Hi All
I am busily researching our next move....anyone out there in Oman (AISM, or British American perhaps), who would care to comment briefly on
1. Family-friendliness
2. Savings potential
3. School atmosphere and how 'dynamic' and pedagogically progressive it is
Thanks.
(BTW we are a fully credentialed teaching couple with extensive international experience, not newbies! We are debating between HK, Oman, Saudi Aramco, Taiwan and several schools in China, and have expressions of interest from most of those.......not asking anyone to be disloyal, just wanting to explore the 'fit' if y'know what I mean :wink: )
Oman
I have close family and friends teaching at The American-British Academy in Muscat, Oman. I travel to and spend time there plus keep in close touch and have watched this school grow and develop under the able guidance of the long-time director, Mona Nashman-Smith, and the board. The teachers I know seem happy with their stead and particularly with the students, the academic quality of the school and their duties therein. The facilities are good and the classes small. Of course, there are the occasional grumbles, mostly toward the director. However, all teachers seem to agree that what she has done and continues to do for the school outweighs their complaints. ABA has good teachers many of whom have stayed on for long periods. Among the students there are approximately 60 nationalities.
I have no idea what the present teacher hire-in package might be. I can only assume it is still a quite good one. My family and friends have always had ample to allow for both travel and good savings, yearly airfare for teachers and families, housing allowance, health insurance, shipping, settling in, gratuity per year at end of service.......perhaps more.
Muscat has a brand new private hospital which is quite nice and seems to give good care. Most patients hate to leave, sort of like a resort with great food and TLC. There are western physicians. I'm not so sure about the diagnostic capabilities and diagnostic equipment available but they can certainly take good care of moms and babies and general common illnesses. Medication is generally comparatively inexpensive. Anyone with a chronic medication should check beforehand or just bring a long-term supply with them.
This is probably the most family friendly city and country in the world. The teacher families and singles too, have many at-home potlucks, parties, etc. Most families who live within the Muscat community have quite large, walled villas with ample outdoor gardens for entertaining. The singles mostly live in flats or small villas at their choice. All accommodations in this city are quite large in comparison to other countries. Two-bedroom flats for teachers are presently under construction for opening next fall. At that time, I believe, they will begin construction on a 3-bedroom complex for families. Homes in the community have become quite scarce and pricey in the past year. This is something you might want to address on interview. Almost everyone has a full time maid/nanny, some have gardeners. There is never any smog. I swear there are more stars in Oman than anywhere. It's simply amazing on the beach with the lack of light pollution. The city is beautiful and safe; no crime. Children can feel free to skateboard, bicycle, and generally wander around their neighborhoods. Most all teachers have autos, and, for those who wish to travel to wadis, beaches, desert camps, or mountains, a 4-wheel drive vehicle might be a good choice. Gas is cheap and used vehicles reasonable. There are buses and taxis as well.
Muscat is the cleanest city I have ever been in; you can be issued a ticket if your vehicle is dirty. Unfortunately there is a dearth of cultural events such as concerts, ballet, opera, theater, etc. There are many gorgeous sea-front hotels with bars and excellent dining. There are liquor stores where western residents may buy alcohol on a monthly quota. For the first time ever, this year Sultan Qaboos, who is somewhat western leaning, allowed the bars and liquor stores to sell alcohol during Ramadan. There is hiking and camping in the mountains and wadis, beach camping, boating, diving (coral reef), 500-600 miles of beaches. At any Wahiba Sands desert camp there is camel riding, sandboarding, sandskiing, 4-wheel dune bashing, with Bedoin band and dancing in the evenings. A great weekend relaxer and only a couple hours drive from Muscat.
The climate is wonderful in Oman. Summer hot, hot. Spring and fall can be hot; everything is air conditioned. October to March generally fairly nice; dry and in the 70s F. daytime Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb and evenings can be very cool. Always sunny with blue skies. Paradise perhaps??!!
I have no idea what the present teacher hire-in package might be. I can only assume it is still a quite good one. My family and friends have always had ample to allow for both travel and good savings, yearly airfare for teachers and families, housing allowance, health insurance, shipping, settling in, gratuity per year at end of service.......perhaps more.
Muscat has a brand new private hospital which is quite nice and seems to give good care. Most patients hate to leave, sort of like a resort with great food and TLC. There are western physicians. I'm not so sure about the diagnostic capabilities and diagnostic equipment available but they can certainly take good care of moms and babies and general common illnesses. Medication is generally comparatively inexpensive. Anyone with a chronic medication should check beforehand or just bring a long-term supply with them.
This is probably the most family friendly city and country in the world. The teacher families and singles too, have many at-home potlucks, parties, etc. Most families who live within the Muscat community have quite large, walled villas with ample outdoor gardens for entertaining. The singles mostly live in flats or small villas at their choice. All accommodations in this city are quite large in comparison to other countries. Two-bedroom flats for teachers are presently under construction for opening next fall. At that time, I believe, they will begin construction on a 3-bedroom complex for families. Homes in the community have become quite scarce and pricey in the past year. This is something you might want to address on interview. Almost everyone has a full time maid/nanny, some have gardeners. There is never any smog. I swear there are more stars in Oman than anywhere. It's simply amazing on the beach with the lack of light pollution. The city is beautiful and safe; no crime. Children can feel free to skateboard, bicycle, and generally wander around their neighborhoods. Most all teachers have autos, and, for those who wish to travel to wadis, beaches, desert camps, or mountains, a 4-wheel drive vehicle might be a good choice. Gas is cheap and used vehicles reasonable. There are buses and taxis as well.
Muscat is the cleanest city I have ever been in; you can be issued a ticket if your vehicle is dirty. Unfortunately there is a dearth of cultural events such as concerts, ballet, opera, theater, etc. There are many gorgeous sea-front hotels with bars and excellent dining. There are liquor stores where western residents may buy alcohol on a monthly quota. For the first time ever, this year Sultan Qaboos, who is somewhat western leaning, allowed the bars and liquor stores to sell alcohol during Ramadan. There is hiking and camping in the mountains and wadis, beach camping, boating, diving (coral reef), 500-600 miles of beaches. At any Wahiba Sands desert camp there is camel riding, sandboarding, sandskiing, 4-wheel dune bashing, with Bedoin band and dancing in the evenings. A great weekend relaxer and only a couple hours drive from Muscat.
The climate is wonderful in Oman. Summer hot, hot. Spring and fall can be hot; everything is air conditioned. October to March generally fairly nice; dry and in the 70s F. daytime Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb and evenings can be very cool. Always sunny with blue skies. Paradise perhaps??!!
Oman
Dear Lincoln
Thanks for your long and thoughtful post. This was extremely gracious of you.
Yes, we have heard good things about Mona Nashman-Smith, she is a good friend of our current director. I sometimes think that many of the posts in the main part of ISR are from time-served idlers who resent being made to think by progressive, good quality directors. It does not sound as though this school has many of those!
I appreciate your comments on housing as many posts in the middle east, and indeed, parts of China, are becoming difficult owing to the rapidly rising cost of housing.
Thanks, once again, for caring enough to post so much useful information. Lucky us, we are now getting to a 'spoilt for choice' with Amman now figuring highly on our list of possibilities. Isn't the world a wonderful place?!!
Draug
AKA Becca
Thanks for your long and thoughtful post. This was extremely gracious of you.
Yes, we have heard good things about Mona Nashman-Smith, she is a good friend of our current director. I sometimes think that many of the posts in the main part of ISR are from time-served idlers who resent being made to think by progressive, good quality directors. It does not sound as though this school has many of those!
I appreciate your comments on housing as many posts in the middle east, and indeed, parts of China, are becoming difficult owing to the rapidly rising cost of housing.
Thanks, once again, for caring enough to post so much useful information. Lucky us, we are now getting to a 'spoilt for choice' with Amman now figuring highly on our list of possibilities. Isn't the world a wonderful place?!!
Draug
AKA Becca
Jess, I'm a single woman who has applied to TAISM and I would look forward to working in Muscat. In my research the country appears more progressive than some in the ME. You should dress somewhat conservatively (no bare shoulders, cleavage, short skirts)--but then, I think every teacher should dress conservatively anywhere they are. TAISM has a lot of good info on its Web site for prospective teachers.