Teaching English in Nizwa, Oman: Alumni Q&A with Edward Young

What is your citizenship?
United States

What city and state are you from?
Gary, Indiana

How old are you?
31

What is your education level and background?
Bachelor's Degree

Have you traveled abroad in the past?
I taught English abroad previously in Japan and South Korea.

If you have traveled abroad in the past, where have you been?
I have traveled throughout Asia, Europe, Australia, Egypt, Canada and Mexico.

If you have studied abroad in the past, where did you study?
Egypt.

What sparked your interest in going to teach English in Oman?
My interest in living abroad was sparked at the age of 18 with my first trip abroad as a college freshman. After graduation I wanted to get back abroad and I did so in a major way by teaching in Japan for 3 years and in South Korea for 4 years. After many years abroad, I returned to the States after long last...but the draw of life abroad pulled me away once more.

What were some of your concerns before teaching abroad in Oman?
None really. I just wanted to make sure I used every single pound allowance that I was given for baggage!

What did your friends and family think about you moving and teaching English in the Middle East?
There were mixed emotions, mostly worry and anxiety but, as I've done in the past, I didn't allow their fears to influence my decision.

Why did you decide to get TEFL certified and choose International TEFL Academy?
As someone who previously taught abroad before getting certified, I knew that I needed a TEFL certificate that would be respected all over the world. The certification offered by International TEFL Academy provides a first class education that comes second to none.

Which TEFL certification course did you take?
Online TEFL Certification Class.

How did you like your Online TEFL Certification Course?
I felt that the amount of material was adequate and there was always a wealth of feedback and advice given for every assignment. If I ever needed help or assistance my instructor promptly replied to my emails.

How has your TEFL training helped you in your current teaching position?
It has helped to make me a more well-rounded and complete ESL instructor.

Which city and country did you decide to teach English in and why?
I am teaching English in Nizwa, Oman.

How long have you been teaching English in Oman and how long do you plan to stay?
I have been teaching English in Oman for one month and there is no window on how long I will stay yet.

How did you secure your English teaching job in Oman?
I applied directly to the university from abroad.

How did you get your work visa? If you didn't get a work visa, please elaborate on working under the table without a work visa.
The school takes care of all things visa-related.

Tell us about your English teaching job in Oman!
I work 5 days/week (Sunday-Thursday) for 8 hours per day; however only 20 hours per week are spent in the classroom. The remaining time is used for office hours and lesson planning. This semester I teach English primarily to first-year university students. Teaching English in a university in the Gulf, the salary and the vacation time are great! I get about 49 days per year vacation so that allows for plenty of travel time.

How did you find somewhere to live and what is it like? Do you have roommates?
My school provided a one bedroom flat that is fully furnished, has plenty of space and even includes satellite TV at no extra charge!

Please explain the cultural aspects, public transportation, nightlife, social activities, food,expat community, dating scene, travel opportunities, etc. about teaching English in Oman:
I am highly into health and fitness, so being in an area of the Gulf with mountains and varied terrain is wonderful. There's plenty of hiking and camping to be done and a wealth of cities to travel to within the country of Oman.

Traveling throughout the region is also cheap and easy to do and the bustling city of Dubai is just a stone's throw away by car or plane! One of the biggest surprises for me so far; however, is how low the cost of living is. Eating out is cheap, yet healthy and delicious.

What are your monthly expenses?
As for monthly expenses, all I really have to worry about are phone, internet and food. Of course travel and social activities come into play as well...but those things only happen every now and then.

How would you describe your standard of living teaching English in Oman?
Financially stable and very comfortable.

In your opinion, how much does someone need to earn in order to live comfortably while teaching English in Oman?
About $1500/month but teachers here make well over that.

What advice would you give someone planning or considering teaching abroad? Would you recommend teaching English in Oman?
Go for it. Whether you're in your 20s, 30s, 40s or beyond... don't "consider" it forever and then let the opportunity pass you by - just do it!

Go Further: How Much Do English Teachers Make in Oman?