teenager moving to Doha

Islip36
By Islip36

Maybe some of you have been in this situation, if so would you be willing to give advice or share your knowledge. My 19 year old son who was in school in the USA now want’s to come and join his father and me here in Doha. We were expecting a summer visit, but he wants to make this a permanent arrangement. Is this possible? How is sponsorship handled? Can we sponsor him? Do any of you have young people with you taking college classes on line? Would he be eligible for employment? I have told him he would most likely not be able to have girlfriends even as pals. It looks like our honeymoon is over. Has anyone else brought a young person in this age group here and if so how did they assimilate? Thank You.

By noname• 12 May 2006 11:32
Rating: 2/5
noname

ЙŎńâmê

simply say no to him, he will face alot of problems, he will not get accustomed to this culture, its a closed culture here, and he can do nothing, no girl friend no alcohol , no entertaiment, no sports, nothing at all, this country is very very boaring, i think he will recognize it by himself, and let the visit be just a small test for him.....its not about hot weather or humidity, its all about culture....this culture is really closed, and people here have strict mentality, am not saying backwords people, they have there own traditions, which will be unfamiliar for westreners......simply say no to him.....

By lilipink• 4 May 2006 21:02
lilipink

That's good advise..lili.

By ummsumaya• 4 May 2006 17:08
ummsumaya

hiya,

I actually think that it's quite lovely that your son would be keen to come and live with you at the age of 19 and after having experienced the 'freedom' of uni life.

My 2 cents: enjoy having him around, it won't last forever

By Islip36• 2 May 2006 21:22
Islip36

He is coming for the summer. That was always part of the plan…and it will give him a taste of the life style… I think it’s just the idea of being able to learn Arabic and live in a country with a state sponsored religion. That sounds good to him. Currently he is a religion major and had seemed happy …Maybe we are just dealing with a failure to launch. I did have questions in my mind about his age…..and sponsorship….hmmmmmm turning off the AC….That could be a last resort thing.

By getinandstayin• 2 May 2006 16:00
Rating: 4/5
getinandstayin

coolasice.. im not sure. are you allowed to sponsor children (for residence) over the age of 18? apart from visits (and maybe further education)?

Islip36.. let him come over for the summer... im sure the 50 degree heat, 100% humidity and lack of "entertainment" will help him make up his own mind. you can help by periodically turning off the a/c during the night while he sleeps and tell him the electricity is unreliable :)

Respect

GIASI

By coolasice• 2 May 2006 12:42
Rating: 5/5
coolasice

Regarding the sponsorship issue - Yes , all your husband needs is a Residence permit and he can sponsor your son here in Doha provided that all the necessary formalities are completed. Your husband needs to get it done through his sponsor and complete the paper work i suppose at the immigration dept. But hopefully the change of culture won't be too much for him. Good luck....

By Super7• 2 May 2006 11:50
Rating: 5/5
Super7

Just tell him no. He will suffer from doing his education here because he will miss out on key formative things in the US. The sport here is very poor and as you say there are not too many girls. Most importantly though all the friends he makes here will be transient. That is they all have bases somewhere else. Whereas friends he makes in his home country are likely to remain there.

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