Job Discussion Forums

[lyndalorient]

I have just discovered I will be sent to Al Ain if I take up a job with Chouefait.

I have tried doing research on Al Ain and very little is coming up.

To my dismay it is not beside the beach, it seems really traditional and not at all what I am looking for in the UAE. It doesn t seem touristy and that really worries me.

There is nothing about the school, the accomodation, absolutely nothing....
I have signed the contract but I heard alot of people don t show up anyway. They haven t started processing my visa or plane tickets yet. I think they are waiting on me to do this?

Is it even possible to ask for Abu Dhabi or Dubai?Could I chance it? As I really cannot see myself going to a place like this. I think I would it would be such a culture shock and unbearably hot without the seaside. Is it like Cairo?

I am worried I would have to cover up, be abused and be one of the few foreigner, Frankly I am terrified now....

Does any one know a thing about this place? Or is there anyone who can reassure me as this sounds like a nightmare to me.....

[eha]

Al Ain is NOT like Cairo! And it's far from a nightmare; I liked living in Al Ain (the job was the problem, but don't worry, I wasn't in Choueifat). It is a long way from the seaside, but the advantage of that is that it isn't as debilitatingly humid as Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Dubai is about an hour-and-a-half drive away; Abu Dhabi two-and-a-half--- maybe less. It's got several-- 4 or 5 now--- international hotels, with pools and sports facilities; the accommodation is mostly very nice--- can't answer for Choueifat, mind you.
Only problem: you sound YOUNG. It's a great place for older people; young people, esp. if you're single, find it a bit boring. But you can drive up to Dubai at weekends -- if you like shopping malls. I'd call it 'suburban-living-in-the-desert'.
About the job: have you checked out Choueifat? Again, it isn't every teacher's dream-- highly structured, I hear; not much freedom for teachers, etc. But then, where is there any of that for teachers nowadays?

[lyndalorient]

Thanks for your reply. I admit I was a bit worried when I posted this topic. I was just shocked as I had been told it would be Dubai or Abu Dhabi. As I know that these places are ok. No one seems to have been to Al Ain and thats what made me panic.
Of course when I did research all I saw was desert and souks.
Tripadviser has hardly any topics on it which made me freak out even more.
Don t get me wrong I loved Cairo but I couldn t possibly live in a place like that. I am used to my comforts and western living thats why I thought Dubai and Abu Dhabi would be perfect for me.

I am 22 but I don t like drinking and clubs. I just like socialising, meeting up for coffee and cinemas. In the evening I d like to sunbathe and swim thats why I was so dismayed that there is no beach. i like the heat (not too much but I am a sunworshipper) Is there anyhotels near the school (if you have ever seen chouefait in Al Ain)?
Maybe I was a bit too hasty to judge Al Ain. Its not poor is it? Is it terribly conservative? Are there beggars? Is there some things to do? i.e. water parks, decent malls, social clubs what transport like.

Now that I know where I ll be going is different I really don t know what to do. I want western comforts in a nice sea side environment in a place where I can feel safe and not worry about being a female on my own.

I don t know if I can ask to change but they can t force me to go somewhere I don t want to go.

[veiledsentiments]

[Bindair Dundat]

[cmp45]

Bindairdundat said:
They'll waste the mountains soon enough. If you could see what they've done to Jebel Hafeet, you would cry.


Now that you have left us hanging...what have they done...with the mountains... that would make you cry????

I lived in Fujairah for 3 years and was fortunate as it was nestled in between low mountains and ocean. It was ungodly humid though! I liked the low keyed lifestyle of Fujairah and for a small place there were an amazing number of bars and clubs etc.

I visited Al Ain a few times and thought it was okay; a well organized smaller city, if sprawling, lots of flowers and greenery.

I agree, it would be a wise move to get the Gulf experience. Perhaps once in the system you can try for a transfer?

Al ain is not in the boonies, you will have all your western creature comforts there, I am sure there are cinemas, etc and if you need the crazy big city life then its only 1 1/2 hours away. As stated before if you are young 22yrs you may not find many people in your age range...but then again I could be wrong...

[lyndalorient]

The Int'l Schools of Choueifat
Recruitment Dept
P.O.Box 15997
Al Ain
United Arab Emirates

Can anyone tell by looking at this address if it is in the city centre? I am warming to the idea of going here as people seem to have far more negative things to say about Dubai, ABU and Sharjah.
Anyone I have asked seems to like this town. There will definately be other expat teachers, won t there?
If the emritis are friendly I would be very happy. I would like more of a cultural experience (though the likes of Egypt and India would be far too much for me)


As I have stated before I just want to get some experience before getting my teachers qualification in Uk or Ire.
The problem is finidng out info on the actual school itself. I cant find anyone who worked there

[veiledsentiments]

Lynda

A quick lesson on the Emirates... they don't have addresses. I saw a wonderfully humorous article about that some years back. Streets may have a sign, but everyone will call it a different name... buildings lack numbers. You give directions by landmark, and it all works out much easier than you think it will.

Al-Ain was for years the main oasis of the Emirates and home of Sheikh Zayed. He made sure that it became a real garden spot in the desert once the oil wealth poured in. But, it has grown in rather an unplanned organic manner. I'm not sure if it has a 'center.' Nowhere in terribly far from anywhere else though.

It is the home of the main university UAEU, HCT, and some international schools, so never fear... there are plenty of other expats. Chouefat is a chain school, so the basic situation is the same in most branches. One just has the vagaries of management... and we get few teachers here who are not tertiary which is why it is hard to find any to talk to.

And since you are only going for one year, you will barely be unpacked and have found your way from home to school by the time you must repack to head home!!

VS

[eha]

lynda: Go on, give it a try! Al Ain is CRAWLING with expats! And as VS says, a year is nothing. I think the sc