Job Discussion Forums

vamanos12 · Joined: 26 Jan 2012 Posts: 58

Hi,

Just wondering what opinions are out there about this uni. Is it only in Muscat or in other places in Oman? Does it offer a high enough apt. allowance usually? Are teachers happy there? Working as one big happy expat family?

Any opinions as to how working there would stack up against working for KAU in Jeddah?

vamanos12 · Joined: 26 Jan 2012 Posts: 58

oops...spelling typo-my bad...but kind of funny

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

First... all you have to do is hit the "edit" button on the top right of your post and you can edit the subject line... so as not to embarrass oneself. Laughing

At the choice of any job in Saudi versus SQU... it is a dead easy choice. It would be SQU hands down. That said, if one's only goal is money, Saudi will pay better as it is waaaay richer than Oman.

SQU has one campus in Muscat and they provide furnished housing, not an allowance. Teachers for the most part are happy... it was my first Gulf job back in 1988 and there are still more than a handful of the same teachers that were there then. There is no such thing in the Gulf as "one big happy expat family" and I will assume that was tongue in cheek. Laughing

But, it is one of the best run and managed universities in the Gulf. Not that it is nirvana, but all is relative. The management/administration is mainly Omani and things usually run pretty smoothly. Every once in awhile they come up with some crazy idea (see thread about their latest idea on the travel tickets... we don't yet how it will play out.)

The students are pretty much the best that Oman has... the top scorers in their exams get in... and my friends still there say that they are still a joy to teach. Classes are sexually integrated. And Oman is a scenically gorgeous country that especially appeals to those who like the outdoors.

VS

travelling teacher · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 9

VS, I have been reading the KSA and Oman forums extensively this week and appreciate your many helpful posts.

Understanding that Oman is not in the same economic league as KSA, what would you say is a reasonable salary at SQU for someone with a master's in TESL and 10 years post-MA ESL/EFL teaching experience? 3 of the years were in the Middle East, the other 7 in the US. I have had many Middle Eastern (mostly Saudi) students in the US.

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

I haven't had anyone report starting offer numbers for the last couple years. Hopefully someone else will pass through and give us an update.

VS

lizziebennet · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 355

When it comes down to it KAU doesn't offer that much more that SQU. Also there housing allowance is very low and you won't get anything nice in Jeddah with it.
Don't expect a compound or anything unless you get on a waiting list and are willing to share one plave with three other people.
The girls section of KAU is awesome and I loved it but it all depended on what campus you were sent to. The boys section is a gongshow and my husband hated it so much we ended up leaving Saudi Arabia and moving to Oman.
They pay late (sometimes months late) and didn't even reimburse teachers for their airfairs for months.
Not to mention being asked to pass students who never attend your class etc!

I have worked at KAU and know friends who work at SQU. You would be stupid to choose a KAU job offer over one from SQU.
They aren't even in the same league. I have lived in Jeddah and spent a lot of time in Muscat and Muscat wins handsdown too...

Hope that helps!

Lizzie

vamanos12 · Joined: 26 Jan 2012 Posts: 58

Thanks for the advice-very helpful since this is such a big decision and so many unknowns in that part of the world.

lizziebennet · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 355

Check your pm.

Sydney2002 · Joined: 10 Apr 2012 Posts: 55

I recently met a former professor from SQU who was there for 12 years. He had very positive things to say about the university and their Language Center, even though he was on a different faculty.

rainbowprof · Joined: 18 Feb 2012 Posts: 133 Location: Penang

I hear its a great gig there but international schools take a lion's share of parents income even with the allowance, if that is a considering factor.

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

Yes, Oman has always been on the low side of the pay scale. The crunch comes for those with more than two kids. If you have more than two, better be a teaching couple. Cool

But many pay the price because they like the conditions there for families.

VS

rainbowprof · Joined: 18 Feb 2012 Posts: 133 Location: Penang

I hear homeschooling is also popular there amongst the expats. Also, yeah, the SQU housing and orientation papers both looked impressive from what I have seen.

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

This is true around the Gulf because the private schools are so expensive.

And... SQU and Oman have been amazingly organized since day one. Or at least since I arrived there at the beginning of year 3. It rather spoils one for the rest of the Gulf... and the horrendous bureaucratic SNAFU that a place like Kuwait or Saudi presents to the arriving expat teacher. Cool

VS

rainbowprof · Joined: 18 Feb 2012 Posts: 133 Location: Penang

gee, VS, where haven't you worked.? You seem to have got into a lot of the big named ones...

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

In 16 or so years, you have time to work at a few places... Cool

SQU was my first job after completing my MA in TEFL at AUC.

VS