Job Discussion Forums

[the wondering minstrel]

I need to get some input from some Saudi veterans (teaching, that is) regarding the best possible choice of these three teaching jobs. I've been approached by two and the third is also an option. Having read some posts about both Jubail and Al Yamamah, they seem to be run not too badly if I'm not mistaken and Prince Mohammad is a new school.

All I really know is the basics: they're all near the gulf relatively speaking, the hours are 20 teaching plus 10ish office hours, the salary is 32-37 (US tax free I gather?), and the housing/transport/airfare allotments. They all seem to offer two months pay holiday so they're relatively comparable.

However, most of us have been around the block and comparing notes, working conditions, salaries and such comes with the territory. I'd appreciate kind of a 'local' impression of what these colleges have relative to one another. Any insight you can offer is appreciated.

Incidentally, with the Canadian dollar practically neck and neck with the $US what kind of savings are to be reasonably expected counting in a comfortable living (a few weekend trips to Bahrain, UAE, perhaps a car?, eating in but well, "not scrimping basically") In other words, would I be better getting my permanent teaching license here in Canada first and then trying out the international/American school route or is this still a viable/fruitful venture. For a bit of background, I did the Korea/Taiwan path for 6 years and returned for graduate work and currently teach as a substitute French/German teacher for the time being. But the lure of travel is still there and I'm curious about this angle before it may be too late, which I have heard from some on these posts. Thanks for any help you may offer!

[Stephen Jones]

As far as Jubail and Yanbu go the salary depends on your teaching experience. The top of the scale (SR12,817 or $42,500) is for those with ten years' after the Bachelor's. There is a difference of SR600 for each year.

So, if you are going to be at the top of the scale, the gig is reasonable, and you could save about two-thirds of your salary without too much problem.

So, for immediate savings this is the way to go. The International School way is unlikely to give you more savings. It will give you more choice of countries to live in on a reasonable salary though.