Waiting Game Part 2

As of Monday, March 28th all of my required documents have arrived safely in UAE!  With the arrival of these documents, a new waiting game begins.  Although, I received an offer and contract to work in Abu Dhabi, the final say so is up to the Ministry of Labour.  They will determine if I will be granted a resident visa and work permit.  Apparently there is a new law in UAE that is delaying work permits.  There are many people who were hired to begin working in January but they are still in their countries.  I'm hoping that this part of the process will be as smooth as the other steps I've taken thus far.  As you can imagine, I can hardly concentrate on anything else but Abu Dhabi.  Hopefully I'll hear good news soon and I can begin making plans for my move across the world.

Before I go, I have to let you know that I've made connections with a young lady whose also going to be working at my school, as well teaching the same grade.  We've talked quite a bit and it feels good talking with someone whose going through the same process.  I'm glad I'll know someone before I even arrive in UAE.  I'm looking forward to making more connections and relationships along the way.  

Until Next Time...

Getting Things in Order

Hey All! 

Just wanted to give a quick update!  I received my authenticated forms on Thursday.  Like others suggested, I used ProEx to get the job done.  The entire process took approximately 15 days to get the forms authenticated and delivered and cost about $400. Had I done this myself I could have saved myself a ton of money.  However, I have a deadline to get all of my paperwork in, which is coming up very soon.  Not only did I have to spend money on authentication, I also had to get an updated FBI clearance which resulted in shelling out an additional $129.  Even though I have a little less money in my account due to those payments, the experience that awaits me in Abu Dhabi more than pays for it.  I have one more letter to get from my school then I will gladly mail my documents to UAE so that I can begin the process of obtaining my resident Visa and work permit.  I hope to have an update soon!

Until next time...

Finally!!!!

As I lay in bed this morning, an alert came across my phone.  I knew right away that it wasn't an email message because of the distinct tone, but an alert from one of the many Facebook groups that I'm a member of.  I clicked on the Facebook message to see what was going on and I noticed that I indeed received two email messages.  At first I wasn't going to check my email because I promised myself that I would stopping stalking my account every 30 minutes.  But curiosity caught the best of me and I clicked on my Gmail icon and there it was, the email that I was waiting for!  The email contained an offer letter along with a contract and several other documents!  The wait is finally over!!!  God willing I will be on a plane to UAE in August to teach at a brand new school in Abu Dhabi!  I'm so excited and very much nervous but I'm ready for the adventure!  I still have one more step (authentication) before everything becomes official.  But it looks like this Jersey girl is on her way to residing in the UAE for the next two years.  

This is just the beginning, so make sure you keep following!  Don't be shy, leave a comment, or even join the site!

Until next time!

The Waiting Game

Exactly one week ago today, I had my first Skype interview for a teaching position in Abu Dhabi.  Since then, I've continuously checked my email for updates.  The first email I received came two days after my interview.  When I saw that I received an email, I didn't know what to think.  I almost didn't want to read it because I didn't want to be disappointed.  Well, I'm glad I did read it because it detailed what the next few steps would be.  The email requested that I send the following information:

• Colored Passport Copy
• Copy of attested degree
• Copy of transcripts of records
• Point of hire (nearest International Airport)
• Marital Status (no. of children and age – if applicable)

All but one of the requested items I had on hand, and was able to send them right away. Because I read so many blogs, I knew which direction to take when it came down to authentication - ProEx!  I immediately contacted ProEx and requested a quote for their services.  The quote was pricey but I needed these documents right away.  I sent the documents (college degrees) off on Tuesday and they were received the following day.  I was told the turn around would be about 14 days.  I informed my potential employer of the matter, so that they know the requested information will soon come.  The second email came a few hours later requesting two professional references.  Again, I responded right away and sent the required information.  So, here I sit anxiously awaiting to hear some news.  It'll probably be another two weeks before I hear anything.  In the meantime, I'll continue to think positive, pray, and read more on Abu Dhabi.

Until Next time!   

Finally Interviewed

After two scheduled interviews that never panned out, I finally had the chance to interview for a new private school opening up in Abu Dhabi.  I could barely sleep through the night, for some reason I thought I would oversleep and miss my interview.  I awaken every morning at 5:30, so I don't know why I was so worried about oversleeping.  Lol! Today I woke up around 4:30, I tried to force myself to lay in bed and not get up until 5:30.  I could no longer lie still, so I got out of bed around 5:15 and begin to prepare.  It seemed as though time dragged until 7:00.  

My interview was via Skype and they called in at 7:07 am.  Overall, I felt like I did well.  I know I could have done better but I have this overwhelming calm wrapped around me.  I pray that this means I will get the job.  I will not hear anything until the end of next week, so I should have an update by March 4th.  Please pray along with me that hear I good news.  In the meantime, I'm still going to pursue any and all teaching jobs that interest me.

Until next time!

The Interview

Well here it is 12:42 on a Sunday afternoon and I so want to cry but the tears won't fall.  I'm just so disappointed.  Today was my scheduled interview with a new private school in Abu Dhabi.  I woke up early, prepared myself, prayed and was sitting down in front of  my computer 30 minutes before my interview time.  I was nervous and excited that my stomach begin to ache.  By the time 11:20 came around, I was ready to get the interview started.  I waited anxiously 10 minutes after the scheduled time, waiting for the call to come through.  After 10 minutes, I checked my email again to check the day and time and I was indeed correct with the day and time.  After taking a closer look, I noticed that the time was 11:20 am UAE time.  I couldn't believe that I didn't see this before.  I guess I was so glad to finally receive an interview, I just focused on the day and time and not the time zone. 

So I immediately sent both an email and Skype message letting them know that there was a mix up in time and requested a new day and time.  After sending both messages, I calculated the time and noticed that my interview was scheduled at 2:20 am (11:20 am UAE time).  The latest I've heard of interviews taking place was 11:00 p.m., so maybe my intended time was actually 11:20 a.m. (EST).  I decided to sit in front of my computer and wait in hopes that the interviewer was running behind schedule and I would receive the call shortly.  I waited for an hour and did not receive a call.  I sent another message and email, letting them know that I was logging out but still very much interested in rescheduling an interview.  Things are not going as I had hoped they would, but I'm still hopeful that I will receive an offer.  I guess God is teaching me patience, something I'm not too good at. 

Until next time...... 

When Will My Time Come?

Yesterday I was in a little bit of a funk, there were a few times where I wanted to shed tears.  I've been applying to schools since early November and I haven't had one interview yet.  After reading about others securing interviews and even receiving offer letters for the next school year, I couldn't help but to feel a little envious.  When will I have the opportunity to be interviewed????  Yup, I had a good ole pity party for myself, but it didn't last too long.

I remembered reading a post on one of the many groups I'm involved with on Facebook, and the person said don't wait on recruiters/agencies, if you want to teach abroad, contact the schools directly.  And so, that's what I did.  I sent my resume directly to several schools yesterday.  I even looked into schools in Kuwait, yes you've read correctly, Kuwait.  I'm finding that more and more Black educators are traveling to Kuwait to teach.  I visited one particular school's website and I was very much impressed with the diversity among its teachers.  Am I totally sold on the idea of moving to Kuwait?  No.  However, I'm not totally against it either.  As I stated before, I have to open myself up to other places if I want to become an international educator.  Of course my desired location is UAE but I'm open to other countries in the Middle East.  I would also love to work in South Africa but I haven't found anything as of yet.

Before I go I have to let you know that this morning, I received an invitation to a Skype interview for this Sunday.  The interview is for a new private school in Dubai.  I can't get too excited because I've been in this position twice, only to have the interview cancelled or postponed.  I will remain hopeful and pray that the interview does take place and that I interview exceptionally well!  Pray for a sistah!

Until next time...