Job Discussion Forums

[buildbyflying]

So it's me again.
Just noticed that the thread had picked up some momentum:wink:... and in it's whirling dervish, it has managed to spawn some interesting tangents (which got it locked).

So I thought I'd bring everything back to the start, ever calmly, and state what has happened with me. Not that anyone cares (not that I care that anyone cares, but I wish you were here.)

I'm no longer studying at SIT. After one year of hearty mud-slinging, I've decided to study elsewhere. That means starting from scratch as SIT classes don't transfer (no grades). Both myself and the other original SIT/INTERLINK fellow have left the uni. Brattleboro's beautiful, but it's hard to overlook how poorly the YU situation was handled. For those of you who want to bash the grads... go ahead. Stick a fork in me. I'm done.

You're right to say YU all went downhill with SIT. Two of us in particular stood up and asked for change, and got little support from others. Not from previous SIT grads who had made similar complaints. Not from co-workers who would later get the axe. There were a few (and thanks to you.) Layla. Bryan. You're great teachers.

I'm teaching in Korea now. Seoul. Conveniently located behind Yonsei, within walking distance to Hongdae, Ehwa, and Sinchon (for those who know). It's great here. Contracts can be a bit of a downer, but after Saudi, I can say perspective now comes easy.

The pay isn't nearly as impressive, but I'm actually enjoying my life. That's a big difference. I haven't stepped inside a single shopping mall since arriving.

Looking back on my experience at YU, had I another ten years to wisen up, I might not have been as bull-headed. I gained ten-years of knowledge right then and there. Even the SILC management meant well in their own way. There's really only one choice for SILC mgmt: Shovel the zhit, or be shoveled. If you have to make zhitty decisions, it doesn't mean you have a good job and tough choices. It means you have a zhitty job.

Money's not worth it. It's not worth living in Saudi. Whether you like it or not, you're complicit to the BS of the cities of sand. You're complicit to slavery and ignorance and terrorism and you know what I am too. Because I was there. I'm not saying to change; just own up to it. Apologize for you masters if you want (after all they do own you quite literally -- how bout leaving the country without permission?) but ultimately they owe you nothing and won't think twice about making you sell your new car or your home should the need arise.

This is for any current fellows and future fellows. And lurkers, trolls and the like, you're welcome as well. But neither YU nor SIT can be trusted. Neither will come to your aid should it come down to YU and you. The good people of SIT are shiny and happy, all wind chimes, dream catchers, zen gongs, and Birkenstocks, but they're too damn comfortable to let you get in the way. They have shown that you are at best a third priority behind their jobs and the reputations. They will not hesitate to throw you to the wolves. Our advisor was a trusted woman, whom we invited into our home. One who told us how much she felt for us and our situation. But when it came time to stand with us she stabbed us in the back. Even our SMAT cohorts kept silent. They weren't alowed to mention our names for the summer as it was a "legal matter". Our Peace Corps hippies were impotent.

And now, some fellows apparently can't even get their visas. What month is it now? January? Some four months after the fact. I've done what I can to warn you. Your incompetence is not my fault. My incompetence was enough for two. But there's nothing I can say that'll change anything anyway. I was harping on this since the day I arrived in Saudi. My personal life suffered, my teaching suffered. To say my teaching didn't meet standards by the time I left would be a lie. But it was directly connected to my situation. You know what? When they came to kick me out of my house (which wasn't my house) I grabbed my balls and pointed. Was it inappropriate? Sure. Was I insane because I had been pushed to my wits end? That too. But some of you would have done the same. And those who wouldn't are either cowards, or far wiser than I. I hope you genuinely know the difference.

Good luck in the new year.

[lazycomputerkids]

[Citizenkane]