Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ScottyG]

After a good few or so years in Korea, I'm thinking of giving the UAE a shot. Everyone says its conservative, that you can't drink or make eye contact with women there, but I've heard this isn't entirely accurate at all.
Anyways, I think the package is roughly similar to Korea with a few extra perks, a few less attractions, very different lifestyle.

If anyone has experience in both countries I'd like to hear your 10 wan.

[here_for-_now]

The UAE in general is conservative, Dubai on the other hand is anything but.
Alcohol is not a problem and is legal.
Eye contact with women? only the locals are kind of off-limit, but you won't find that to be a problem since the local population constitutes something like 10% (in Dubai at least)
As for the money, it's not that great if you don't have a masters minimum , and with the cost of living sky-rocketing... a lot of people are having a hard time making ends meet. If you do land a good job though (a lot of people are going for Abu-Dhabi now)...life's a breeze.

[DHX]

I would only do it if the pay was better than Korea. $40,000 at the very least. There is a very big class divide and the rich look down on the servants in society. Teachers are servants! If you don't have money, you probably won't have much fun in the UAE. Freedoms are restricted and you are always in danger as a white person with a North American accent, even if you are Canadian.

You will be teaching the sons of the rich (assuming you are male). Men teach boys, women teach girls. Spoiled children have a bad reputation in Dubai. They can get away with anything, so if you make one of them angry for whatever reason you can expect to have your windows smashed or get beaten up on your way home. So, you will have to suck up to them and put up with their bad behavior.

[here_for-_now]

[ScottyG]

I would prefer Dubai, but have been offered something in Abu Dhabi. I think it works out over 3 grand a month. If anything, I think the vacation time and proximity to travel destinations would make it worth it. Spoiled kids don't bother me. I was raised as one myself to some extent. I just wonder about working hours and expectations. The recruitment for UAE is a lot more elusive than it is in Korea. I get the feeling I have to impress rather than be impressed.

[jaganath69]

A friend of mine lives in Dubai, well most of the year as he is an aircraft mechanic who gets sent around the region. He told me one thing to consider if moving there is that a comfortable standard of living runs at about 4-5000 bucks a month. Any less, he said, and you'd be struggling or denying yourself the creature comforts on offer. Why not check out Kuwait or Saudi, where there is far less to spend your hard-earned on?

[Jamin]

I lived for 4 years in Abu Dhabi. I just came back to Korea about 10 months ago.

First, it is probably the most open place in the Middle East. There are lots of bars and you can buy beer, wine, etc once you apply for a license (getting it is just a matter of paperwork). Western movies proliferate with only limited cencership. There are also churches if once feels the need to do so. Items for Christian holidays are available are the shopping centers.

The language of business is English. That means that anywhere you go in Abu Dhabi or Dubai there will be somebody who speaks English and will be able to help you.

6 months of the year the weather is wonderful but the other six months are hot and humid. This is not a problem as everywhere has airconditioners.

People spend there time either at the shopping centers, parks, or at the swimming pool of some 5 star hotel (need to purchase a membership for that).


The biggest issue you will face is getting used to the pace of how things are done there. Most things require a lot of pieces of paper properly stamped and signed. Things tend to take a long time to get done. If you are married and your wife is Asian she may have some issues as people in general there will assume she is a maid or nanny.

If I ever choose to leave Korea again my first choice would be to return to the UAE. You can get a decent job teaching English while being able to live a hassle-free western lifestyle. It is nothing like Saudi Arabia or even Kuwait for that matter. For expats with experience in the Middle East, the UAE is concidered to be the best place to live.

The reason I returned to Korea was because I missed the culture and I wanted my children to learn Korean and get to know thier relatives. I also enjoy teaching Korean students over Arab students.

[RobinH]

I would not go to the ME for anything less than a university job. Check out the ME forums here on Dave's. You will need an MA, however you might find some language center/hogwon-type jobs available if you've got a CELTA.

I lived very comfortably in Kuwait working at Kuwait University. Big (2 beds, 3 baths) apartment to myself, all utilities paid except phone and internet, about 2100$/month tax free in 2000. There are several ELS-type schools there that will hire with a CELTA, for less $$$ though.

Saudi is the best place to go for $$$, but I wouldn't touch the place. Dubai is the about as liberal as it gets in the ME.

Oman sounds like it has the nicest people, but also the lowest pay.

Do some research in the ME forums if you haven't already. Lots of good info and helpful people over there.

[ScottyG]

i'd love to ask questions on the real ME board, but this entire website requires a new ID and password for each forum. which it actually quite annoying. and when i tried to register a message said "no more registrations until July 15th."

anyways, i just wanted to hear from people who have taught in both countries. i am not sure if it is just my imagination, but teachers in korea tend to have a "grass is way greener over here" kind of attitude that is a little biased. and people in the UAE kind of see Korea as an amateur first stepping stone kind of a place. i admit i'm guilty of justifying myself in korea verses somewhere else more challenging or exotic. time for a change even if it isnt a comfortable one.

[laogaiguk]

I know several people who lived there. They never say it's a bad place, but I just have no desire myself to live there. I know others are different though.

[RobinH]

Dave is probably on vacation. Do the registration for the ME board after the 15th, you'll get a lot of help there.

[Zark]

I spent five years in Saudi Arabia - and many people I worked with made the transition to the UAE. They ALL raved about the much higher quality of life - but were often unhappy with the political shenanigans at work.

When I needed to refill the savings coffers a few years back - I returned to Korea - as I thought (and still believe) that ultimately there I could save almost as much as in the UAE - but would have a higher quality of life (and more paid time off) and could avoid all the political and cultural nonsense that is the Middle East.

Some people in the UAE will tell you - as proof of how "liberal" it is - that there are even co-ed beaches! Yeah, but the one I saw also had Pakistani and Indian and Arab men lining the street by it - staring at all the women. It was not a comfortable situation.

"Liberal" - yes, in terms of the Middle East - not in terms of the rest of the world.

Just my opinion. If I again needed to save some serious money - it would be back to Korea - again.

[ScottyG]

thanks zark. its a tough decision to make. korea, despite its annoying things, is pretty enjoyable. im curious about accoms and what people do for fun outside of work to.

[igotthisguitar]

Scotty ...

Next time, why not allow threads like this to have a "poll" option?

Me? UAE? Hell no.

Cheers.

[Benicio]

UAE?
H$ll NO!

Never been there, but had a friend, whom I trust, make the switch after a long stint in Korea. He lasted his year there and now he's back in Korea.

I can't think of any compelling reason to go there.