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meyanga
Joined: 02 Mar 2008
Posts: 103
Location: Malaysia
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 Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 6:53 am Post subject: British council compound and other questions |
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Hi
I have applied for British Council post in Jeddah/Riyadh - salary is between 10,960 � 13,660 SR a month + 700 SR transport allowance. Am I correct to assume that this is pretty good? I have 8 years experience, MA(History), CELTA and soon to be held DELTA.
The housing is on secure compound or Diplomatic Quarter (Riyadh). It is of course free and all utilities are also free. Does anyone know what the housing is like? I would be moving with my husband and two young children. What is compound life like? Is there a gym/swimming pool etc? Do people/families tend to socialise together?
Is it commomplace to have a maid? What is the norm - live-in or not? Expensive? Easy to arrange?
What about nurseries? The job is to teach mainly in the evenings - I was thinking of kiddies going to nursery a half day? Does anyone have any experience with nursery in Saudi?
Next question, my husband is a gym instructor/personal trainer - any ideas about this chances of finding work? salary?
I haven't actually been offered a job yet and hadn't really considered Saudi as an option before, so would really appreciate any words of wisdom you may have.
Thanks a lot 
Last edited by meyanga on Thu Jun 05, 2008 7:02 am; edited 1 time in total |
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lall
Joined: 30 Dec 2006
Posts: 358
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| Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 6:59 am Post subject: Spouse |
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I remember having read somewhere that women could not sponsor their husbands for Oman. I'm not sure about the KS of A.
Maybe someone who lives there can help. |
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meyanga
Joined: 02 Mar 2008
Posts: 103
Location: Malaysia
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| Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 7:04 am Post subject: |
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Thanks, I will look into it. It wasn't something I had considered. BC website doesn't mention it.
Thanks |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 9:13 am Post subject: |
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KSA is not Oman and the rules as well as the lifestyle are different. A wife in KSA can sponsor her husband, but technically a dependant cannot work. This is a ruie widely ignored. Usually it is the wife who is sponsored and then works illegally !
Did you not think to ask about this, and related questions at interview ?
I am more familiar with Jeddah and Dhahran than Riyadh. Ask Cleopatra, my Republican friend. |
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Cleopatra
Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago
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| Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 11:36 am Post subject: |
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| Ask Cleopatra, my Republican friend. |
Hmmmm... some reader may need clarification as to just what sort of "Republican" is being referred to here!
But, my Orange friend Scot is right: women can and do sponsor their husbands in KSA, though the reverse situation is more common. As Scot has also said, technically it is illegal for 'dependents' to work, but it goes on quite a lot, usually without incident. As someone who is proud to never have had a gym membership, I'm probably not the best person to ask about your husband's possible employability.
Regarding the Diplomatic Quarter (DQ) it's hard to answer your question as there are many different types of housing available there. The DQ is not a compound - though it is certainly more relaxed than 'downtown' Riyadh, it is not a private housing zone where only residents are allowed access. There are a few sports clubs with swimming pools etc, but these are private - ie you would have to pay a membership fee. Again, I'm not the best person to fill you in on details about these places.
Having a maid/nanny is very much the norm for families with children. So far as I know, it's very easy to arrange one, and their salaries would be very low by British standards. |
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007
Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 2684
Location: UK/Veteran of the Magic Kingdom
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| Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 12:37 pm Post subject: |
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| scot47 wrote: |
| Ask Cleopatra, my Republican friend. |
| Quote: |
| Hmmmm... some reader may need clarification as to just what sort of "Republican" is being referred to here! |
It seems Uncle Scott is referring to Sinn F�in! 
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| But, my Orange friend Scot is right |
Well, I did not know that the Republican, especially the Sinn F�in, and the Orange Order are close friends in the magic kingdom, but are like a cat and mouse in Ireland!
Uncle Scot, do not mess with The Good Friday Agreement. |
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Cleopatra
Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago
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| Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 12:41 pm Post subject: |
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Memo to 007,
Stick to the things you know about. I have no idea what those things may be, but I do know that Norn Iron is not one of them. |
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007
Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 2684
Location: UK/Veteran of the Magic Kingdom
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| Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 12:57 pm Post subject: |
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| Well, may be I will ask one of my Ultach friend to teach me about Norn Iron politics and culture! |
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