Job Discussion Forums

[PierogiMonster]

So I shall start my first year in the Gulf in September, at Ibri College.

From what I call see, Ibri's going to be pretty quiet - OK.

But what about the college? There's a recent thread calling it a 'nightmare'. Any other thoughts from current or ex-teachers? Also, anyone else bitten the bullet and heading that way in September?

Cheers

[PierogiMonster]

... tumbleweed blows lazily across the hot, deserted streets of Ibri ...

[No_Longer_Surprised]

ICT-ELC has a HOD who arrived in January who is not qualified for the postion and sorely lacks "people skills". Along with him, he brought in a couple of "bad hires". The kind of bad hires that sleep at their desks, don't do lesson plans, don't keep gradebooks, don't dress or groom professionally, who miss classes or are late to class, who don't know boundries, and even one who takes a dog into the local restaurants/shopping centers.

But in spite of this, there are a number of hard working instructors who "make the system work". At ICT, align yourself with this group. The students and other staff respect them. The HOD and those few bad hires are simply not important. Go, do a good job, be professional, and you will be fine. Enjoy.

[shadowfax]

I took a look at the campus on the website 360 degree photo. There seem to be some smoke stacks around?? Is there air pollution around the campus and residential areas???

How does it all compare with the Nizwa post they are advertising?

[usa_in_gulf]

shadowfax wrote:

[veiledsentiments]

[usa_in_gulf]

Locally--both Nizwa and Ibri "fly under the radar".

By size and population, Ibri is much larger than Nizwa. Ibri is the largest interior area town/village with about 100,00 people. It is the government seat for the interior area. Students at both colleges come from all over the interior areas. The difference is that Nizwa has a small compact "downtown" area with a Pizza Hut, Hungry Bunny, and a couple of hotels that serve "adult drinks". Ibri is much more spread out with a lot more open space, etc and it has only one hotel that has dancers and serves "adult drinks".

A thought, some instructors at one of the colleges were asked to move to Nizwa for the upcoming academic year by thier agency--they did not want to make the move--prefering Ibri to Nizwa. In the end, no one was forced to make the move.

Additonally, Ibri, in my opinion, is geographically much better. Its only 1.25 hours to Al Ain, 2.25 hours to Abu Dabi, 2.5 hours to both Dubai and Muscat.

[PierogiMonster]

Thanks for all that.

I am - and shall be - one of the professionals, as opposed to the others. So it's just a question of keeping my eyes open and my head down, doing a good job and thinking of the money. (Mind you, if I HAD to be transferred to Muscat ...)

[usa_in_gulf]

In my opinion--and in the opinion of a lot of people who prefer the interior regions, Muscat is not all that!! Not even close!! Horrible, horrible traffic...high rent...not culturally rich like the interior...etc, etc, etc After one or two trips, you have seen it and done it! (Again, in my opinion.)


You never know... you may fall in love with Ibri!! Stranger things have happened!!

Good luck!

[PierogiMonster]

Interesting. I kinda thought that, Muscat being the capital, it would be the obvious choice. Live and learn, as they say - which is what I intend to do.

So what aspects of 'the interior' appeal to you - apart, of course, from being away from the usual city hassles e.g. traffic? A closer conncetion to the people, perhaps? The geography? Do tell!

[veiledsentiments]

It is always a matter of personal choice. As a female and already knowing Oman, I wouldn't really consider many other places to live... certainly not the villages of the interior... but it depends on your lifestyle. There is more anonymity in the city and expat women on their own are not such an object of unwanted attention. I considered the traffic in Muscat to be OK, but it is a relative thing depending on where you have lived before. And where you live in relation to your work. I was always very close so I never had a commute longer than 5 minutes. To me (after living in Cairo and some American urban areas), Muscat feels almost like a small town. It is just very spread out.

And because of the normal late night flight hours, I prefer the proximity of the airport. Some like Muscat because it is on the water or because of more choice for night life and cultural activities. I have found that those who choose the life in the interior villages are those who enjoy lots of outdoor activities like hiking and camping... and of course, wadi bashing.

VS

[slaqdog]

[veiledsentiments]

If you fly in from North America, you invariably seem to arrive after midnight... often well after midnight. The idea of then driving for a few hours to get home doesn't appeal... nor does staying in a hotel.

VS

[usa_in_gulf]

PierogiMonster wrote:

[PierogiMonster]

Once again, thanks for your replies and for taking the time. usa_in_gulf: I love the image of you writing in a tent in the mountains! I can hardly advise you to 'get out more', can i?

And, yes, VS, I'll definitely be into the walking and camping scene. So I suppose I should bring over my walking boots, stricks and backpack, right?

Yes, I am one of those people/teachers who prefers to get to know the local culture rather than live in a foreign version of Main St USA / High St UK (I'm English). In fact, I'm having regular Arabic lessons now to get as much language as I can before I arrive (inshallah).

Also good to hear about the low turnover rate at ICT (although, of course, one shouldn't only listen to the good news: I'll put it all in the mix).

One thing, usa_in_gulf, what does the acronym MOM mean? I missed that one.

And, for those times when you've just gotta get away for the weekend, is it easy enough? E.g. such places as Al Ain, Abu Dabi, Dubai and Muscat ... are there fairly cheap hotels (or hostels) to stay at for a weekend break?

Thanks again.