Job Discussion Forums

[windsortraveller]

My wife and I are thinking of relocating to Morocco for work. Rabat seems to be the destination of choice at this time. Now most posts are informative but the personal bashing on this topic is obsurd. Could I get some recent views lifestyle, salary, etc that don't sound like an old married couple arguing? Thanks a lot. P.S. Are BC and ALC in Rabat still considered the best?

[Mr. Kalgukshi]

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[medina]

With hopes that the moderators will continue to moderate this forum which I've abandoned more than once because of the extreme flaming and trolling that has taken over in the past, I'd like to try to respond to Windsortraveller. Yes, the BC and ALC are certainly two of the most reputable English language schools in Rabat, but there is also Amideast in Agdal (they operate out of Washington D.C.) and a place called Proformation, a French outfit that teaches English by distance to business people in France. All these places have websites, needless to say.

Rabat is a city that has a number of good things about it---it's relatively small considering that it's a capital, its old medina is quite nice and easy to navigate, the people tend to mind their own business, there are some days when the wind blows through, clears the air, and the views of the ocean can be great. Also, it's near a lot of interesting places in the North, not to mention to Europe by air.

On the other hand, it's a place like so many places in Morocco undergoing some rather painful "development" projects---much of the old charm of the Bouregrag River is being destroyed by Emirati money pouring into a "marina project" with construction---or signs of it---all over the place. It's also an expensive place to live. If you're near your work---either the BC or ALC which are on the same street---you'll need to count on around 5-7000 dh a month rent for a decent apartment if you can find one. If you're not near work, you'll need a car (very expensive with fuel prices right now) or lots of taxi money (a ride from the outskirts to the center of town is 25 dh and up). Either way, you'll have to deal with the traffic problem that all Moroccan cities are facing---the roads weren't designed for the number of cars now on the road. The humidity toward the summer months can also be rather oppressive --- some people simply don't do well living both near the ocean and near a river.

In Agdal (near Amideast) housing is probably a little cheaper, 4-5 thousand dirhams a month I'd say). It's a newer section with a student feeling to it (it's near a number of the faculties) but I'm not sure why someone would come to Rabat to live in a place that is so much like France except without the amenities and culture of France.

You mention you are a couple. That can help, certainly, but if you have kids, that's going to make things very, very hard it terms of schooling, child care, and so forth.

One other thing: Rabat is definitely not a city for people who need "night life". The streets roll up pretty early. In fact, someone who likes that kind of thing would probably do better teaching in Europe or elsewhere where it's really a part of the culture.

I hope this is helpful.

[TwinCentre]

I personally have a less positive opinion on Rabat being a place to live and work BUT not wanting to start an arguement on this thread, can I just advise the original poster to take the time to go and visit Rabat in person before deciding to move there to live and work.

[windsortraveller]

Thank you very much for all of the useful information Medina. It was most appreciated and seemingly insightful. As it stands Morocco is just one option in Africa. The other being Cairo.

Since we already have very good friends there, the transition to African living would be easiest for us in Cairo. Also there are some amazing schools in Egypt. The campuses are vastly superior to what you see in publicly funded education in Canada i.e. full music programs, olympic pools etc. Of course this education isn't cheap, but what worth having is?

Now that I've hijacked my own thread, thank you again for all of your assistance.

P.S. if you know anything about quality ESL schools in Cairo that would be helpful.

[medina]

I also have friends in Cairo and since it's part of Africa, I guess it's all right to mention in this forum. The population of Rabat is probably a little over a million, and Cairo is 18 million and while the minimum monthly wage in Morocco now stands at around the equivalent of $250, in Egypt it's something like $120. So it's hard to even speak of them in the same breath. But EFL (or ESL more properly, since Egyptians learn Arabic, English and French from grammar school on) is very much alive there and TESOL Egypt www.egyptesol.org organizes quite a decent annual conference.
Best of luck if you wind up there (and be careful crossing the street!)

[Hod]

Can I second Cairo.


I heard it's great.

[clandestino]

YEah, sure Egypt would be great, fantastic! If there is a TEFOL industry there why am I not seeing any adverts though? I could be wrong but i realy don't think there are many reputable schools able to provide a decent job in a good school. I know of the British Council in Cairo and AMIDEAST but where else could one apply to in Egypt? I really do want to be prooved wrong here because having lived there i have to agree that it is a fantastic place to live!

Thanks