Job Discussion Forums

[Soft Machine]

I'm a career ESL teacher with 15+ years experience (mainly in Korea, Japan, and Vietnam), an M.Ed., CELTA, and undergrad degrees in English and Asian Studies. I've been contemplating a move to the Middle East but have a few questions:

- Aside from Dave's, is there a website that advertises university jobs in ME countries?
- I'm married with an infant. Is raising a child in the ME much more of a challenge in terms of medical, schooling, etc. than, say, Korea or China?
- What are average salaries like for ESL teachers with similar backgrounds?
- What was the biggest challenge for you in terms of teaching and living in the ME?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[mishmumkin]

Have you narrowed down your search to a few countries? "The Middle East" is such a broad search area fo such a specific question. Are you thinking specifically of the Gulf States (Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, KSA, Oman, etc.)?

[NadiaK]

Agreed. Your answers would vary wildly depending on country.

[veiledsentiments]

To fully answer your question would require a book. The variance is very large between various "Middle East" countries.

It also depends on your goals too. Are you looking to make the most money or experience another culture?

VS

[Soft Machine]

To narrow it down, money is very important with a kid, but other factors include education, medical and lifestyle. We're both very interested in experiencing the Middle East and are prepared for most of what that encompasses. I guess Qatar, Bahrain, UAE and KSA are the places I was focusing on....I just would like to make an informed decision before relocating my family.

Thanks for the replies.

[mishmumkin]

[veiledsentiments]

[Soft Machine]

My ESL experience has been mainly at universities (11 years), but I've taught English at an elementary school in the USA (1 year....1 year too long) and at camps in Japan and Korea. I've taught businessmen, soldiers, coal miners (avoid coal country in China!), freaks (at an Egyptian language institute filled with rich kids with the sole intent of abusing the teacher, each other and anything else to do with education).

As for educating my child, when I move to the ME I plan to stay for a bit....learn Arabic, travel the area, expose my family to a new culture. That's why I really want to research thoroughly before making the move.

[NadiaK]

The Gulf is quite different from Egypt in pretty much most ways. I'd say the UAE is definitely worth a shot. I've lived in various Middle Eastern countries, and headed towards the UAE mainly because the employers tend to offer more family-friendly packages in the Gulf.

I can't compare anything with either Korea or China, but most *good* employers in the UAE will cover or contribute to education costs (as of the year in which the child turns 5) and medical insurance for children. In terms of day-to-day life, I'd say it would be considerably less challenging to raise children here than in Egypt, which you are already familiar with. Plus you're likely to be making more money, which does tend to make life easier (e.g. you can afford a car, nursery fees etc.)

In terms of exposing your family to a new culture and learning Arabic, to be honest it will be *much* more difficult to do that here (assuming you mean indigenous culture) than in Egypt. Not that the multi-cultural environment wouldn't be beneficial to your kids, but it's just that - multi-cultural. It is hard (though not impossible) to make friends with, or even mix with on a superficial level, locals. If others disagree, please chime in, but I'd hate for you to come with unrealistic expectations in this regard.

Good luck!

NK

[mishmumkin]

Good points, Nadia. Having lived in Egypt and the UAE, I can say that I experienced much more culture shock in the former. But then, you really have to learn the language in order to get around. It is very easy to come to the UAE and fall into your English-speaking community. It's also not-so-easy to jump into Emirati society. Impossible? No. Just very difficult (easier for men than women).

[veiledsentiments]