Job Discussion Forums

Al-Larry MilkShake Habibi · Joined: 28 Feb 2012 Posts: 3 Location: Jeddah, KSA

Hello all. This is my first post. Just started working at KAU in Jeddah. I landed about a week ago and I'm still a little jet-laggie. Shocked

I have read mostly postive things about my new workplace - The ELI, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. If anyone has any advice about Jeddah and/or the ELI at KAU, I would welcome it very much. Thanks!!

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

Hello back at you!

A couple of sites to get you acquainted with Jeddah:

http://www.expat-blog.com/forum/viewforum.php?id=534
http://www.jeddahfood.com/

DirtGuy · Joined: 28 Dec 2004 Posts: 529

Hoping to join you there soon.

Given that the housing allowance is nothing great, I and I'm sure others would love to hear how you make out on this front.

DirtGuy

Al-Larry MilkShake Habibi · Joined: 28 Feb 2012 Posts: 3 Location: Jeddah, KSA

Hi Dirt.
So far, things are going OK. I got 10,000sr on my second day to help out with finding a place. I already have my Residence Permit (Igima). I got some great advice and support from the other teachers. I think there are around 200. The housing allowance is a little low, but I found a very nice apt. about 1/2 a mile from campus that went for 20,000sr, so I only have to pay around 250Sr a month to make up the difference.

Hatcher · Joined: 20 Mar 2008 Posts: 602

HI
Can u suggest a real estate agent as I am arriving to work at KAU next week and want a place near campus.

EnglishDoYouSpeakIt · Joined: 19 May 2009 Posts: 151 Location: Saudi Arabia

Easy_as_ABC! · Joined: 07 Mar 2012 Posts: 10

Hi Al-Larry
I'm also due to start work at KAU in the next few weeks and was hoping if you could give a further update as to how your getting on especially with the working conditions and How the students respond in lessons. Is it the headway books that they use and are teachers expected to sometimes work on Thursday's? Is there any opportunity to play football (soccer) or any other sport? Any feedback would be great. Thanks.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I envy you. Jeddah is a vibrant and dynamic place. I rememeber my first arrival in September 1970.

Easy_as_ABC! · Joined: 07 Mar 2012 Posts: 10

Hi scot47
It's almost refreshing to read somebody envy's anybody going to teach in Saudi. I've mainly read negative descriptions of experiences of others all based on their findings which I respect of course however I thought teflers only went to Saudi for the money but if I could benefit from a vibrant and dynamic place then all the better.

DirtGuy · Joined: 28 Dec 2004 Posts: 529

I strongly second ABC's statement. It'd be great to hear some good as well as all the bad.

DirtGuy

Easy_as_ABC! · Joined: 07 Mar 2012 Posts: 10

Hi Dirtguy
Finally made contact, if all goes well we'd probably meet in Jeddah. Also in relation to another one of your posts I've read some conspiracy theories of how the online filing system here in the uk is down almost forcing individuals to use visa agents who some say are a monopoly owned by one of the princes. All I can say is that I wouldn't be surprised but it's an expense I could do without but what do you think the chances are of claiming the money back of KAU?