Job Discussion Forums

cokdeliyabanci · Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 5

Some advice- this is the Turkish northern third of the island of Cyprus. It is not internationally recognised as yet by anyone apart from Turkey. A sad history but please NEVER believe the Greek-Greek Cyprot propaganda. A good book to read is "The Genocide Files, by Harry Scott Gibbons.

OK Teaching stuff- geograhically it is very small, but still has 5 universities: most students come from mainland Turkey, with a smaller number from the arab countries, Palestine, Iraq and China.

3 of the Universities are private, 1 'Government' and 1 charitable foundation. Most problems will come from the private ones and I suggest you avoid any "American" connected ones.

Normal problems as per Turkish students- many are not up to university education, and the English foundation programes are not long or rigerous enough to get non-English speakers to graduate level study.

Most student related problems are with- cheating, which is endemic, lack of interest, lack of language ability, expecting to pass graduate courses when they cannot speak or write basic English e.g., what's your name, or construct a simple sentence. I jest not!

Pay: Poor by many standards and in the private universities lucky if you get it! Mainly: not paid on time, getting net when you agreed gross salary; taking your social insurance/income tax and not paying it to the government. Not getting you a work permit, which means you have no health cover and are technically illegal! Not getting signed work contract- or getting you to sign it and they keep it unsigned, therefore useless, but they can sign if it's beneficial to them! Get my drift!!!

Work permit get one and make sure you get it done within 2 months max- keep the pressure on them.

Basically you have to do what you are told and may be asked to teach subjects you know nothing about. Unlike western style universites there is no democracy or unions. What the Rector or Board of Trustees says goes-or you go!

It's a nice place to live but working here is another matter if you are a teacher. They have a lot to learn about treating people with respect, honesty and dealing with issues in an adult manner.

Need more information do ask Question

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FGT · Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 762 Location: Turkey

Ghost, is this you?

yaramaz · Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2004 6:23 am Post subject:

Cant be ghost-- he didn't once use the phrases: One feels that.... or.... A certain teacher in a mid sized Anatolyan city...or....the savage barbarians of this treasonous nation.... the horrific and uncalled for mistreatment of one.... Very Happy

cokdeliyabanci · Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 5

:oops:Sorry folks I did get it wrong- in any event you get s***ed at the bank! And no, I am pleased to confirm you all I am not ghost!

A happy chappie who does not want others to get their fingers burnt. We learn from mistakes, and I like to learn from others as well- It's often cheaper! Wink

bluemoray · Joined: 22 Sep 2007 Posts: 43

I have just been offered a position to work in Gire American University (GAU) in North Cyprus.

What would be a decent salary in this part of the world at the university level in Cyprus? I have a Masters of Ed (from the USA) and 15 years teaching experience.

I've read the negative report about this place regarding very slow students in English; being pushed through too quickly and how bad their English is to where they can't answer the question What is your name? In addition, I have been informed of the poor administration tactics including being unprofessional with late pay etc.

I've been working in the Middle East in Oman and also in KSA. The students there are also a handful at the ministry college foundation levels.

Would you say that the situation at the college there is like working in the Middle East as far the job is concerned (NOT THE PLACE) with less pay or is it different or better?

From my research North Cyprus seems to be sort of an unofficial place at least internationally speaking. Turks want control.

Are teachers allowed to roam wherever on Cyprus like to the Greek side as well/

Any one out there can tell me what's the deal about this so called "American" university (which I would be the only American teacher there...the rest being British....which also has a British programme....go figure)

So what's it like working at this place/

Can anyone tell me first hand their experience recently as of 2010?