Job Discussion Forums

[metalval]

I got an offer from King Abdulaziz. The pay is ok (SR 10,000) but they don't cover the tuition. I was quite surprised since I know in Saudi they pay for childrens' education. I asked them about it and they said they don't cover it. So, I guess any further negotiations are in vein, right?
So, I guess I have a few options left - come along to Saudi and let the daughter stay at home with a husband and go to school, come with her and miss a year of schooling or pay myself. In a later case I wouldn't be able to save much. How much the tuition is? Not the best American and British schools but at least average, the "ok" ones? Can I afford it?
Also, I have an offer from Oman, Dhofar University but they pay $2000 a month and the reputation of a university is pretty bad. I don't know which way to go. Any advice would be appreciated.

[Citizenkane]

[isabel]

Do your family a favor and go to Oman, There is more to life than money, and Dofar is at least beautiful and free.

The cost lf living is less in Oman, also. I would check your figures on the amount they offered- it sounds too low.

[metalval]

$ 2 000 is low? They pay $3 000 in Saudi, I guess they don't pay more in Oman. They pay more to Americans but I'm not. My offer for the year is
10 000 Omani Riyahls so that's $ 2 000 a month.

[isabel]

[007]

[trapezius]

OMR 10,000/year = $2,165/month

Your best option is to go with the Oman offer, but try to negotiate your salary up a bit, say, to about $2,300 a month, maybe $2,500, but I doubt they would raise it so much, if at all. Since you didn't say, I take it that they pay for schooling? If so, that's a much better offer overall, even if the salary is $500 less per month than in Saudi. And you can try to make the difference smaller by negotiating, as I said.

I don't know where you are from, and I don't know what kind of school you would like your daughter to go to, but more importantly, I don't know how old your daughter is. Aside from the few Western-managed Western-curriculum schools in Jeddah (~ SR. 30,000-50,000/year, depending on age), there are several Western-curriculum Arab/Asian-managed 'international' schools. They are obviously cheaper, about half of the Western ones.

Hope that helps.

[jdl]

Metalval,
1. Dhofar University does not pay tuition either so you would be in the same situation either in KSA or Salalah as far as the tuition goes. Salalah does have a British School, and Indian School and a Pakistani school. Of Course there are local all girls high schools (grade 7 and up) which can be quite good. The mixed elementary schools are not as good since the boys are not nearly as motivated toward education. If your daughter is grade 7 or up then the local girls school would provide her with good access to education.
2. The pay you quote is for a 10 month academic year which works out to about 2500 usd/month for 10 months. Housing and return airfare for you and your daughter should be in addition. This is an average salary for a beginning or minimally qualified instructor.
3. Dhofar University is moving to a newly constructed campus but this is in progress and will not be complete for a year or so. It is as good a work environment as you will find....problems and all. Several of my colleagues work at Dhofar and they have the same issues as found at most institutions...no worse...no better. My colleagues manage quite well.
4. One can save 1/2 to 2/3 ones salary if the local bars and 4 star hotels are not frequented. Cost of living has risen in the last year but still a bargain.
5. Your issue is not a choice of KSA or Oman it is one of family. Think that one through very carefully! A young family separated by half a globe must be very strong to remain a family. Of course such separation in space is one good way to put a familial relationship to an end. Work out the family issues and the rest will fall into place.
6. The lifestyle, climate and ease of living in Salalah is outstanding! If you check the Oman board you will see much less griping about work etc.

[metalval]

Thank you so much for your comments. I do appreciate them.
My daughter is 8 years old, she will go to the 3rd grade.
They are giving Educational supplement 1000 OR (for accompanying child) in Oman. The contract there is actually for 12 months, not 10.
In terms of Saudi, I was thinking about giving her to some international schools of 2-3 000 $ a year (I hope it's possible) otherwise I will not be able to afford it.
Does anybody know about work there in terms of teaching? Do they have set-up syllabus? Do they use books? My further plans are to gain experience and to move to Qatar or Kuwait in the future, so I really need to gain a lot of experience. I know the life in Saudi is tough, but I heard Jeddah is more relaxed and on seaside so I'll be able to swim.

[Citizenkane]

[007]

[Citizenkane]

[chanchanhae]

[metalval]

I know about some universities where they actually don't use books and don't have a set-up curriculum. The teachers are kind of on their own. They search for stuff in the internet and that's about it.
Yes, I opt for Oman, although as far as I can see the standards of living are much lower. But first I need to get an approvment from their Ministry of Higher Education which is in the process right now. I don't know if they approve or not so I needed to have some backup.

[isabel]