Job Discussion Forums

[shebab]

Does anyone have any information on working at the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research, in Abu Dhabi? They have only been advertising at select employment sites, none of which are related specifically to teaching or to ESL. Yet they are hiring for ESL trainers. It seems like a big mystery to me!

Thanks,

[mli_vet]

Ya shebab,

ECSSR, mafee zain. Should be mamnooaa the things that go on there.

Fear and intimidation characterize this place. Quite a few horror stories have come out of this ECSSR joint. AMIDEAST (formerly "consultants") did the old armtwist some time ago now to shaft a few newbies into going there (one guy barely over his jet-lag, "Huh, sure, I'll give it a try. Can't be all that bad . . . " guess again). They didn't last long, and the place is like a revolving door at full speed for Arabs and non-Arabs alike. Don't fall into this trap--you'll regret it immensely. It's run by one of the looniest, cruelest, swollen-headed, inferiority-disguising, megalomaniacs in the Gulf -- Dr. (did he really earn it? is the question) Jamal Al-ECSSR.

The stories floating about MLI are something else--the soccer games for example, which early on revealed the character of ECSSR and its "leader" (who is also over MLI BTW in the military hierarchy). After the first loss to an MLI team in the ECSSR intramural soccer/football competition, he actually ordered the MLI teams to lose from then on. He has also ordered physical attacks on players from the opposing teams (MLI and ECSSR) during a game--the unfortunates suffered broken bones--but were smiling nonetheless since they got time off from their "jobs" at the ECSSR. He runs his "prestigious" research center in the same way, his own little "sheikhdom."

Don't be taken in by the supposed "prestige"--there's nothing to it, and you can make the same $$$ in better conditions elsewhere as an "ESL Trainer." The horror stories emanating from this place, in all honesty, are endless. Don't even think about it. Be warned, and stay well away. Mafee good idea Shebab.

MLI Vet
Over and Out

[shebab]

Wow! I can't believe this! Why hasn't anyone else come forward about this place??

I had a phone interview with them a few weeks ago, then a week later a video conference interview, for which I had to prepare a 5 minute presentation on a pertinent topic. At the time, I felt they were very professional, albeit overly serious. They seemed to be impressed with my credentials, but I still haven't heard back from them as they had promised.

The only thing I didn't like about this contract was only getting 30 days vacation, but since it's not a university, that's to be expected.

I guess I'll have to think hard about this one if they ever get around to making me an offer...

[khmerhit]

think hard? sounds like a no-brainer to me, mate.

[mli_vet]

Why hasn't this come out before, you ask? Well it has actually, but it sounds like this is the first time you're hearing about it. I'm telling you what I've seen and heard by way of whispered office conversations at MLI behind closed doors. People are scared of this megalomaniac and his occasional wasta gone wild.

MLI colleagues tend to keep mum about it since Dr. J is the real, genuine Big Cheese at MLI (notwithstanding another Cheese who posts now and then in these forums). It's said he'll (Dr. J) have you out of the country overnight if you cross him or otherwise cause Dr. J displeasure--who do you think had finally had enough of AMIDEAST's antics? It wasn't the MLI Commander--try another level higher. Why was their contract terminated in this manner after supposed renewal? Typical operating procedure for Dr. J and his ECSSR.

Not nice, you say! Very true, but this is the Gulf, and the concept of due process, justice, human rights, etc, . . . well, we know the story. The hilarious thing is that this guy has published books and things on all things . . . the topic of democracy in the Middle East.

Get in touch privately w/ anyone whose had contact w/ the ECSSR and they'll give you the same scoop, guaranteed--if not even worse. They'll tell you about the butt-kissing and grovelling before this dude who thinks he's some big shot cause he's a Dr. and a special assistant to Sheikh Mohammed. ECSSR is connected to the Zayed Center as well, which has been in the news for their anti-Semitic stance.

Why is the ECSSR so secretive? What else is going on there besides ESL training? I think a lot of people would like to know, myself included. Someone suggested they might have Osama there--recuperating after his kidney surgery in Dubai--but that's probably an urban legend. More realistically, a lot of that oil money is being sent somewhere, and it's not going be put into an ESL Trainer's pocket--not any more than necessary in any case.

As for that 30 days, the military likes to pull a little trick--you can't take your first holiday until after working a year, and the ECSSR enforces this last I heard from one of those jet-lagged newbies, which means you've just forfeited your tickets and vacation for the first year if you go along w/ it. They'll do more than this too--like pressuring you to work more hours than you thought you'd agreed to at first. This is a pressure-cooker and folks don't last long here. Just one of those things, Shebab.

Take the job if it's all you've got on offer, but be ready to continue the job search process for when things start to get really, really unpleasant. Have you seen the contract yet? Enjoy ! ! ! Hope you're not very good at soccer/football. Break a leg!

MLI Vet
Over and Out

[grand fromage]

This reading by MLI VET (wannabe, I think) is so funny-thanks for the good entertainment I missed his soap-opera dramatism so much-welcome back guru of imagination and embellishment. OK, let's get serious here. The Emirates Center is indeed run by this Dr. Jamal, who indeed is a character to avoid (or so I hear, as I have never worked there-have you Vet?) . In the past people who worked there did indeed get 30 days vacation versus 45 if they stayed at MLI but I think it was changed to 45 at some point-they may have reversed that. Broken bones on the football team, aliens in the bathroom, probes in your brain, yeah right-funny none of my MLI football team friends have ever mentioned this even in passing. Also as infamous as Dr. Jamal is, you never even get to meet or see him (he's that important , so stories are born about this figure. BTW, one of the romors has it that he's behind the firing of AMIDEAST-very probable in this dirty world of military politics. Oh, did I forget to mention I know there's a guy who's refused to move from working there for more than 2 years now-that really supports MLI VET's picture of a dark, medieval workplace, doesn't it? Every coin has two sides, some people like it there, others rotate as MLI VET stated before. I wouldn't work there myself, but unless you can't live with the fact that you're not allowed to bring in or take out anything from this place, it might be for you. The students there are surely of a higher grade than at MLI or at any of their schools. Ok MLI VET, let the insults begin.

[mli_vet]

Big Cheese, who's doing the insulting here? And who said anything about aliens in the bathroom? Were you referring to the Zayed Centre connection here, perhaps.

That's a pretty serious issue as well--serious enough for the Z centre to be shut down anyway.

Of course Dr. J is behind AMIDEASTs firing. I wouldn't have brought it up if that weren't the case.

Thanks for your enlightened contributions, Big Cheese. Let the praise of all things military, MLI, "other" branch locations, ECSSR continue unabated.

I still say, ECSSR, mafee good idea shebab. And that's my dirham's worth, for what it's worth, which seems to be worth a tad more than generally uncritical, gullibly positive, and sometimes downright misleading drivel which censors, newbies and others have to offer. The real deal is not always so positive.

Mafee good idea, shebab Mub zain! Shoof for yourselves if you don't believe me.

MLI Vet
Over and Out
[email protected]

[grand fromage]

Strange how passionate you are about this place if you've never worked there MLI Vet. It's so little known to us MLIers that most of the info you provide probably has questionable sources (in my humble opinion, at least). Why even bother-there are 2 people there at a time at the most-let's save our energy for issues that relate to more people.

[khmerhit]

Well Ive certainly made my mind up! Wouldnt touch it with a barge-pole...

[mli_vet]

Why bother, asks BIG Cheese? Wouldn't want our colleague Shebab to make the wrong move now, would we?

2 people only? Who do you think really pulls the strings here at MLI? Who do you think has made up that new contract? How many people are really affected/going to be affected by Dr. Jamal Al-ECSSR? He may not be seen, but he gets around through his proxies. You seem like a good candidate for one of these!

As for your "passion" statement, well, we wouldn't want to let Shebab find himself in the ole ECSSR armtwist, would we? Would you volunteer for the ECSSR assignment, BIG Cheese? Be honest . . .

This can be arranged for you.

Send your CVs as an attachment please to [email protected]. Visit their website at www.ecssr.ac.ae. Apply today and receive a bonus--a FREE pass to bring in one sandwich (and that does mean ONE only) without it being taken apart and being inspected by the "Egyptian" security guard named Usama (he's a nice guy, but who wants his fingers all over your sandwich?).

MLI Vet
Over and Out
[email protected]

[shebab]

Boys, boys...stop fighting on my account!

The longer it takes to hear back from this place regarding a final decision, the more I am inclined to believe the worst about them. However, I'll just have to wait and see what they say when/if they finally make a decision.

Do not worry-I will consider all your thoughtful comments before I commit to anything!

[grand fromage]

Ok, so I was one posting late with the insults prediction-MLI VET,you need to get a life and stop reading the National Enquirer, or whatever M.E. of it version you happen to read. None of what you have stated happens to be fact-we all have wild imaginations, but I choose to use mine elsewhere, and that is why I stick to facts or at least first-hand info. As for you my poor friend, you need to get your frustrations out elsewhere or seek help. Better yet, just dissapear again; after all you were gone for a while and the universe was safe, short of a few copycats PLEASE crawl back under the rock you just oozed out from, pretty please. Shebab, you may want to look for work elsewhere, especially if you believe that Osama would be one of your students Seriously, there are much worse places, and of course better ones. Like I said before, it wouldn't be my first choice, but if I had to choose between a hagwon or an 80-hour schedule in Japan, well you know ...

[mli_vet]

How much are they paying you? Thought you weren't going to waste your time? Who's frustrated?!? Who's insulting who? You haven't been here that long, have you . . .

You didn't answer the question, BIG Cheese. Would YOU volunteer for this assignment?

Send that CV in and get that free sandwich pass if you hurry now!

Usama (not OBL, BTW) the security guard is waiting. "Shu haatha!"

You wish I would disappear----but weren't you just saying you missed me a few postings back?

MLI Vet
Over and Out

[grand fromage]

I don't have time to answer you PMs MLI_VET, so please limit your communication attempts to this forum. I guess diversion still remains your tactic, and admitting that you know little of what you speak of is wishful thinking. Before you continue asking me further questions, kindly return to my last message and answer the ones about the nature of your sources. I will however show more grace and answer your last question. Yes, if I had to work there, for the money I am paid to put up with a lot of minor-to-medium-b.s. I would do it without hesitation. When I think of how difficult it is to meet ends for ESL teachers back home, I will not be too fussy when they pay me a doctor or lawyer-level salary, and they fly me home once a year. Oh did I mention they pay my rent and utilities. Your image of a dictator-run institute doesn't scare me a bit. After all, I have worked for some scary characters in the "civilised" world too-so what's the difference? OK, halas, enough of this waste of time. I have a 3 day weekend (again and would like to enjoy it without dealing with whiners like you. OVER AND OUT

[mli_vet]

Enjoy your weekend, BIG Cheese--well earned. You're a real sport!

We'll have to agree to disagree once again it seems. Or should I say that we're almost half agreed-- to quote from an earlier post of mine in this same thread, "Take the job if it's all you've got on offer, but be ready to continue the job search process. . ."

My sources are actually quite informed--firsthand just like yours, but our interpretation of the facts obviously differs. And that's OK. No hard feelings.

Later.

MLI Vet
Over and Out