a teacher’s greatest gift

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Oman, University of Nizwa

Tuesday, March 5:  Today, one of my colleagues came to my desk and said he had something I would be really happy to see.  He then handed me an essay one of his Level 2 students wrote about her Level 1 class in the fall semester.  I taught this student in Level 1 in the fall semester of 2012, and it made my day to read her essay.

Here it is, transcribed exactly as she wrote it.  Pardon the errors in English; please remember this student is in her second semester studying English at university in a country where Arabic is the native tongue and there are not many opportunities to speak English, except with their teachers on campus.

“Level One”

Last fall my teacher name is Cathy was committed and active for Level 1. I learned English and TOEFL.  I’m glad I had this class because the teacher was very funny, jovial, committed and the English I learned will help me in the future.

She is a married. She has two children.  She is 51 years old was a good mentor.

First, I learnd English.  Next I learned TOEFL.  Lastly, I learned skills.  English lecture was wonderful we were looking forward to attending  because it was a very learned lessons was a wonderful example.  We explain lessons play.  I like English very much.

As you can see my class was very useful to me becauce I met new friends who were good to me and I’ve loved them.  Teacher also liked the lessons she taught us well and tanks. Succeeded and moved to the next stage Level 2.

The teacher was very funny and happy.  I love my teacher very very mutch. The material I learned is going to help me on the toefl and in my future career.

————————–

I love how this student describes me as jovial, funny and happy. 🙂 I also love how she described me as only 51 years old (thanks to her for that!!).  She also forgot to mention my third child.  None of that matters.   I see a great improvement in her writing and obviously she feels she learned something from me.  I feel I also inspired her.

This is what makes my job worthwhile: the relationships I have with my students, who still drop by to visit me, smile & shake my hand warmly, telling me they miss our class and miss me.

Another student dropped by today, a lovely girl who worked extremely hard in level one.  She said, “Teacher I miss you so much!!” I asked how her current class was going and she said, “Bad, teacher, bad.”  I said, “Why??”  She said, “Teacher is always angry!!”  She shook her head.  “Angry, teacher, angry!”  (This comment is quite common to many students in Oman, describing teachers as angry, but maybe they just mean demanding.  I am very demanding too, so maybe they say this about me as well.)

My students are what, in the end, matter more than anything.  These kinds of written or spoken words from these girls are the greatest reward of my job.

“A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning.” ~ Brad Henry

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giving notice

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Life, Oman, University of Nizwa

Saturday, December 22:  Today, I tendered my 6-month resignation to the University of Nizwa.  My last day of work here will be on Wednesday, June 26, 2013.

The reasons I am leaving are numerous.  Basically, the main reason is that I’m homesick.  I miss my family and friends and my home in America.  I want to be close to my children.  I want to work on my marriage, and I can’t do that living abroad.   I miss the work environment I had in the community college in Virginia.  I miss feeling connected to my people back home.

entrance to the University of Nizwa

Finally, it is simply time to move on to a new phase in my life.  I have been thinking a lot about what I want to accomplish next.  I am thinking seriously, as I always do, about my resolutions for the New Year of 2013.  Thirteen has always been a lucky number for me, so I have high hopes for the new year.

Stay tuned for my post on New Year’s Day, where I will spell out in great detail, as I always do, my New Year’s resolutions. (Maybe too much detail for my readers!!)  I always take this process seriously.  As I remember someone saying once, you have to create the life you intend. Or something along those lines.  Nothing will happen unless I make it happen.  A little luck thrown in is always a good thing as well!

“Edward: You know what the difference is between a dream and a goal? he used to say to me. A plan.”  ― Jodi Picoult, Lone Wolf

I will miss a lot about Oman.  I love the country and I’ve explored many hidden places that even Omanis don’t take the time to explore.  I will continue to do this over the next 6 months.

I get a new vocabulary word in my email inbox every day from Dictionary.dom.  The word I received today is this:

decathect \dee-kuh-THEKT\, verb:  To withdraw one’s feelings of attachment from (a person, idea, or object), as in anticipation of a future loss.

This word applies to what I will have to do when I leave Oman and the amazing people I have met here.

I’ve learned a lot while I’ve been here.  I’ve learned something about who I am.  I’ve learned to enjoy my solitude.  I love the sense of adventure that has grown in me.  I’ve learned to be independent.  I’ve learned about the kind of people I like to seek out and spend time with.  I’ve learned what feels good about a work environment, and what doesn’t. I’ve learned more about what I am seeking.

When I leave Oman, I will write a final reflection piece about what I’ve learned about myself and about coping in a foreign land.  Until then, I hope you’ll continue to join me for the final leg of my journey in Oman.

“If you have a goal, write it down. If you do not write it down, you do not have a goal – you have a wish.”
― Steve Maraboli, Life, the Truth, and Being Free

“There is always a gap between intention and action..”
― Paulo Coelho

a glimpse at what teachers wear to the university of nizwa. {fall 2012}

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Life, Nizwa, Oman, University of Nizwa

Sunday, October 7: Often, people who are considering coming to work at the University of Nizwa write to me through my blog to ask various questions about life at the university.  One question people ask me is what people wear to work.  In order to avoid having to answer these questions on an individual basis, I decided to write a post about how teachers dress.

Long skirt, long-sleeve shirt and shayla (headscarf)

Short-sleeve blouse and skirt below the knee

button down shirt and long khaki pants

Saudi dress? I’m not sure here….

For the women, the general rule is that women should be modest, cover their shoulders and wear pants or skirts that fall below the knee.  Some of the women teachers are Muslim and cover their hair.  Others are not, and they do not cover.   Some women are Muslim and don’t cover.  It is an individual choice.  It is not required.

Short sleeve long top with long pants

A variety of dress. Left to right: button down shirt and long pants; Omani dishdasha and mussar; short sleeve collared knit shirt and long pants, long skirt and 3/4 sleeve blouse with scarf.

1) Me with long skirt, 3/4 length sleeves and scarf; 2) nice jeans and polo shirt; 3) long balloon pants and long tunic

long-sleeve button-down shirt, long khaki pants, and cap

The men generally wear collared shirts, or long tunics, or dishdashas if they are Omani.  Some men even go so far as to wear ties.  Shorts, frayed jeans or sloppy T-shirts are generally not acceptable.

women teachers at the university, with long skirts, scarves, long or mid-sleeve tops

short sleeve button-down shirt and long pants

a long sleeve shirt, tie, and long khaki pants

long tunic and long pants

This is just a sampling of different teachers and what they wear, as I cannot put pictures of every single teacher on my blog.  Teachers generally keep the heat in mind when they dress, sticking to lightweight cotton fabrics.  Many people wear sandals year round here, although many people wear close-toed shoes as well.

Indian cotton top with colorful scarf and long pants

long sleeve cardigan and blouse, long pants and headscarf

polo shirt and long khaki pants

long Indian tunic and long loose-fitting pants, cardigan over blouse and capri-length pants, and polo shirt with long pants

back to work ~ booted from office!

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Life, Nizwa, Oman, University of Nizwa

Saturday, September 15:  Today is Six Word Saturday, and here are my six words:

BACK TO WORK ~ BOOTED FROM OFFICE!

I didn’t open my university email even one time in the six weeks I was on vacation for this very reason.  I didn’t want to be upset by anything that had to do with work.  No one wants to find out while they are on vacation that they’ve been sacked, that their house has burned down, that they’ve been demoted, or WHATEVER!!  I didn’t want my peace of mind ruined, or even threatened, during my time of relaxation and leisure.

my new office

I found upon my return that the office I shared with two other people (it was bad enough we didn’t have our own private offices!) has now been confiscated by the university administration (for what use I’m not clear).  I was told upon my return to pack up my stuff and move to a newer building across the campus with a lot of other Foundation Institute teachers into a bullpen area full of cubicles.  It’s not that bad really, but the worst thing is that I’m separated from my closest friends all the way across the campus.

my special new desk

Welcome back to the real world.

listening final is over; marking begins…

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Nizwa, Oman, Six Word Saturday, University of Nizwa

Saturday: July 28:  Today is Six Word Saturday, and here are mine:

LISTENING FINAL IS OVER; MARKING BEGINS…

This summer, I have been the coordinator for what is called our Post-Foundation program at the University of Nizwa. These are students who have somehow completed the Foundation Program and are now still taking English courses because their TOEFL score isn’t high enough to start studying in their majors.  My coordinator position was just a summer position, and luckily I can just go back to teaching in the fall.  The only class I did teach this summer was Listening, focused mainly on academic listening and note-taking (including mind maps and linear note-taking).  Having taught the highest level of Speaking and Listening last summer at Northern Virginia Community College, I found this course was an exercise in futility.  My students are at a very basic level, and the lectures were about franchises, solving the traffic dilemma in London, macro- and micro-economics and Gestalt theory.  The curriculum level is simply not matching the abilities of our students.

Anyway, today was the final exam for listening.  This afternoon, our team, and other teachers who were hijacked for the job, began the double marking.  Tomorrow, we have the Grammar Final and on Monday the Reading Final.  We have to double mark nearly 500 exams.  All this by Tuesday afternoon, so as coordinator, I can check over everything for our group before submitting it to the administration on Wednesday.  Thursday morning at 5:40 a.m., I will be on the plane for Washington.  I am so ready for my 6-week break.  One month in Northern Virginia and two weeks in Greece!

As the Arabs say: Al Hamdullilah!

colleagues are vacating the university now

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Six Word Saturday

Saturday, June 9: Here are my six words for this Saturday:

COLLEAGUES ARE VACATING THE UNIVERSITY NOW

It’s really a downer to be stuck here at the university until August 2, while all my co-workers are taking off for their vacations in droves.  By early July, most of my friends will be gone, and I’ll still have another month to go.  Besides that, I’ll be teaching summer school and as of this point, I have no idea what my hours will be or what I will be teaching.  Between the unknown timetable and subject matter, the heat, and the exodus of my friends, I have no idea how I will survive until August.  People keep reminding me that once they come back, and their vacations are all said and done, I will be leaving for six weeks.

That, thank goodness, is the light at the end of the tunnel.

the university of nizwa: foundation institute

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Nizwa, Oman, University of Nizwa

Sunday, May 27:  I’ve been an English Language Lecturer at the Foundation Institute of the University of Nizwa for two semesters.  A lot of readers have written to me because either they have applied for a job, or are considering applying, at the university.   They want information, and I can’t say I blame them.  Before I came here I was desperate for information, as is anyone who is thinking of moving to and working in a foreign country.  When I got a job offer, I just decided to dive in and take a gamble, despite having little to no information.  I had a desire to work in the Middle East for various reasons and I figured this would be as good a place as any.  Besides, one of my State Department friends told me that Oman is the most desirable post in the Middle East for foreign service officers, so it seemed like a dream come true.

the entrance to the University of Nizwa

I’m generally hesitant to answer questions from potential job applicants because this is my place of employment and I try to limit my posts about my job here.  As you can imagine, I don’t want to jeopardize my job by putting into print every little thing I think about the environment here.

welcome to the university!

I hope people will not be offended if I choose not to answer their messages and questions about the university.  My blog is meant to be a creative outlet for me.  I like to focus on my travels and photography and mostly amusing or interesting anecdotes about my experience in Oman.  So, I would like to request that readers who are interested in applying here, or have already accepted a job here, please read my posts on the university (see the menu at the top of my page).  Other than that, I hope my dear readers will understand if I don’t respond to any further messages regarding work at the university.

my office, shared with two other people

That being said, there are several more appropriate forums to find out information.  Most ESL teachers already know that there is an international job forum on Dave’s ESL Cafe where you can post questions and get answers.  Also, I have a friend who started a website for Expats in Oman: Omani – Expats’ Portal.  Though this website is relatively new, I still suggest that you post your questions there in hopes of getting answers from other like-minded expats.

walkways on the university campus

On Dave’s ESL Cafe there are some very negative and bitter posts; there are also some positive posts. There is probably some truth to both the positives and negatives.  Just keep in mind the source.  Since Dave’s ESL Cafe is anonymous, anyone at all can post without giving any information about themselves.  It is impossible to know whether the person who posted is rightfully bitter about the university itself or is just a bitter person to begin with.  Anyone who has a grudge against the university for whatever reason can post.  If a person posts a lot of negative things about every place he has worked, for instance, that person may just be an angry person in general.  We don’t know.  So, I advise that readers should take everything they read with a big grain of salt.

wall painting on one of the university walls

Here’s what I have to add.  Each culture has its challenges.  Everyone who has ever worked abroad knows this.  Some cultures are worse, some better, than others. People take to  cultures differently.  For example, I worked in Korea for a year, but no matter how much I tried to love it, it just wasn’t my cup of tea.  Many other teachers absolutely loved it and have ended up staying for years.

walkways at the university

As for workplaces: I’ve worked for excellent and horrible companies all over, including in the USA.  The horrible workplaces are filled with negativity, infighting, low morale and high turnover. The excellent ones offer a positive, encouraging, inclusive and welcoming environment. Some workplace environments are simply better, or worse, than others. I think if you are a generally positive person who is resilient and flexible,  you will be okay here.  If not, you might be better off elsewhere.  I enjoy my life in Oman and I try hard to make the best of the situation.  I try to always remember why I’m here: to save money, to travel around the region, and to get more teaching and cultural experience.  I love being with my students, despite the general challenges found anywhere in the Gulf.

the Human Resources hallway

Here are some specific questions people have asked me, along with my answers:

How is the commute?

It takes me about 30 minutes to drive from my house, but it all depends on where you live and your transport situation.

a painting in the hallway

I’ve heard there is a bus that takes the teachers to and for the university.  How long is the trip?

There is and again, it depends where you live.  It’s pretty cheap transport; the university takes 10 rials out of your paycheck each month.

more covered walkways on the campus

Do you find it OK to be in the uni all day?

Yes, I’m especially happy when dealing with my students and direct teaching.

Does the uni provide sufficient materials for teaching?

Yes.  No working technology, but enough materials.

inside one hallway at the Foundation Institute

What are the negatives of working for Nizwa?  Positives?

See Dave’s ESL cafe.  I’m sorry, I can’t get into these myself.  Just read with an open mind and weigh what you read carefully.  You know yourself and what you can handle.

What’s the accommodation like?

My flat is wonderful.  You can see it in my blog, Home Sweet Home in the Abu Nooh Building.  It is a university flat so I pay nothing.  When the university provides the flat it comes furnished with basic stuff: TV, sofa and chairs, coffee table, king-size bed, desk, armoire, kitchen table & chairs.  You can get your own flat (I think the allowance is 175 rials, but I’m not sure) but remember under those circumstances, you must buy your own furniture.  This could be quite expensive.  In an earlier post, my first floor “villa” behind the shoe store, you can see the villa the university gave me early on; it had its own charm but it was, in essence, a real dive.  Slowly but surely I worked on them to get a new place.  Other people have done the same.  Just be aware when you first arrive, they are overwhelmed with new teachers, and have to stick people wherever, just to get them situated.  Later you can work with them to change your housing.

Building 13

Any social life?

Depends how outgoing you are.  But yes, there are lots of opportunities.

How many teachers?

Over 100??  Sorry, I’m really not sure of the number.

Many single older women?

Yes, lots!

covered parking ~ we need it in this heat!

Your blog gives the impression that you are very much enjoying life in Oman.

I am!!

I’d be interested in any downside so I can get a clear picture.

Please see Dave’s ESL Cafe.  You’ll have to make your own decision.  I hope you can understand I cannot go down that road.

basil on the university grounds

Overall, I try to be positive and try to get the most out of this  experience.  If you’re the same kind of person, you should be fine.  You create your life how you want it.  By the way, I AM renewing my contract for another year.  So, obviously I see more positives than negatives.

Good luck to all of you out there who are looking to come to the university.  Hope to see you here!