Job Discussion Forums

mulan327 · Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Posts: 5

Ok, so I'm female. Have three years university ESL experiences in the US and one year in China. Masters Degree--dual in TESOL and International Student Services. I am interested in working the KSA. Any thoughts? Totally a bad idea? Or not that bad of an idea? What would life be like for me there---I'm 26 years old/single/white---I have taught many saudis state side and it's been great--but what is it like there? Any feedback would be great. Thanks.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

The key question is 'why KSA?' If what you want is to learn about the ME culture, this is NOT the best choice IMHO. In fact, it is the last country that I would choose for that.

The job opportunities are very limited for women and the lifestyle is one that many women (myself included) prefer not to deal with. I preferred to live in ME countries where there were few dress restrictions and I could drive my car... and I could teach both sexes.

What are your expectations... personally and professionally?

VS

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

For you I think Oman, UAE, Qatar or Bahrain would be better. KSA is DIFFICULT for females - especially if here alone. Ask Cleopatra who is currently in Riyadh.

crashartist1 · Joined: 06 Jun 2004 Posts: 164

A single women cannot come into the country to be a teacher. The only single women that can come into the country on a work VISA are in the medical field.

poorESLteacher

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I think you are wrong on that one. Ask Cleopatra who is a single female person teaching in Riyadh !

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Definitely not true crashartist/pooreslteacher. Cleo is there for her second time. I was offered a position in Riyadh in the late 90's. Two universities (Taibah and Yamamah) have been advertising for both men and women in the last couple of months.

They prefer to hire married women already in the country if they can so there are few job opening each year for single women, but they exist. I do think that Saudi employers are careful about who they hire. The teachers that are chosen tend to be ... shall we say, of a mature age... and consequently with more experience than our OP.

VS

mulan327 · Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Posts: 5

The reason I was interested in the KSA, is because I've been teaching lots of the Saudis here in the USA and have had a really positive outcome. Wanting to stretch my horizons a bit--maybe even push myself a little more in the field. I just didn't know if my preconceived ideas were found in truth or not.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I would say that there is little comparison between teaching English to Saudis while living in your home country and teaching Saudis while living in their country.

Plus in Saudi, you could only teach women.

VS

Arab Strap · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 246 Location: under your bed

There's a new university college opening up in Jubail and they are looking for female teachers.

PM me if you want the details.