Job Discussion Forums

basiltherat · Joined: 04 Oct 2003 Posts: 952

hi
anybody have any info on efl teaching in aden besides the info on job journal. thnx
regards
basil

basiltherat · Joined: 04 Oct 2003 Posts: 952

ok. just done a search on esl cafe. got some info from back in april mostly about risks/kidnappings. any more up to date info esp on places/institutes to work for would be welcome.
thnx
basil

Eijse · Joined: 17 Dec 2003 Posts: 119 Location: Yemen (Aden)

basiltherat · Joined: 04 Oct 2003 Posts: 952

yes. i have been in discussion with them too. they sent me a contract outline. i can send u a copy if you wish. other than that, ......? ..... By the contact ive had with them, they sound reasonable but, well ..... u never know
rgrds
basil

Eijse · Joined: 17 Dec 2003 Posts: 119 Location: Yemen (Aden)

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Yemen is like Saudi Arabia without the money.

If you want to spend time in an Islamic scoiety, at least go to a place where you get some financial reward for the horror !

Eijse · Joined: 17 Dec 2003 Posts: 119 Location: Yemen (Aden)

basiltherat · Joined: 04 Oct 2003 Posts: 952

i agree. maybe im just an oddball or perhaps its the time ive spent in predominantly islamic countries (experience). i personally am struck by the stream of comments that refer to gulf and middle eastern contries as being hell or extremely tough to work in for lengthy periods. i dont find that to be the case. perhaps it helps that i dont indulge in many of the so-called western vices (booze,drugs and cravings for constant sexual contact with local women) but rather spend my time in more ''responsible'' and constructive persuits. ive spent 24 years in indonesia, 12 months in saudi and now over a year in syria. i cant say im any worse for wear as a result. i feel ive still got my head screwed firmly on.
i tend to srug my shoulders too at those who whinge about life in these places.
maybe i should try a country like poland (non-islamic) to experience living there. perhaps that will enlighten me to wat ive been missing.
rgrds
basil

Eijse · Joined: 17 Dec 2003 Posts: 119 Location: Yemen (Aden)

Truth Hurts · Joined: 05 Jul 2003 Posts: 115 Location: Truthville

Basil

I think that's an admirable sentiment! It certainly resonates with my attitude to the ME. I myself have often thought about Yemen. The old city of Sana'a sounds really charming. And the people in my experience are possibly some of the warmest in the region - uncorrupted by oil wealth and ugliness of urban life.

As I've said elsewhere, if in your extremly narrow view of the ME (including KSA) it is so grim and miserable, why stay?

Tax free salary? Now, that is what I call seriously miserable! Sad

TH

Eijse · Joined: 17 Dec 2003 Posts: 119 Location: Yemen (Aden)

ntropy · Joined: 11 Oct 2003 Posts: 671 Location: ghurba

I worked and lived in Yemen for 5 years.

The cost of living is extremely low.Most Yemenis get by on 2-3 dollars per day. Things are cheap IF YOU LIVE LIKE A YEMENI. They charge Westerners more automatically since we're perceived of as rich. Bargain in the markets. It's expected. The men spend inordinate amounts on qat, which they chew daily.

It is not like KSA without the money. The people are warm and the students have a distinct lack of arrogance those north of the border have. I really enjoyed my students and their attitudes.

Yemen is not safe, however. Check the web for articles in The Yemen Times or Yemen Observor. Recently, a man in Sanaa was going around stabbing foreigners with his jambiyyah, a "ceremonial/decorational" dagger. Not just Americans. He went after a German and Dutch.

Kidnappings of Westerners still occur regularly for money but the recent Al-quaeda/Iraqi developments have also spurred anti-Western sentiment which makes it distinctly dangerous. Kidnappees are being killed for the first time as they're being taken for political, not financial, reasons. There is an active Al Qaeda cell near Aden operating actively.

The government does not control large parts of the country. The tribes hold sway in much of the hinterland and there is frequent inter-tribal or tribal-govt conflict and battles.

Several times I had to let students out of class for the day to join "battles" in their village.

Fantastic place but maybe not the best time to be there.

Eijse · Joined: 17 Dec 2003 Posts: 119 Location: Yemen (Aden)

k2everest · Joined: 29 Dec 2003 Posts: 8

I haven't lived in Yemen, but I know several people who have, and they loved it. Anyway, those considering going there should read, if they haven't already, Yemen: Travels in Dictionary Land, by long-time San'a resident Tim Mackintosh-Smith (he has also recently done a new translation of the Travels of Ibn Battuta, the great 14th century Arab traveller).

Eijse · Joined: 17 Dec 2003 Posts: 119 Location: Yemen (Aden)