Job Discussion Forums

[plumpy nut]

The worst and the laziest now haughtily requiring only "the best" (those lucky enough to actually get a reference from a Saudi). What the crazies probably want is letters of reference from each and every place you taught in Asia. These mindless government dictates keep getting worse and worse and keep victimizing good teachers. Prospective job seekers stay away from Saudi Arabia. Too many problems: weird visa requirements thrown at you, after you've already paid for everything. If you make it thru to a visa after spending all the cash, Ali Baba sitting in your class, doesn't like your teaching, so you last a month. If you last, you need references (sometimes written) from some of the most botched and bungled people on the earth

[bertonneau]

Yup, Im hearing various stories of new BS things that are coming up. Im sure that all this will do coupled with higher prices for everything which has already started is drive out more expats Western ones at least to seek other places. It's been an ok run over here but it's only going to get worse and your blurb is just one of many things starting to happen that will simply drive expats on to the next although a little lower paid place.

[murray1978]

Just to give you a heads up. I have been waiting for two plus months for a visa issuance number to complete my work employment visa to head over. I am Canadian so apparently it takes longer.

[RustyShackleford]

I paid a pretty penny for my visa, all told (about $1200!!), but the company I've been contracted with has been alright thus far. Didn't have to do any letters of recommendation. After jumping through all the hoops and mailing off the application, the agency got my employment visa in less than two days.

That said, I would advise people to tread very carefully when getting hired out here. Lots of snakes and shaky deals. From all I read here, I realise more and more just how damn lucky I got.

[In the heat of the moment]

But once you arrive, think of the benefits! Culture! Countryside! Social activities! Civilisation! Humanity! Great (n/a) beers! Art! Healthy food! Amazing architecture! Interesting piles of rubble on every street! Friendly government! Efficient services! Amazing museums! International food markets! I could go on...

[adventious]

[plumpy nut]

As I read thru the Saudi advertisements I am constantly reminded how the Saudis do not understand the smallest intricacies of education. In their need to bring some life to their sham educational system they cling to simple educational words thinking that using these will provide some semblance of quality. Although they use the terms BA and BS in terms of confidence in one area and another, the difference between the two is only that a BS is more rigorous than a BA. They only hire humanities graduates, humanities can mean history, sociology, psychology, anthropology. What does that have to do with English any more than engineering, biology, chemistry etc.. I am sure they will continue to insist on only BA's with at least a humanities degree.

Do our special friends the Saudis ever read Dave's?

[izmigari]

[veiledsentiments]

[gregory999]

I am constantly reminded how plumpy do not understand the difference between BA and BS, and always plumps up his posts with hot air.