Jilliann Roberg » 2007 » February

A long strange trip it gets to be.

As an EFL instructor in Riyadh at a lovely, pristine new college, I can truely report that the oft lamented local educational traditions have been tossed to the winds. There IS a new breeze in Nedj.

But getting visas and permission to enter the country to teach is still somewhat touch and go. In my case it was touch and not go. I arrived as a guest and found the circumstances of teaching, as well as life outside of work, to be quite suitable, acceptible. Better than expected.

Since being here, I have sucessfully completed 2 on-line courses (MA TEFL) with St.Cloud University (Minnesota/USA)

Pedagogical Grammar (ENGL 664) and

(ENGL 662) English for Academic Study.

However, the pounderous methods of getting a work visa has scuppered my intentions of on-line course instruction this term. I registered with my university, but the text books I ordered have yet to arrive in Riyadh.

In my case - I had to ’step outside’ the country, to get required work permission. My ’step’ was into Egypt/Cairo. This little jaunt took nearly 2 weeks .

If you don’t mind - I’d like to tell/write/blog about my more succcessful on-line MA experiences. I swear, I’ll tell all!

Jill

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