Job Discussion Forums

[sharter]

The ad offers 27,000 GBP a year and accommodation in a guesthouse in Zawia. It also says you'll get 1 return flight a year.

I'm in Libya and used to work for Eni Gas, which is next to Zawia. In fact, the people I taught at Eni came mostly from the Zawia Specific Training Centre. Maybe LS have the contract now.

1. Zawia is a dump and there's nothing to do there at all.
2. Guesthouses in Libya are where they put the Filipinos etc. They are generally appalling. They lack all modcons and are filthy.
3.1 return flight in a country where 6/3 rotations are the norm is derisory and insulting. You will go bonkers stuck in Zawia for 11 months. There is NO expat scene. Your Friday night out will be a shoarma kebab in a roach infested 'cafe'.
4.Tripoli is much the same.
5. 27,000GBP subject to residency status means most of you will pay UK tax as you've probably spent more than 90 days in the UK in the 2010 tax year already. I did a runner from LS in Saudi years ago because they hadn't employed us legally and the pay wasn't what the ad said.

Think before you come to Libya; it's like Mogadishu not Dubai.

[applecrumble]

Would you say that Lang Sols look after your welfare overseas?

Lang Sols give you a business visa so you renew in Malta every 3 - 6 months. Is this normal for Libya?

Doesn't bode well but what was the shortfall with the pay in Saudi?

They also have a shared villa in Tripoli and supply teachers to PQTI in Tripoli.

Is it naive to expect the student profile, 14 - 17yo boys to be respectful in class towards a Western female teacher and not descend into offensive remarks.

Thanks

[sharter]

PTQI grads work in the oil field with people like me. They will respect you in the classroom. Shared villa could be cruddy, could be ok. There is nothing to do in Tripoli....!! As a woman, you will get a lot of attention. The law might not be on your side if that goes wrong.

[applecrumble]

Sharter

Thanks for the reply. The Libyan students I have taught in the UK have been fantastic.

I have heard about the harassment on the street which isn't appealing and a Western woman is always in the wrong. I imagine is like other N. African countries in that respect.

Is the driving really horrendous?

[sharter]

Worst seen ever. PM me.

[applecrumble]

Thanks. Just build up to the 5 posts then will PM. That's really helpful.

I went through Algeria twice in the early 80's. That's my only experience of N.Africa. I could make as much in the UK but thought it would be a fascinating place to work - archaeology, desert life etc.

In S. Oman was confined to the house or army mess or port club/hotels etc. Drove miles along the coast every weekend to camp with the local bedouin which didn't go down too well with the Jebali Dean.