|
Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
cartago
Joined: 19 Oct 2005
Posts: 283
Location: Iraq
|
 Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2015 1:39 pm Post subject: |
 |
|
I'm in Zakho on the border with Turkey and go to Erbil and Duhok from time to time. A few months ago I was working in Sulaymaniyah. I'm not really part of the expat network (well there isn't one in Zakho) except the people who I work with and none of them have any problems with living here or plan to leave and some new people have been coming in.
Zakho is on the border with Turkey but it's also closer to Sinjar and Mosul than Erbil or Sulaymaniyah. Well, I suppose in the case of Erbil they're both roughly equal-distance. There are a really large number of Yazidi refugees, mostly in camps outside the city. I visited a couple of the camps a few days ago and there are thousands of families living there.
I don't live in Erbil so you might want to find someone who has more experience there. Maybe visit couchsurfing. Just from visiting, I haven't noticed it to be so different from before, haven't felt in danger and still see a number of expats in family mall and popular restaurants. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
SunnyYacht
Joined: 11 Jun 2014
Posts: 7
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2015 7:02 am Post subject: |
|
|
Hi Cartago,
Thanks for your input.
Could you please give an update on how you might feel about teaching in Dohuk? I understand you are in Zakho...SP? Which is close to the Turkish border, fleeing ISIS Into Turkey seems like it would be an easy out in case of emergency, but is it really, would ISIS pursue a group of people across the border at that point, how well guarded is it, enough to protect people fleeing ISIS Across that border? I am not trying to make you feel nervous but 17 tourists got killed in Tunisia today by Islamic militants.
i was offered a job in Dohuk but turned it down because in the end, I just couldn't bring myself to make my family worry that much about me.
If western powers put boots on the ground to guard Kurdistan, I'd be there in a flash. but until then, I'm waiting it out. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2015 8:02 am Post subject: |
|
|
| SunnyYacht wrote: |
I am not trying to make you feel nervous but 17 tourists got killed in Tunisia today by Islamic militants.
i was offered a job in Dohuk but turned it down because in the end, I just couldn't bring myself to make my family worry that much about me.
If western powers put boots on the ground to guard Kurdistan, I'd be there in a flash. but until then, I'm waiting it out. |
It's probably best that you wait it out if you're feeling extremely anxious about heading to the region.
By the way, Tunisia is in North Africa---no where near Iraq or the Levant. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SunnyYacht
Joined: 11 Jun 2014
Posts: 7
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2015 9:49 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Thanks nomad, I'm not anxious for myself, just don't want my family to worry about me anymore, been there, done that to them. my point exactly about Tuniisa being far away, just imagine being 50 kilometers from Mosul, with the thin red line of peshmerga holding back ISIS, by the way I'm 55 years old, been to 40 countries and seen things most people would not believe, so I don't bother telling them, wouldn't be anxious about going there, just wouldn't put my family through that. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2015 4:13 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| SunnyYacht wrote: |
| ... would ISIS pursue a group of people across the border at that point, how well guarded is it, enough to protect people fleeing ISIS Across that border? |
This is a question that no one could answer. You personally have to weigh whether the job is worth the risk. IMHO, for a single person going is probably fine, but I would certainly never take a family into an area like this for the foreseeable future.
If you were referring to family back home, I found that they worried whatever Middle East country I was in... even Oman, which is one of the safest countries in the world for foreigners. Attacks similar to what happened in Tunisia have also happened in the US and the UK... so...
VS |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
plumpy nut
Joined: 12 Mar 2011
Posts: 1652
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2015 7:04 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| It's difficult to say if it's safer or not. You earlier mentioned tourists killed by terrorists. ISIS (let's hope they catch them all, everyone) is just beginning on the pathway to defeat. In desperation they may turn more to terrorist tactics, especially against Westerners in that region. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2015 11:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| veiledsentiments wrote: |
| SunnyYacht wrote: |
| ... would ISIS pursue a group of people across the border at that point, how well guarded is it, enough to protect people fleeing ISIS Across that border? |
This is a question that no one could answer. You personally have to weigh whether the job is worth the risk. IMHO, for a single person going is probably fine, but I would certainly never take a family into an area like this for the foreseeable future.
....
Attacks similar to what happened in Tunisia have also happened in the US and the UK... so... |
Right on, VS. Plus, those who worry may need to be reminded of the violence happening on their home soil. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
MuscatGary
Joined: 03 Jun 2013
Posts: 1364
Location: Flying around the ME...
|
| Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 12:02 am Post subject: |
|
|
| plumpy nut wrote: |
| It's difficult to say if it's safer or not. You earlier mentioned tourists killed by terrorists. ISIS (let's hope they catch them all, everyone) is just beginning on the pathway to defeat. In desperation they may turn more to terrorist tactics, especially against Westerners in that region. |
How can they ALL be captured? This is a war, Islam against the rest, It will continue for longer than anybody on here is alive. Don't believe the apologists who say that ISIS is not an Islamic organization, when it's all over in their favour they will say they supported it all along. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SunnyYacht
Joined: 11 Jun 2014
Posts: 7
|
| Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 1:04 am Post subject: |
|
|
| veiledsentiments wrote: |
| SunnyYacht wrote: |
| ... would ISIS pursue a group of people across the border at that point, how well guarded is it, enough to protect people fleeing ISIS Across that border? |
This is a question that no one could answer. You personally have to weigh whether the job is worth the risk. IMHO, for a single person going is probably fine, but I would certainly never take a family into an area like this for the foreseeable future.
If you were referring to family back home, I found that they worried whatever Middle East country I was in... even Oman, which is one of the safest countries in the world for foreigners. Attacks similar to what happened in Tunisia have also happened in the US and the UK... so...
VS |
Obviously this is a question that there is at least part of an answer to, which is, how well it that border protected for your safety, does it have three guards standing out in the middle of nowhere, or is there a battalion of soldiers? Someone there should be able to answer that question, perhaps the school one would be applying to teach at.
As far as to your."..so...."mentality, would honestly feel safer spending a year in let's say ...Taiwan...or in Kurdistan? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
|
| Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 2:41 am Post subject: |
|
|
I would probably choose Kurdistan to be honest. I've never had the least interest in teaching/living in Taiwan.
As to the guards at the border, questions like that often depend on when you ask. One week it might be a guy with a gun, but no bullets, but these days, I suspect that the border is pretty well guarded. Lots of heavily armed men... but then the question is whether they would risk their lives to save some foreigner. Or whether it would just get you caught in the crossfire.
Let's just say that I wouldn't make my decision based on some stranger's estimation of the quality of border guards in the Middle East.
VS |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
|
| Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 5:42 am Post subject: |
|
|
| SunnyYacht wrote: |
| Obviously this is a question that there is at least part of an answer to, which is, how well it that border protected for your safety, does it have three guards standing out in the middle of nowhere, or is there a battalion of soldiers? Someone there should be able to answer that question, perhaps the school one would be applying to teach at. As far as to your."..so...."mentality, would honestly feel safer spending a year in let's say ...Taiwan...or in Kurdistan? |
I can't speak for Iraqi Kurdistan, but from my experience, the universities/schools do what they can to ensure the safety of the staff, faculty, and students. However, you need to be realistic in your expectations.
I've taught in two Mid East countries during times of close violence/fighting and frankly, these situations can change as suddenly as the wind---it's very unpredictable. For example, one day the streets can be clear with business as usual. However, in just a matter of hours, heavily-armed soldiers, checkpoints, tanks, and barbed wire are blocking those same streets. Additionally, be aware that when it comes time to get out, you'll be warned with an email alert from your embassy to get yourself out. You cannot rely on your embassy to make arrangements for you; that's not their job, plus, they have more important issues to deal with. Also, nothing's for certain, including how long you'd be able to stay at your job since it may mean leaving in the middle of your contract. I've been there, done that. In both countries I taught in, I was fully aware that the situation was quite volatile and could escalate. I kept my focus on what was going on around me as well as a contingency plan for a quick exit. (I always had a "to-go" bag nearby just in case we had to leave with very short notice.) By the way, I'm a former US Army brat---born and raised overseas; I'm used to funky, unpredictable situations.
Taiwan or Kurdistan? Choose the one that would give you peace of mind. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SunnyYacht
Joined: 11 Jun 2014
Posts: 7
|
| Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 8:38 am Post subject: |
|
|
Hi Nomad, I really enjoyed and learned something useful from your response, thank you.
Hi VS,
Perhaps I should rephrase the question, it's not about you personally but in all honesty which do you think would be safer as far as terrorist attack ,,,Taiwan or Kurdistan.
I'm watching the eclipse, very rare, with super moon and on the spring equinox, it's on sky news, full coverage. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
cartago
Joined: 19 Oct 2005
Posts: 283
Location: Iraq
|
| Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 10:08 am Post subject: |
|
|
| SunnyYacht wrote: |
Hi Cartago,
Thanks for your input.
Could you please give an update on how you might feel about teaching in Dohuk? I understand you are in Zakho...SP? Which is close to the Turkish border, fleeing ISIS Into Turkey seems like it would be an easy out in case of emergency, but is it really, would ISIS pursue a group of people across the border at that point, how well guarded is it, enough to protect people fleeing ISIS Across that border? I am not trying to make you feel nervous but 17 tourists got killed in Tunisia today by Islamic militants.
i was offered a job in Dohuk but turned it down because in the end, I just couldn't bring myself to make my family worry that much about me.
If western powers put boots on the ground to guard Kurdistan, I'd be there in a flash. but until then, I'm waiting it out. |
Yes I'm in Zakho about 45 minutes drive north of Duhok. I don't think ISIS would be able to chase anyone across the Turkish border but in the event of ISIS breaking through to Duhok of course you'd have to worry about actually making it there while presumably thousands of other people are trying to do the same thing.
Someone in another post mentioned a few soldiers guarding the border with Mosul. There are numerous well guarded checkpoints. They're taking security very seriously. If you're working for the American university they will surely have armed guards there and I would expect you'd be living in an apartment complex with armed guards.
At the same time, you're certainly able to freely wander around Duhok and travel to other cities like Erbil. Well I don't know what the university says about that but that's what I do. You'll want to visit Erbil some time, Duhok is dull.
The thing about the attack on the museum, it was obviously targeting tourists/westerners which makes it different from most other attacks. In Duhok there arent really tourists and few expats. I suppose it might make me more nervous about going to places that expats frequent in Erbil.
Oh and the Kurdistan Taiwan comparison, I've never heard of Taiwan being considered dangerous except maybe from tsunamis or something. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SunnyYacht
Joined: 11 Jun 2014
Posts: 7
|
| Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 10:53 am Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks Cartago that was brilliant on the ground realistic reporting.
I'm starting to get a clearer picture for that exact location. And thanks again Nomad for your input.
I am not afraid of dieing, just don't want to have my head cut off with a butcher knife, far too violent.
My daughter is 12, wouldn't want to worry her about the possibility of seeing daddy being butchered on YouTube, even if it never happened. I remember when my dad was in the Vietnam war, three tours, I never got used to it, and let's face it Iraq is a war zone and western governments are posting grave travel warnings.
So, perhaps I'll just take a safer position for now.
Thanks again for all your input. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SunnyYacht
Joined: 11 Jun 2014
Posts: 7
|
| Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 11:02 am Post subject: |
|
|
| By the way just mentioning Taiwan, randomly, as a safer option for living and working compared to Kurdistan because they only have earthquakes and Typhoons, hahahaha. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
