Job Discussion Forums

Peggy Sue Higgenbottom · Joined: 28 Aug 2010 Posts: 6 Location: Ha'il, Saudi Arabia

Are you coming to Ha'il as a lecturer? Wondering about the city?
Got questions about the university? Want the phone number for a cab driver in case the recruiting company forgets to send you one?

I haven't got all the answers- but maybe I can offer a bit of advice....
Please realize that I may sugarcoat the truth, however, since I still live and work in Ha'il. Cheers, Peggy Sue
peggysue4321 (at mark) gmail.com

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

If you don't want that email address that be bombarded with spam by the programs that pick-up email addresses from this type of board, you may want to make it so that only humans can read it. Cool

VS

johnslat · Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2010 3:04 pm Post subject:

Dear veiledsentiments,

What??? You mean there are actually humans on these forums. YIKES!!!!!

Regards,
John

capthappy20002000 · Joined: 08 Aug 2010 Posts: 33

Hi,

It was a great surprise to find someone who is offerring so much help. I have some questions as I am seriously considering applying to the U of Ha'il as an EFL Lecturer. I would be arriving there as a single (no spouse and no children).

1. What are the real holidays (i.e. when can I leave and when am I expected to return)?
2. What are the motivation levels of the students?
3. What are the classrooms like (i.e. technology equipment, problems with a/c etc. etc.)?
4. What are the compounds like? For example, are there markets to buy groceries (meats and fresh fruits etc.), exercise rooms, swimming pool etc. Are the compounds on the university grounds? What is the community of foreigners like? friendly? outgoing? polite? or.....
5. Do you feel safe in the housing? Are there guards?
6. What is the housing like? 1-room, 2-room, furniture?
7. What is management like? Autocratic, Democratic, etc.?
8. Is the public transportation system in Jeddah sufficient to get around easily?
9. Are restaurants and cafes close to the housing compound?

Thanks so much!

Never Ceased To Be Amazed

Peggy Sue Higgenbottom · Joined: 28 Aug 2010 Posts: 6 Location: Ha'il, Saudi Arabia

Hello,
All valid questions. I'd be more than happy to offer my opinion on all of them if you send a quick note with your email to my email address.
Thank you so much. Cheers! Peggy peggysue4321(at mark)gmail.com

Grendal · Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2010 8:35 pm Post subject:

Dear capthappy20002000,

Hail is a city surrounded by volcanic rock formations. There is no sea as there is at Jeddah. The university is expanding and the teachers for the prep year should (Inshallah) be on a brand spankin new campus this year. They offer housing for teachers and you also get a housing allowance so you can find your own place for around 16000 to 17000 SAR per anum. I had a personal interview with Mr. D. and understood that motivation levels are about the same as I've experienced around Saudi. But how do you measure motivation? It's not tangible. I can't say well he did well on his test he must be motivated. Perhaps he was in a bad mood, had a cold, and was sleepy but knew the subject well and did well on the test. This looks good on the outside but seems to lack the attributes that qualify a student being motivated. Since this is a really rural city the students are from surrounding farms and villages and they are in general more hospitable than big city folk. As for restaurants, you can find a Pizza Hut, KFC, and a Micky D's all in proximity to each other. Yes you can find fresh fruit and vegetables at their supermarkets and (if you are a male) there are sports clubs you can join that will fulfill all your physical needs.

If peggysue can concur or correct some of this info for all to benefit then I would greatly appreciate it.

Grendal

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Humans ? E X T E R M I N A T E !

Peggy Sue Higgenbottom · Joined: 28 Aug 2010 Posts: 6 Location: Ha'il, Saudi Arabia

Thank you Mr Grendal. I'd say all of that is correct. Also, Ha'il is not a large city, and there is no public transport, but taxis are rather cheap.
The housing is safe and probably as nice as you will find for free in the ESL world. For the holiday schedule, please check

http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/intl/index.pl?page=1;read=18091

Chaudhry · Joined: 22 Aug 2009 Posts: 59

Hail = End of the world where no weeds can grow and vultures fly around. dont go there.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2010 12:22 pm Post subject:

You people are funny! Laughing

Ever since the age of two, nobody ever had to tell me NOT to touch a glowing heating element!

Good advice, Chaudhry! Laughing

NCTBA