Job Discussion Forums

aridion · Joined: 30 Aug 2010 Posts: 55

I just had my interview for British International School, Tabuk. I t went well. They will get back to me in the next 7 -10 days.

Anyone ever hear about this school?

What about Tabuk? Anyone have any experience with this city?

Thanks.

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

It's a peaceful place with a decent climate for Saudi. You have a more seasonal climate, and you actually see quite a lot of rain, at times, in the spring, and fall. Thanks to the elevation, the temps rarely go above 30 centigrade in summer. Winters can be quite chilly, and occasionally down to zero or less.

Another nice thing is that you are near the Red Sea coast (North West Saudi coast) and the snorkelling and diving there are very good, among the best in the world.

The Jordanian border is a couple of hours drive, and Petra (Jordan) and Aqaba are easily accessible. In Aqaba, you can do, as Ghost did - take a boat across to Egypt. All this can be done, on one of the short breaks you have.

You can also visit World Heritage site - Madein Saleh quite easily from Tabuk. Tabuk city is growing, but it is still much smaller and more peaceful than many of the Saudi cities familiar to us (Riyadh/Jeddah/Dammam).

Expats are generally treated with the utmost respect and courtesy in Tabuk. There are not that many of us, so that is an advantage. There is one main compound for most of the foreigners in Tabuk, where there are around 150 - 200 expats residing, mostly from the U.S., UK, Australia, Canada, Philippines, Turkey, etc.....

If you don't like the big city life in Saudi, you could do a lot worse than Tabuk. The climate is good, because much more temperate, which is good news for those who like to exercise outdoors.

Ghost in Saudi.

aridion · Joined: 30 Aug 2010 Posts: 55

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

Tabuk school basically runs on British lines, and it has high standards. The vast majority of the teachers there have taught in the UK for years. If you are familiar with the British system, then you might do very well at the school. However, for people who have taught in more relaxed surroundings with much less micro management, the change to this type of school might prove to be (at least initially) stressful.

Most of the teachers have families with them, so it is a very family oriented environment. Some people like that, others less. Life on the compound there (according to one source) revolves around family and sport, so it is almost a microcosm of British life. Again, some people like that, others less.

The sport facilities in Tabuk are excellent for expats, and I know one teacher who trains for marathons, doing most of his training in the desert. The climate is good, and much more temperate, compared with other Saudi locations.

It is difficult to predict the outcome, because there are so many variables. If you could contact some of the teachers there, you might benefit a lot from that.

Ghost in Saudi

aridion · Joined: 30 Aug 2010 Posts: 55

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

aridian, I wonder if you have a contact email address for the British International School. It's hard to find. Do you know the average class sizes there?

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I would urge caution. GHOST has no personal experience of working in Tabuk and is based at the other end of the country which has been touched by development for two generations more than Tabuk !

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

well, looks like he knows someone from there, has visited or his internet trawling has been productive. Additionally, he's chosen to respond positively which is a welcome change from the overwhelming majority of naysayers and doom-and-gloom posters!

johnslat · Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2012 4:41 pm Post subject:

It's half-way between amusing and sad how we occasionally get posters on here, ones who usually have never been to Saudi, who bemoan the fact that so many of the posts on the Saudi thread are not, shall we say, encouraging.

Umm, there are reasons why that's the case, as many find out once they actually get to the Kingdom.

There simply aren't many places/employers there that are recommendable.

Regards,
John

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Having spent 17 of my 65 Gregorian years in KSA, including 2 in Tabuk, I think I can make fair comment.

johnslat · Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 4:13 pm Post subject:

Dear scot47,

Only 17, huh - short-timer. Very Happy

Regards,
John

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Oh Wise One, Great Johnslat, we are but fools when compared with Your Eminence.

johnslat · Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 6:15 pm Post subject:

Dear scot47,

Arise, thou good and faithful servant. Go and sin no more (or any less.) Very Happy

Regards,
Eminently John

saudi-esl-lecturer · Joined: 11 Apr 2012 Posts: 15

SCOT47, Any chance that you could tell me more about Tabuk? You have 2 yrs there.