Job Discussion Forums

mariowski · Joined: 23 Jun 2010 Posts: 18

Does anybody know whne the new academic year will probbaly start for colleges and universities in KSA?

And when do you think they will expect new teachers to arrive in the country?

Is there a possibility that they might ask the eteachers (especially the new ones like me) to be there in the middle of Ramadan?

Thanks..

helenita · Joined: 24 Feb 2009 Posts: 3

Could be just after Ramadan - about 18th September. I don't think that they would ask anyone to arrive in the middle of Ramadan because everything is closed at that time. Or at least - nothing much is happening.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Our reporting date is 18 September. Classes begin on 25

Will this be my last year ?

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

sauditeacher · Joined: 05 Oct 2009 Posts: 44

johnslat · Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 12:36 am Post subject:

Dear sauditeacher,

But, should you ever cross those burning sands, you'll always be welcome here (we have a guest room.)

Regards,
John

sauditeacher · Joined: 05 Oct 2009 Posts: 44

Dear John,
Shukran! I bow in your general direction and, you never know, I just may come by NM someday Smile

Apart from wondering if I could ever construct a home of adobe, I've long wanted to come visit one of your museums that an aunt of a good boyhood friend had been the - founding? - director of: http://siris-archives.si.edu/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=1T8P66098817A.14423&profile=all&uri=link=3100006~!74115~!3100001~!3100002&aspect=Browse&menu=search&ri=2&source=~!siarchives&term=Lange,+Yvonne+(Director+Emerita,+Museum+of+International+Folk+Art),+1918-2003&index= ).

And I'm chuckling: has the hospitality for which the Bedouin have long been famous joined in you with good ol' Southern (South-Western?) hospitality?

edit: sorry Mariowski, for any hijacking of your thread...

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I offer hospitality but am choosier than johnslat about who crosses my portal.

johnslat · Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 3:20 pm Post subject:

Dear sauditeacher,
That museum - The Museum of International Folk Art - is spectacular:

http://www.internationalfolkart.org/

It's one place I always take visitors to here. It's located on Museum Hill, along with three others:

http://www.museumhill.org/explore.php

and contains one of the most amazing collections I've ever seen: the Girard Collection:

http://moifa.org/about/girard.html

Most of the buildings here are faux adobe (that is, built from lumber, concrete blocks, and other common building materials, but with stucco surfaces reflecting the historic style.)

http://www.preservationnation.org/assets/photos-images/preservation-magazine/2008/nov-dec/santafestreet.jpg

Dear scot47,

" . . . but am choosier than johnslat about who crosses my portal."

Lucky for you I'm not as "choosy." Hope to see you here next year, inshallah.

Regards,
John

sauditeacher · Joined: 05 Oct 2009 Posts: 44

Dear John,

Gracias se~nor, Santa Fe' & its museums sound a visitor's delight (A 'Ceud Mile Failte' sign on entering would not surprise).

My considered opinion? It's not just adobe that is at times faux; sometimes those who offer real help to the itinerant, thereby actually evidencing clear proof of an orientation to helping the other, may at other times affect the gruff. Never mind, we know them for who they truly are, beneath occasional flashes of what might too-easily be considered a crusty veneer.

And as I may have already asked, any chance you'll come pay the Kingdom a visit before scot47's exit? A hobby of mine is event organizing; we could have 'A Night with the Felix & Oscar of the KSA Discussion Forum'. It could be a travelling show, from Riyadh to Damman, to Ha'il, and then onto Jeddah and other points west; with all net proceeds to the IPA and a uni of scot47's choice.

PS: Not to omit the spice that leavened these past few years, perhaps Cleopatra and VS could join you two; if not alongside, then via video link? Smile

johnslat · Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2010 10:09 pm Post subject:

Dear sauditeacher,
I'm afraid my days in Saudi are done. For one thing, I don't see how, unless I became a Muslim, I could even get a visa. For another, well, although I do miss friends who are there, nineteen years was enough to quench my thirst for the exotic Desert Kingdom.
Since the Gaelic-speaking Irish population of Santa Fe is relatively small, I dount you'll encounter a "Cead Mile Failte" signboard upon entering the city, However, you will always have a hundred thousand welcomes at our humble (and faux adobe) abode.

(as an aside, I am reminded of the sigh that used to be seen on the highway going from the airport to Riyadh: "You Are Almost Welcome." Too bad that someone finally noticed the mistake since the original sometimes seemed more appropriate.)

Regards,
John