Job Discussion Forums

[rwright]

I was recently interviewed via LOVETEFL for a position in Saudi Arabia through Education Experts. Rumour has it that they are a terrible country to work for but I am having a hard time finding solid information about concerns with the company.

I am, admittedly, under-qualified for working in Saudi Arabia and would not be able to get a job there directly. I have a CELTA and 1 year teaching experience only but am attracted to working there as it will allow me to work via the internet on my master's degree and will allow me to make substantial money (though not as much as I would if I had a master's!). I am a single woman with no dependents.

I am particularly concerned with the concept that I have to acquire permission to leave the country. If I find myself in a dangerous situation, this would be a concern. Also, I want the freedom to travel to a more liberal country during long weekends off so that I can normalize! How strict are they about travel outside of the country?

The contract stipulates that it provides private housing but I have heard that they move you around a lot to different schools; does this apply to female teachers as well?

Any advice would be helpful. I am also fielding some decent offers from schools in South Korea but feel that Saudi Arabia would offer the time (there is NOTHING else to do, after all) for me to work on my master's degree without distraction.

Also, what do you where while working at an all-female school? I presume the abaya is only for wear in public but have found no information about what to wear during classes!

[lcanupp1964]

I don't need to be hit over the head with a hammer to know that it would hurt if someone hit me over the head with a hammer. What kind of "solid information" would you need to know that Edex is a fuc*ed up company other than a hundred negative posts about how bad Edex sucks?

Huh? What? Duh?

You wrote you are under qualified, so you know that you would not be able to get the better direct hire positions in KSA and would have to go with the "bottom feeders". Edex is at the very bottom of the bottom feeders.

You also wrote, "Any advice would be helpful." Here's mine: go to South Korea (I spent two years teaching there) and get a few more years of experience and then apply to KSA. You do know that you can go on the internet in South Korea and work on your masters - right?

I have a feeling that you are not going to listen.

[rwright]

I am simply having a difficult time finding the postings detailing the Edex horror stories; do you have any links? Do you have any advice on how to contact current or recent employees of Edex?

[scot47]

Do not go with Edex. Direct hire with a university is the only way. If you do not have what is needed for that, give it a miss.

[MuscatGary]

There's a search function at the top of the page but here's something to be going on with - http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=103551&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

[lcanupp1964]

I 100% understand that you would like more information. It's a scary thing to move to the other side of the world. Please do a search on this site and I feel that you would find enough information. I know that there are a few vets of FedEx that you can PM (if they make themselves known). It just makes me nervous for you when I read your questions about wearing the abaya in class; it tells me how "babe in the woods" you are about the Middle East. BTW, if you are teaching in the ladies sections, you can take off the abaya while in your office and class. You would just need to put it back on whenever there is a chance you might run into any males. In addition, the chances that Edex would issue you a multiple exit visa is very, very slight.

[rwright]

Yes, I admit to knowing very little. My travel and teaching experience up to this point has been primarily in Latin America but I do have family that lived on a compound in KSA for 25 years and have emailed them for additional information.

I have read some of the links on here; how is safety for a single woman living alone in one of these studio/long term hotels?

Without a multi-exit visa, I would basically be trapped, yes?

I have another interview with a school in South Korea tomorrow night. It is becoming more attractive!

Thank you for the advice so far! I am listening!

[spanglish]

I would suggest paying close attention to lcanupp's advice.

The MENA region is very, very different from Latin America. Also, if the family you know that lives on a compound is on an expat style of contract, they will have experienced a lifestyle nothing like what will await you on a bottom of the barrel TEFL contract.

[scot47]

Living on Sierra Compound of Arabian Homes with a job as an accountant or an engineer is lightyears away from living and working as a single female teacher with one of those cowboy EFLer outfits. Like the difference between being a Bangladeshi cleaner and being a Saudi professional.

[fledex]

With Edex, expect to be moved around from hotel to hotel in different cities. Expect not to be paid everything that is owed to you, but to usually get paid each month's salary at some point. Expect no job satisfaction whatsoever. Expect horrible management of the teachers and the company. Expect dangerous rides to and from work every day. Expect to stay indoors most of your time. Don't expect your lifestyle to be anything like a person living on a compound.

Many young people with little experience work for them for a year or so and save as much as they can. What it comes down to is, what is your happiness worth? You will be miserable while making the money. I don't think what you'll save working for Edex is much more than what you could save in Korea, Taiwan, or China. You'll put in more hours in those countries and could get a bad employer there also, but you likely will at least be somewhat happier.

[nomad soul]

[cultofpersonality]

There are other companies. Check them out first if you really want to live and work in Saudi Arabia. Living in Saudi isn't for the faint hearted. There are plenty forums on Edex and pretty much everyone I know who has worked for them has told me what a terrible company they are. I personally wouldn't go there.

[2buckets]

I've never heard of multiple entry/exit visas in SA for ESL teachers.

You normally only get the exit/reentry visa at scheduled leave times and the company normally pays for it. If you live close to Bahrain and want to go swanning off there on the weekends, I think the company must get it for you and you pay for it. They don't like to be bothered doing this, so don't expect a visa on a regular basis.

You're their slave and they decide if you can go or not.

Are you getting the picture?

Again, Korea, China, Taiwan, Thailand would be a good place to start your ESL career. Get the MA. and you can apply to a Uni with strong credentials.

[2buckets]

I've never heard of multiple entry/exit visas in SA for ESL teachers.

You normally only get the exit/reentry visa at scheduled leave times and the company normally pays for it. If you live close to Bahrain and want to go swanning off there on the weekends, I think the company must get it for you and you pay for it. They don't like to be bothered doing this, so don't expect a visa on a regular basis.

You're their slave and they decide if you can go or not.

Are you getting the picture?

Again, Korea, China, Taiwan, Thailand would be a good place to start your ESL career. Get the MA. and you can apply to a Uni with strong credentials.

[bigdurian]

Never had a problem getting a MEV. It's worth it if you're going away a lot.