| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
lizziebennet
Joined: 24 May 2009
Posts: 355
|
 Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 5:12 pm Post subject: Latest ISM Update |
 |
|
| Quote: |
Dear Candidates,
Thank you all for your patience. I am writing to you all today to give you a bit of a sit-rep.
Many of you may have read some of the posts of various websites regarding the situation in Saudi. We have spoken to EDEX and they have confirmed that King Abdullah has postponed all term dates until the end of October and they are looking to start the first semester around the week beginning Saturday 31st October.
Some of you have had visas issued, but for the majority EDEX is still waiting to hear about visas from the ministry of foreign affairs.
As you know we have been working really hard with EDEX to try and get your visa�s issued. As you can imagine we are just as frustrated as you are, in light of these delays and are working closely with our partners in Saudi to ensure that these delays are not prolonged. One of our regional directors in Saudi will be meeting with EDEX senior management in Riyadh, to assess what is causing this delay.
EDEX have advised us, once your visa�s are issued you may be expected to travel to Saudi within 7-10 days.
Pleas accept our apologies, but we hope that your appreciate that this is now out of our control and we are working with EDEX who are in turn working with the Ministry of Foreign affairs to resolve this as quickly as possible.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any queries. We hope to be in touch with you all with an update by the end of the week.
Best Regards,
Carol |
See, it seems there is nothing to worry about and the visas are still being processed. As I said previously, these uni classes may start on Oct 31st. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Cleopatra
Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago
|
| Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 5:18 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| your visa�s issued |
Just when we were on the subject of typos (or should that be typo's?) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
lazycomputerkids
Joined: 22 Sep 2009
Posts: 360
Location: Tabuk
|
| Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 5:32 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Cleopatra wrote: |
| Quote: |
| your visa�s issued |
Just when we were on the subject of typos (or should that be typo's?) |
The use of an apostrophe to denote plurality is rare.
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/plurals.htm |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Cleopatra
Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago
|
| Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 5:35 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Having skimmed the letter again, it seems the (repeatedly and inconsistently) misplaced apostrophe's were far from being the only error. I'm no grammar fascist and can overlook the odd typo or even syntax error..... but several errors in a business letter from a company supposedly hiring English teachers?!? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Kalima Shahada
Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Posts: 198
Location: I live in a house, but my home is in the stable.
|
| Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 6:11 pm Post subject: Re: Latest ISM Update |
|
|
| lizziebennet wrote: |
| See, it seems there is nothing to worry about and the visas are still being processed. As I said previously, these uni classes may start on Oct 31st. |
Yes, it turns out that you were right after all.
Considering that we were expecting to start a month sooner, and we are not being compensated for this delay, I think it's something to be concerned about. I, for one, I have a splitting headache right now. There is no doubt in my mind that ISM/EDEX will not be able to count on the number of teachers they had originally hoped for as many of us will (in the meantime) be looking for employment elsewhere. What this means is that the teachers who end up finally going will be loaded down with extra teaching hours and responsibilities to make up for the ones who decided to withdraw. I'm not sure I can pack enough migrane medication ... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Linda467
Joined: 01 Sep 2009
Posts: 138
Location: A Secret
|
| Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 9:32 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Kalima
Really sorry to hear. I know how you feel and it is very difficult to make a decision either way, and I know there is still quite a few of you still waiting, some really nice people that are living off their savings and just waiting.
In my case I just couldn�t wait any longer, had to bail out due to home and personal logistics previous arrangements, so I wish you all good luck
Lizzie,
So sorry, I�ll be missing training with you  you sound like a great pal |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Stephen Jones
Joined: 21 Feb 2003
Posts: 4124
|
| Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 10:17 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| Yes, it turns out that you were right after all. |
I don't know about the particular institution you will be working for but EDEX has it quite wrong.
University classes start on the 3rd Oct, Senior School classes on the 10th Oct, and Lower School Classes on the 17th Oct. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
reneebcc
Joined: 26 Jan 2009
Posts: 60
Location: Georgia
|
| Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 11:21 pm Post subject: Situation |
|
|
This situation IS a headache for everyone waiting. However, for some it's not that easy to just back out because our passports and all other documents are in the hands of the embassy in washington. Alot of us are feeling depressed emotionally and financially.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Never Ceased To Be Amazed
Joined: 22 Oct 2004
Posts: 3500
Location: Shhh...don't talk to me...I'm playin' dead...
|
| Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 3:00 am Post subject: |
|
|
I think the sadness effects us all, both the hopeful and the vets who have been counselling against this vile, new entity called "recruiters". My regards, Linda. saudi recruitment is not what it used to be. I think it really comes down to the point that if you've got the creds of a seasoned professional, yer golden, if you don't yer fodder. The saudis that I always worked with made it clear that they thought that I, with my B.A., was simply stealing money from them.
It is my belief that saudi has caught on to this and this latest scheme is simply a message to those of us out there to...either upgrade your cred and show that yer for real or be ready to get abused.
NCTBA |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Kalima Shahada
Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Posts: 198
Location: I live in a house, but my home is in the stable.
|
| Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 3:33 am Post subject: |
|
|
NCTBA,
Correct me if I'm wrong, but after reading your posts, it seems that you did indeed 'update' your 'cred' and yet you were still abused. You aren't even in Saudi anymore and you say you are being treated much better.
Look, I've known people with PhDs who've been 'abused' in Saudi. I mean how much more can a person update past their doctorate?! Fact of the matter is, unless your surname is Al Saud, you will be abused sooner or later. Even being a member of the Al Saud family is not in and of itself a get-out-of-abuse free card. So if you think that just updating your credentials will save you, you are either in denial or delusional. Either that or you need to step down from off your high horse and get a grip. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
|
| Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 5:12 am Post subject: |
|
|
The key is to do what NCTBA did... get out of Saudi. If you have an MA or PhD, you have many more countries to choose from...
VS |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
lizziebennet
Joined: 24 May 2009
Posts: 355
|
| Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 6:37 am Post subject: |
|
|
Well I am not backing out.
I am a bit lucky because if I wanted to work in Cape Town I have contacts who I can cover for at about 3 schools. I have chosen not to work and just have a break and spend time with my grandparents.
I guess other people are not so fortunate.
Sad to see some of you dropping out! Who exactly is dropping out? Is it just Linda? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Linda467
Joined: 01 Sep 2009
Posts: 138
Location: A Secret
|
| Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 11:38 am Post subject: |
|
|
NCTBA,
Regards back and while at it I wanted to tell you a little something to make you all smile.
I went down to the Saudi Embassy to submit all my paperwork for my visa and listen to this:
- Was treated more courteous by the Saudis that my half nationals
- My visa and passport will be ready by tomorrow afternoon, actually less than 24 hrs turn around
- I had the pleasure to make one of the Diplomatic license plate cars wait for me while I was driving out and guess what, he was pissed  - my car just as big family sedan like his and he had to wait for me, I wouldn�t back down
I am always respectful but in my country they play by our rules  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
007
Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 2684
Location: UK/Veteran of the Magic Kingdom
|
| Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 11:47 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Linda467 wrote: |
I had the pleasure to make one of the Diplomatic license plate cars wait for me while I was driving out and guess what, he was pissed - my car just as big family sedan like his and he had to wait for me, I wouldn�t back down
I am always respectful but in my country they play by our rules |
Well, I gues the Chauffeur of the Diplomatic license plate car is only the other half-national of Zulu! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
|
| Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 2:30 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I'm confused Linda... up the page you said that you were bailing out... but further down the page, you went to the Saudi embassy and got your visa? So, is it all back on?
Are we all having fun yet playing the Saudi visa game?
VS |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
