DEAR READER: PLEASE NOTE THAT I DO NOT WORK FOR ALKHALEEJ TRAINING AND EDUCATION ANYMORE. Please read the following as a reference, but do not expect me to answer any questions about the company.
Whenever I got the job offer from Al Khaleej Training and Education back in June, I almost didn’t believe it was a real thing. The offer just seemed way too good to be true, so I did what any skeptic would do- I consulted Sheikh Google to see what I could find out about the company. I was so disappointed when my search yielded minimal results.
As crazy as it might sound, I wasn’t convinced that it was what one may call a “legitimate company,” and that it might be some type of scam as it did require quite a bit of money to get my visa issued. The reviews of the company I did find have a lot of people complaining about what a horrible time they had here, which I feel reflects more on their personal choices and lifestyle requirements than it does on the company. So, with that being said, I want to talk about my current experience with the company.
So far, Al Khaleej Training and Education has been the best company that I have worked with. As many of my readers know, there was quite a delay in getting my visa. While this was very stressful for me, my company was very patient and worked with me through this delay. It was nice to have a visa agent too, because I wasn’t so alone in the visa process, and he helped me to resolve any and all issues. (Note- Al Khaleej does NOT handle visa issuing. They use Atlantic Travel in Washington DC to deal with those issues.)
Shortly after my visa was issued, my company booked my ticket for me from my local airport to Riyadh. They had someone waiting for me at the airport, and he helped me get a sim card so that I could use my phone. He proceeded to drive me to the hospital because you are required to do a physical as soon as you enter the country to get your Iqama visa. When that was finished he dropped me off at a nice hotel, told me if I needed anything to call him, and let me sleep. The next morning he took me to the main office, where I met the company’s executive director.
The executive director was really great, and to be honest I wasn’t even aware I was meeting with the head of my company when I entered his office. He was so relaxed and welcoming that it didn’t even feel like he was interviewing me in person. It just felt more like a casual conversation between old friends. It was there that he decided to send me to Al-Qassim University, which at the time wasn’t my first choice although I love it now. He asked me if I needed money or anything at all, and told me to tell him if I did. I told him I needed an adaptor to charge my electronics, and he asked me if my phone was an IPhone because there are chargers for it there in the office. I couldn’t help but chuckle a little bit.
The company provided a van to take me to the bus station, purchased my bus ticket, and sent me to Qassim where another Al Khaleej van was waiting on me. The driver of that van was a very nice gentleman, and he does most of the driving for us here at the compound. The compound has employees of other companies living on it, but al Khaleej employees are treated the best. For example, there is a bus from the compound that has a set route it leaves for every day, and all companies are allowed to use it. Al Khaleej also has a bus that changes routes and leaves 4 times a week, and only Al Khaleej employees are allowed to ride it.
Employees with Al Khaleej may never be able to say that we are over worked. The bus leaves at 7 AM each morning, and we clock out from the office every day at 220 PM. We only do 16 hours of instructional work every week. The rest is dedicated to planning time or grading time or so on. It really is nice to feel how relaxed this schedule is. I know many teachers in USA have been very stressed and have been completely overworked, so it is really amazing to see the contrast between here and home, and to see the different dynamics in the classrooms.
Here in KSA I really feel far more valued as an educator than I did back in USA. Most of my girls are in the pre-med and pre-pharmacy program, so they are all very dedicated to success and are willing to learn. My coworkers and supervisors do everything to ensure that I am comfortable and effective. They even gave me a laptop which is really cool because I know teachers in USA who have to host fund raisers just to get money for supplies. My salary here is very good, I don’t have to pay taxes, and I don’t have rent/utilities. I really feel that this company cares about me as an individual, and I believe it treats all employee that way. I know that I haven’t worked for Al Khaleej Training and Education for a very long time, however I already know that I am interested in renewing my contract for at least a few more years.
Salaam,
KC
Kendra in KSA 
Aww, looks like you’re having so much fun! I just started my undergraduate in English Literature and if I end up at a place similar to yours, everything would be perfect.
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To be honest, my biggest regret in life is getting a BA in English. There are no opportunities for it, it is expensive to get in my country, and the jobs that you can find don’t pay well. I cannot explain how fortunate I am to work for Al Khaleej. It really made it worth it.
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You are so lucky! I have been hunting for a TEFL job in the Gulf for over a year and have had zero luck even with a CELTA, basically my problem is that I am not a “native speaker”, however, I have obtained my education in the UK. Enjoy every day of your job!
I wish I had the opportunity you are having.
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Usually most companies only hire native speakers. With that being said, most universities will hire what they call “direct hires” to teach English. At my current branch we have 8 English teachers, and only 2 are native speakers. There are 2 Saudis and the rest are Pakistani. Try getting hired as a direct hire at Qassim University.
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Hello,
I have heard but nothing but bad things about it this company. I am very skeptical. So I can really need an honest opinion.
Thanks!
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I really love alKhaleej honestly. So far they’ve been very easy to work with and offer a very nice salary. I recommend them 100%. Most people renew their contracts because they are so happy working with the company. We have people who have been here 5-6 years. A lot of it might depend on personality and placement. Obviously if you like to go out to night clubs and drink and so on you will feel bored in many cities here. If you are content with a quiet weekend in then you’ll have a great time here.
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Hi Kendra:
I have an offer from Al Khaleej, and I was wondering if you would recommend them after having worked there for several months. Thanks.
Brittany
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I really love alKhaleej honestly. So far they’ve been very easy to work with and offer a very nice salary. I recommend them 100%. Most people renew their contracts because they are so happy working with the company. We have people who have been here 5-6 years. A lot of it might depend on personality and placement. Obviously if you like to go out to night clubs and drink and so on you will feel bored in many cities here. If you are content with a quiet weekend in then you’ll have a great time here.
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Did you have to go through a travel agency when working with Al Khaleej? I think they’re sending me through “Atlantic Travel and Limbo,” which makes me wonder of the legitimacy of the people I’m talking with.
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I worked with Clayton at Atlantic Travel and company. I think they are based in Washington, DC. They were very professional, but it did take about 3 weeks or so.
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Hi..Salam
I’m a native e teacher also with al khaleej. Been with them for around 3 years. Would be good to exchange some information because a lot has happened.
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Are you still taking questions? I just got an offer letter from them and I wonder about the class size. The reason is that I had a leg injury many years ago and I can’t be standing for long periods of time and when I have taught in the past, my employer always allowed me to sit down in front of my students to conduct the lessons.
Is that ok here or will every class be 40-80 people in an auditorium-style classroom? Because in that case I would have to be standing all day long which could put a strain on my knees.
I don’t have any handicap. It’s just that I’m trying to avoid getting injured again. That would be great if you could reply to this question.
Mr. Anonymous Prime.
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Hey Kendra:
I wonder whether you are still employed by this company?
Many of the reviews online are dated post your acceptance of this position and the most recent comments above. They discuss disorganized management and awkward, systemic, and therefore unprofessional management practices that include non-payment of contractually-negotiated salaries and/or late payment thereof, disorganized management systems, and inconsistent provision of acceptable accommodation.
Your review offers a seemingly genuine conclusion about the company, but not constructive criticisms. If you remain employed by the firm, could you your current views, diplomatic if necessary but hopefully sufficiently truthful. Similarly, if you have departed could you share your perspectives?/
Thanks so much
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Hey Johnny!
Unfortunately, I am not employed by the company any longer. I moved to be closer to my husband, and alKhaleej didn’t have any branches I could transfer to in that location. I don’t really have any complaints about the company- my housing was nice, I got paid on time every time, they provided more transportation than other companies. My Iqama took a while to come, but it was partially my fault as I kept my passport to travel before turning it in to get the iqama. It was very simple to get paperwork, like pay stubs or exit/re-entry visas. My manager also worked with me and fudged the date a few days on my resignation letter so I could easily leave during the summer for my final exit visa without having to return for a few days during the beginning of the school year.
I did have a problem with a manager trying to come onto me in a flirtatious manner, but it was quickly resolved as some of the texts he sent me could have been used as blackmail from my side (nothing openly sexual, but selfies of him by the pool smoking hookah and begging me to come join him. Things his wife would not approve of.) I taught night school and it was a bit of a pain and disorganized, but it was more the fault of the university and not the company.
If I had the choice of staying at my current job as a direct hire at a reputable reputation or going back to Al-Khaleej, I would choose Al-Khaleej without any hesitation.
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Hi Kendra,
I came across your site when researching alKhaleej. Ive just signed a contract with them and waiting on the visa. (eeeek!)
It makes me so happy that you were happy working with AlKhaleej in Saudi. As it seems you’ve been there for a few years based on your answers, I just wanted to ask about the arrival program /what takes place once you touch down in Riyadh re placements etc.
Ive also been informed that I won’t be told which uni ill be teaching in, until i get to Riyadh, do they take personal choice into consideration?
A lot of questions, I know!
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Hey, Karmen! Thanks for the question. I know how daunting and miserable it can be waiting for a visa, so I hope it comes quickly. I no longer work for AlKhaleej (still in Saudi though), but I had a great experience with them. There will be someone at the airport in Riyadh waiting for you (consider yourself lucky if it’s Abdulrahman from Sudan as he is SO helpful.) I recommend going ahead and getting a SIM card for your phone at the airport. The person meeting you at the airport can help with that. They will take you to a hotel that’s located beside the Al-Khaleej headquarters- pretty much every employee has stayed in that hotel. On your 2nd-3rd day in Saudi, you will meet with someone at the headquarters who will give you a placement. They pretty much tell you where to go. I didn’t have any say in the matter. The good news is if you absolutely hate the placement, you can request a different one. I hope this helps!
Message me once you arrive and if I am in Riyadh I will take you out for coffee inshallah.
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Thank you so much for the detailed response. You were so helpful, Allah yibarek. I hope I get to teach in a uni close to Riyadh inshallah, or Jeddah!
I will be sure to give you a shout once I’m in Riyadh inshallah.
Love and light!
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