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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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 Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2012 12:15 pm Post subject: |
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I think the OP's main concern is this:
"However I don't want to deal with this strange dual inferiority/superiority complex that is rampant among Koreans."
Umm, does that sound like a familiar attitude to any former/current teachers in the Kingdom?
I certainly does to me.
Regards,
John |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2012 12:33 pm Post subject: |
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| Oh, I agree, John. It's just odd that she's focused on the Kingdom, which is known for being ultra restrictive. That may open up a whole different can of worms for her in terms of tolerance and flexibility. (Worms are beneficial, by the way!) |
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lynnknows
Joined: 17 Mar 2005
Posts: 153
Location: Here, there, everywhere
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| Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2012 2:03 pm Post subject: |
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CORA,
I am a conservative Muslims woman and I found Saudi to be a bit much. Unless you are Muslim, have family there, are engaged to a man living there, or writing a book.....I WOULD NOT GO!!
Life there, like anywhere is what you make it. However, when there are tons of restrictions on HOW you can make your life fulfilling it kind of puts a damper on it.
MY issues with KSA we not the dress, or even being nothing to do. Mine was security. I think the law they have that does not allow women to drive is not only NOT from Islam but it is dangerous. I had to jump out of a taxi that was trying to drive me lord knows where, I had men follow me home, I had men pull up to a taxi I was in trying to get my phone number, I had taxi drivers ask me for sex. I can really go on. This is NOT anything I experienced anywhere else in the world.
I have a love hate thing going on with KSA. I want to be there ONLY because living in Jeddah I can go to Makkah often, I just find peace there. I feel in my life I as much peace as I can get. BUT trust me, if I were NOT Muslims I would NEVER go there........ |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2012 3:12 pm Post subject: Re: Attitudes of locals, natives |
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| coratheexplorer wrote: |
As for Saudia Arabia, I was offered a good job there. I don't have any teaching experience (except for what I'm doing now), am 50+ with a full head of white hair. Though I have excellent references, solid work history, and a respectable amount of higher education, I think those other factors have prevented me from getting the jobs I really had been hoping for.
Why do I want to go to the Middle East? I don't know how to answer that succinctly. So many reasons. It's just at the top of my list of places to live in and apply to when I think of doing work like this.... |
We were synchronized posting yesterday. 
Interestingly my 'interest' in the Middle East and knowledge thereof led me to teach in the ME for most of 16 years and I would put Saudi Arabia way down at the bottom of my list.
Your problem isn't your age, but your lack of experience and credentials. The reality is that in the Gulf region they are very demanding. The employers one would want to work for (decent pay/benefits... not abusive or total crooks) require either an MA + 2 or more years of related experience or an education BA + CELTA + a couple years of related experience. Do you have either of these options?
IMHO, any employer that would hire you in KSA is very likely to NOT be someone one would want to work for unless totally desperate for a pay check.
VS |
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coratheexplorer
Joined: 17 Feb 2012
Posts: 32
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| Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2012 5:57 pm Post subject: |
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| nomad soul wrote: |
| Oh, I agree, John. It's just odd that she's focused on the Kingdom, which is known for being ultra restrictive. That may open up a whole different can of worms for her in terms of tolerance and flexibility. (Worms are beneficial, by the way!) |
Worms are beneficial, I like that! Quite true isn't it.
I wouldn't say I'm focused on Saudi Arabia, just investigating it at the moment. |
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coratheexplorer
Joined: 17 Feb 2012
Posts: 32
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| Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2012 6:05 pm Post subject: Re: Attitudes of locals, natives |
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| veiledsentiments wrote: |
We were synchronized posting yesterday.
VS |
Indeed we were, thank you for your suggestions and insight. Very helpful.
Wow, 16 years. You must have a lot of stories to tell.
You mentioned Morocco. Heck yes, I'd love to go there! Haven't seen any ads for it recently. I would imagine they are overrun with traveler type teachers.
I'm working on an online TEFL right now. It's a good program, if I end up being as pleased by the end of it all as I am now I will spread the word about it. Or is that kind of thing not done here? Anyway still checking out the various options. Maybe just a vacation in Egypt is all I need. I have made some good friends here in Korea and they are encouraging me to stick it out for one more year. |
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coratheexplorer
Joined: 17 Feb 2012
Posts: 32
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| Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2012 6:14 pm Post subject: |
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| lynnknows wrote: |
CORA,
I am a conservative Muslims woman and I found Saudi to be a bit much. Unless you are Muslim, have family there, are engaged to a man living there, or writing a book.....I WOULD NOT GO!!
Life there, like anywhere is what you make it. However, when there are tons of restrictions on HOW you can make your life fulfilling it kind of puts a damper on it.
MY issues with KSA we not the dress, or even being nothing to do. Mine was security. I think the law they have that does not allow women to drive is not only NOT from Islam but it is dangerous. I had to jump out of a taxi that was trying to drive me lord knows where, I had men follow me home, I had men pull up to a taxi I was in trying to get my phone number, I had taxi drivers ask me for sex. I can really go on. This is NOT anything I experienced anywhere else in the world.
I have a love hate thing going on with KSA. I want to be there ONLY because living in Jeddah I can go to Makkah often, I just find peace there. I feel in my life I as much peace as I can get. BUT trust me, if I were NOT Muslims I would NEVER go there........ |
Very interesting, thank you for sharing your experience. I am not Muslim but I have great respect for Islam. I feel that I missed my calling in life to be a priest or pastor and spirituality is hugely important for me. I have always felt a strong draw to lands that are the spiritual centers of major (and minor) religions, I wish I could talk to you more, what is Mecca like for women? Do you travel there with female friends or family? Is it overly controlled or is there room for an authentic experience?
Very disturbing what you shared about street harassment in Saudi. What a topsyturvy world we live in. The country that goes to the greatest lengths to make itself spiritually pure just ends up bearing down on people's freedom so much that they act out worse than other places. (I have been reading similar testimonies from other women about S.A.)
Thank you again for your response, it is so great to hear different perspectives. I wish you peace and safety, Lynn!! |
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coratheexplorer
Joined: 17 Feb 2012
Posts: 32
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| Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2012 6:21 pm Post subject: |
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| cmp45 wrote: |
You may want to investigate Thailand. They have a pretty good reputation for plastic surgery. Despite the stereotype that many are only expert at sex reassignment more than anything else, if they can manage that they must be able to perform other types  However, that may only be an option, if you already had the extra cash. If you are seeking a country specifically to teach in to fund the surgery Thailand may take longer to reach the amount you need.
Another factor which may or may not be a consideration is dependant on your condition affecting your ability to teach. If it is not visually noticeable then it is just a matter of finding the right employer in the ME. KSA also has quite a few plastic surgery centers and with a job providing medical insurance you may be able to have the surgery paid for or partially paid for or not? The problem is finding a decent employer. Despite the warnings, you would probably survive KSA for a couple of years. I wouldn't strike it off your list completely, but it is totally unlike any place you have ever been before and would take some adjusting to the restrictions which upon arrival may seem rather extreme to begin with; obviously there are quite a few expat women working in KSA so I would say many of the restrictions are manageable (women have alot more restrictions than men).
Good luck. |
I would love to go to Thailand. (Brazil a possibility too) I appreciate your realistic insight that Saudi could be survivable if nothing else for a year or two.... |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2012 7:08 pm Post subject: |
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| Men, too are subject to sexual harrassment in KSA. Being propositioned by other men is a routine occurrence. |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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| Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2012 8:55 pm Post subject: |
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Dear scot47,
I was actually propositioned at the age of nearly 60 - which, in a weird sort of way, was kind of flattering  .
I fear, though, that desperation, rather than my Hollywood good looks, was the driving force.
I hope my turning the guy down wasn't TOO traumatic for him .
Regards,
John |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2012 7:57 pm Post subject: |
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| A colleague of mine (over 70 !) was given a lift by an affable elderly Saudi gentleman who then propositioned him in the car. |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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| Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2012 10:36 pm Post subject: |
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Dear scot47,
Some of us - a favored few - never lose it. SA in SA (i.e. Sex Appeal in Saudi Arabia) - it can be a curse.
Regards,
John |
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lynnknows
Joined: 17 Mar 2005
Posts: 153
Location: Here, there, everywhere
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| Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2012 1:21 am Post subject: |
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Scot47,
Yes, men and boys get sexually harassed. |
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lynnknows
Joined: 17 Mar 2005
Posts: 153
Location: Here, there, everywhere
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| Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2012 1:23 am Post subject: |
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Cora,
Feel free to PMm me anytime. I am sure these folks do not want to hear my personal religious experiences. LOL  |
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Grendal
Joined: 13 Aug 2009
Posts: 861
Location: Lurking in the depths of the Faisaliah Tower underground parking.
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| Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 6:59 am Post subject: |
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I don't know about locals or natives, but the peasants are revolting. No literally. I mean it. They are.
G |
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