Job Discussion Forums

[maccaliam]

Hey, I was wondering if anyone can offer any idea as to the general Syrian attitude towards women? I am in Egypt at the minute, and while it is a safe place, the comments and harassment my girlfriend receives quite regularly is more than a bit annoying. Is it similar in Syria or do Syrians actually respect women?

Also, out of curiosity, what would a salary need to be per month to have a good standard of living?

Many thanks.

[basiltherat]

[doner]

Egypt seems to be a problem for women.

[veiledsentiments]

[maccaliam]

Thanks a lot for the responses. I have heard that the harassment is much worse in Egypt than in Syria, but I wanted to get a few more people's points of view. Thank you for that.
When I am with my gf, the comments are regular but as far as it tends to go. The biggest problem is when she has to walk to school alone; she gets followed, attempts to touch/grab her are made on occasion, and some men have tried to block her from getting by to get in her face to make comments. And she dresses more conservatively than some of the Egyptians that we see in the street or we teach. unbelievably, my gf has had the best experience of a group of female teachers who started at the same time last June (others have had men grabbing them multiple times, the comments are incessant, one girl has had two cases where men have masturbated while staring at her - one from the rooftop of another building while she was on her balcony and one on the side of the road while she was attempting to walk by. Downtown seems to be much worse than in Heliopolis or Rahab, but nowhere is immune.

And thanks Basil for trying to break-down the cost of living as best as you could. I appreciate it. How are you finding Libya? I don't think it is for us but I am curious about your experiences there.

[AGoodStory]

Since this thread seems to be a collection of various aspects of teaching in Syria, I think my two questions will fit in here. The first concerns whether age presents a barrier to employment in Syria. I was interested in Morocco until I realized that 55 was the upper age limit for a visa, and I have since discovered a number of other countries where being older is an obstacle--I will soon turn 60--because of either visa regulations, or strongly held employer preference. (Or, I suppose, where the market is flooded with applicants, and there is no need to consider any candidate who is less than ideal.) I haven't found the answer to this, although I have looked. Does anyone know if this is an issue in Syria, and, if so, to what extent? My second question concerns the visa process, and I just want to double check my info so far--work visas can be very hard to come by? Teachers work on a tourist (?) visa, and do visa runs every 90 days? In this case, do people feel they are at risk? Actually, I thought I knew the answer to this, but I guess I need to research it a little more!

Thank you in advance for any help. I apologize if, in fact, either answer is glaringly obvious, and I just haven't spotted it!

[veiledsentiments]

As I understand it, most employers are unwilling or unable to provide work visas. So, visa runs are common and tend to get old rather fast.

Did we discuss this before about Morocco... I recall talking about this topic with someone in the last month or two. But I have a number of friends who went to Morocco to teach in the last few years and one had a two year contract including flat, so presumably was provided with a work visa. This person was over 60. And I have another friend who is still working there and has been for years and is over 65.

The thing is that in places like Morocco, Syria, and Egypt, work visas seem to be optional and rare. Needless to say, one doesn't make much money either, but with some energy, you can support yourself on the local economy.

VS

[basiltherat]

Hi
Age should not be an issue. I am 57 and am in regular contact with my previous employer who has promised to recall me when or if a new contract with the client is approved.

They have never discussed age with me so I assume this is not an issue.

Where I did part time work in Damascus 5 or so years ago, there were several people of my age and over working there and they had temporary resident visas.

However, as I have mentioned before, your employer's connections with those in government department institutions is often key.

Another issue is the political climate in the region within which rules and 'capacity' to issue visas etc can change extremely quickly.

Best
Basil

[veiledsentiments]

Hey Basil...

Does it depend on which passport you are carrying?

VS

[basiltherat]

VS
Yes, I think it would. Most likely. Depends on who is upsetting the regime at any particular time, I'd imagine.

Best
Basil

[AGoodStory]

Thank you Basil and VS for your responses. Your answers concerning the issue of age are what I was hoping to hear. The visa situation seems less positive, but is pretty much what I was expecting given everything I've read so far. Although VS's info about friends working in Morocco at age 60 and over is unexpected--I'd written Morocco off as a possibility because I had understood 55 to be the upper limit there.

One thing, though: I would like to have a better sense of the degree of risk involved in teaching without a work visa.

[basiltherat]

[AGoodStory]

Thanks, Basil, I think that puts Syria in the "doable" column, as far as visa goes. I'm still trying to sort out where I can go, and doing a little preliminary research on where I'd like to go, hopefully to find a country or two on both lists! Early on I had eliminated the entire ME from consideration, given the requirements for higher levels of experience and qualifications than I can offer. But it would appear--on a closer reading--that countries such as Syria and Egypt have lower requirements than the Gulf countries. (Not sure how I missed this initially!)

[scienceguy]

Does or has anyone you know taught at the National School of Aleppo? I am very curious about the school's attitude to the foreign teachers. If someone could send a private message or comment on the school, I would appreciate that.

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