Job Discussion Forums

[gungediana]

I start my Masters in TESOL this month, I'm excited about it now....anyway I digress.

Obviously in your standard contract for Saudi you get a month's holiday in the summer (paid or unpaid depending on the employer). Obviously you can go abroad during this time to visit home etc. My question is; are there any other opportunities to get away for more than just a long weekend during the year? What do foreign teachers usually do during Eid etc?

Thanks once again for tolerating a naive newbie like me on these boards.

I do answer people's questions on other boards. And I have a Korean avatar for that too. So I do try and give as well as take.

[johnslat]

Dear gungediana,
Depends on whom you work for - at the Institute of Public Administration, we'd get more like 50 or even 60 days in the summers. I think most, if not all, of the government jobs, universities, etc. do that.
The Eids will give you anywhere between 7 to 9 days each (depending on when they start - if 2 weekends are in there, you'd get nine) and many teachers travel during those times.
If you don't travel then, well, you relax, watch TV, read, surf the Net or do anything else available locally that strikes your fancy.
Regards,
John

[veiledsentiments]

Once you have your MA, the normal acceptable university jobs in the Gulf provide 45-90+ days of paid vacation in the summer... plus you are provided with a paid ticket to your official home country. The average paid summer leave is 60. I had 60 in Oman and the UAE, 45 in Oman, and 90 in Kuwait and Egypt. (and in Egypt, we also got Eastern and Western Christmas and Easter...)

Then there are usually a couple weeks between semesters, the two Eids, and some places have a mid-semester break during the second semester. In my first years I traveled on all the holidays, but... I got tired of trying to figure out exactly when they would begin and end... and the last years I just relaxed and saved up for the big summer trips.

VS

[felton]

Congratulations on deciding to start your advanced education! I just finished my program, and I have to say it was worth it.
I can confirm that IPA gives 60 days of vacation a year.

[Linguist]

[gungediana]

Wow amazing, I wasn't quite sure how much holiday time people got, so I tried to estimate it on the conservative side,..........rock on!

Also I've been considering Bell/KSU as a first job, and I they only get 30. I guess when I have some post-MA middle eastern experience under my belt I'll be able to get a job with much better pay and conditions and more holiday time.

It's good that you can get a whole week off for Eid and during semester breaks, very convenient. Does anyone if you get semester breaks off at Bell/KSU.

Thanks for the responses.

[veiledsentiments]