mill, again for over 100 teachers , then the row was never fixed (only one).

Most of us, or at least the lucky ones, went to friends compounds to have a decent swim.

I have the feeling you are one of the acolites advertising for them

[Middle East Beast]

Thanks, DeApple. Sounds like living conditions are deplorable.

MEB

[teacup05]

Apologies for sounding critical of my colleagues, but if you consider 3 people sharing one bathroom constitutes "deplorable" living conditions you might consider the possibility that you're a little spoiled. In the U.S. my living conditions are worse than this. I share one bathroom with 3 others in a 3 bedroom house -- and that's a step up from where I used to live! (At my present residence there are no cockroaches though -- but I see them in restaurants here and haven't died from them yet.)

[veiledsentiments]

I would consider it both deplorable and unacceptable. Other than when I lived with my parents in the 1960s, never did I share a bathroom with any unrelated, unknown persons (strangers chosen for me by some employer??) ... never would... and never will. Not in the US, nor in any other country.

The number one thing that meant that I wouldn't even apply for an education job in the Gulf was if it said "shared housing."

VS

[Middle East Beast]

[DeApple]

It is not a question or being spoilt but of having certain hygiene standards, in case you�ve forgotten Hepatitis A happens because the lack of it.

When we are young were more inclined to share, even though I personally never did when I was a pretty poor students travelling throughout Europe but as you grow older and have a family it is a "NO" can�t do for a lot of people. That was my first and I�ve made sure that it will be the last.

As a curiosity about standards, a large number of colleagues changed their bed sheets and unpacked when they were going on holidays - every two + months, some have their clothes all over the floor, used one abaya for the whole academic year which, btw, was never washed (I can still remember it perfectly to this day) etc., so you can imagine the effort some put into cleaning shared or communal areas !

[geela]

DeApple,
Would you kindly answer couple of questions for me.
Does AETG pay on time?
What area in Riyad do they have their apartments?
Worse case how many hours per week can one expect?
Finally, if they put some hours and benefit in the offer letter does that mean anything? can they require stuff outside of what's agreed upon in the offer letter.
I appreciate your input.

[veiledsentiments]

[DeApple]

Geela

VS is absolutely right and actually a contract is wet paper, let alone an Offer of Employment.

They pay overtime but is not worth the time and headaches to have it signed and they can change your schedule anytime anywhere (including split shift). Things can change in 30 minutes or less very quickly.

It seems as though you�re willing to take the risk so yes, they pay on time 90% of the time - monthly salary but if you are due visa refunds or any other expenses it can take up to two months or never - quite a few of us left without visa expenses paid or even hospital bills (emergency). Mind you, their comprehensive insurance covers basically nothing (if you read it through) you are totally at their mercy and if you are a westerner, non muslim that does not care about getting brownie points..... well, you are really out of luck I�ve seen very strong people giving up out of frustration, including very smart, dedicated and professional teachers.

Female compound is in the centre of Riyadh, you�ll have to share with smokers, crokroaches, and a large % or weirdos who�s only purpose in life is to use the people around them.

If you make it through the first six months, you shall be all right

[Commenter]

Oh my, the cynicism is so nauseating.

[Middle East Beast]

[johnslat]

Dear Commenter,

Ever been to Saudi? If so, may I ask where you worked and for how long?

Regards,
John

[Commenter]

Hi John,

I'm sitting in Riyadh as I type this very message, and I've been here since October 2010.