Job Discussion Forums

stan the man · Joined: 06 Jun 2006 Posts: 14

I've been offered a job at the Royal Commission of Jubail to be an instructor.

I wanted to know if anyone knows much about this place and this type of position.

The base salary is 12,200 Riyals per month (I've got 10 years experience plus an MA), then transport and incidentals makes it 12,800 gross. Housing , medical, and vacations are paid. It's 20 hours contact teaching, 40 hours a week.

It sounds sweet, but what caveats should I be aware of about Jubail in particular. Is there things to see and do? Can I wear shorts (!)

Stuff that you seasoned expert expats would be able to expound is most appreciated.

Stan

stan the man · Joined: 06 Jun 2006 Posts: 14

How can I read the 'silence' to my original posting about the working life at the Royal Commission in Jubail?

Is there a brave soul who would kindly write me privately about this organization, please!

Stan

Jeddah Aquanaut · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 9

I shall confine this reply to Stan the Man's question regarding Jubail itself. There are many positive qualities to living in Jubail. Sadly, many have to do with other cities within driving distance FROM Jubail, rather than anything Jubail itself might have to offer.

For example, there is an active social life and several western compounds. It's only 115 kilometers away, in Al Khobar. There are many bars and clubs, and places to worship. It is possible to enjoy a normal social life. There are many opportunities for women, and they don't have to wear an abaya. It's just across the Causeway in Bahrain.

Don't worry, Jubail Industrial City is not completely without its merits. There is a lovely Corniche, the envy of the entire Eastern Province. You'll never be bored by the same old dull weather. Sand, cold winters, wretchedly hot summers, sandstorm afternoons--there's something for everyone.

If you come to work here, you will undoubtedly come to meet many people in your daily routine. Take Saudi Arabian Airlines, for example. Each time you go on holiday, you will get to know each and everyone on the staff in the Jubail downtown branch, as it takes several times to finally get one's air ticket in hand. The same can be said for other offices. You will have to go to some offices so many times for certain matters that they start to feel like your extended family.

At JIC, there is a wonderfully eclectic teaching staff from the four corners of the earth. Some of them could compete with Martha Stewart on how to scrimp and save. Whether it be how to get the most mileage out of a single piece of aluminium foil, or how to save money by getting rides from students, you'll put away tons of money. One teacher even learned to save time by having some of his students help him correct their tests. The ingenuity and dedication of such teachers is touching, and if you join our merry staff, you too can reach these same heights. Good luck, and good night.

Jeddah Aquanaut · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 9

No shorts sighted here. If you don't mind classes of up to 40 students, and have the ability to manage all that while still following the pacing schedule, you'll do well. If you have a high tolerance for ambivilance, ambiguity and apathy, you'll do well. If you don't mind free accomodation smaller than some houses' walk-in closets, you'll like it here. (Oh, by the way, about housing. One teacher got an obviously misprinted water bill for thousands of Riyals, and was told to pay up or he wouldn't get his exit/re-entry visa. Not sure what he'll do.) Take the housing allowance (3 months salary) and find your own place. Expect the unexpected. Don't believe either the self-styled (former) hiring-expert, nor the former teacher who took his clothes off. Neither have a solid grasp of the realities at JIC. Certainly the one who stripped has an axe to grind. From what objective facts I've heard about him, I wouldn't hire him at all. People like him give others a bad name, and sour the admin's attitude (sour enough already!) towards those who don't go "postal," as the Americans say.

It's not really a place to be long-term, but depending on your tolerances, it's possible. A lot depends on one's attitude. There are good and bad people wherever you go. If you only concentrate on the prats you meet, then you'll burn out sooner, rather than later. It's the good ones, the decent ones that help one get by, whether it be a student, teacher, or Saudi outside the college. Of course people come here for the money, but that's not to say that you have to have a **** attitude. Some are really decent, good-hearted types, but don't really belong here. Others would be just as vile wherever they were, but it would be better were they somewhere else. Others start off fine, but burn out and never leave. The money is definitely attractive, but it can be blinding, alluring, like the Sirens beckoning Odysseus. Be mindful.

AGATHA · Joined: 03 Dec 2006 Posts: 45 Location: DAMMAM

Yeah.A lot of the good guys got canned in the purge.The 'ELC mafia' is still looking for fresh victims.The garbage those Brown Nose Boys do is wierd.

Van Norden · Joined: 23 Oct 2004 Posts: 409

007 · Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 5:48 pm Post subject:

AGATHA · Joined: 03 Dec 2006 Posts: 45 Location: DAMMAM

JAMES? flattery.
If you work for the military how do know all about the JIC truth?

Van Norden · Joined: 23 Oct 2004 Posts: 409

007 · Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 4:43 pm Post subject:

AGATHA · Joined: 03 Dec 2006 Posts: 45 Location: DAMMAM

I haven't got the scoop on the next purge yet.The ELC mafia/kitchen cabinet has been really quiet.Maybe the new guy has told them not to rock the boat.The guys I know are all avoiding Jubail Industrial College
JUC,JTI etc.just in case.

JAMES JOYCE · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 2:25 pm Post subject:

I don't really know precisely about the next purge.I know that a
Saudi gent in the Royal Commission said recently that they would let some teachers go in June.
I haven't seen the Greasy Pole and his friends laughing for some time now.

The Noodles · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 202 Location: China, Chengdu

JIC... Hmm I kind of know what to expect. I'm only going to take this job for the money and the fact that right now I need to be somewhere alone (but not lonely) where I can focus without any distractions.

My one worry is the fact that they will keep my passport for three months actually 90 days. I have also read that some schools not necessarily this one also try to charge you for the exit Visa. As I understand it this is the responsibility of the school. The contract also states this.

The water bill story didn't much impress me either although I have no way of knowing if that is true or not. There will be consequences if anyone attempts to rip me off like that.

I happen to love the desert and hope to explore some of the dunes in Saudi. I know there are problems with JIC, but I have before encountered problems in other schools just as most other teachers who have lived and worked in Asia.

I always thought that if you really don't like a place you can move on. The contract does say i'll be able to leave with a months notice. If it's on paper, why should there be a problem? Am I being too naive?

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

prarie oyster · Joined: 04 Mar 2007 Posts: 11 Location: Here!!!

Stephen Jones wrote: