Ignore cabbage, she just likes to get the attention she gets from stirring. Good for you, Cabbage, to give all your money back to your organization. Not all of us are as privileged as you, so we have to worry about providing for our families.
Yes, you should haggle, even though EC is generally a good place to work. If you are working at one of the EC universities in a highly skilled position, you should expect a salary that is 20-40% above the equivalent position in the US (the percentage depends on the demand for the position and your qualifications; it's usually a bigger bump for faculty). So whether or not 27,000 a month is a good deal depends entirely on your position. Medical from EC is good, and currently provided by AXA via the Qatar Foundation. I would ask about housing, because the quality varies, but generally what I have seen is good. One benefit that is fairly standard is home leave allowance. Different companies/universities handle it differently, but generally it is the equivalent of a full economy fair or business fair to your home country. I know at least two of the universities provide its equivalent in cash.
Also, if your children are school age, you should be arranging places as soon as possible, as deadlines for next autumn at the two main English national curriculum schools (DESS and Doha College) have passed or are fast approaching. There are lots of good threads on QL about schools in general for further info. The HR department at your prospective university should be able to help.
Because you are already in a good job, I would suggest, of course, that you think very carefully about coming here. Qatar is a good place to live and work, but like anywhere in the world it has some downsides. Education City is also generally a good place for a expat to work. It has an energetic environment and is full of interesting people; it's also family friendly. If you have not visited already, I would strongly encourage you to do so before committing and bringing your spouse with you. Its a short flight from London and well worth the investment of your time. Visas are given on arrival to UK citizens, and the HR department can arrange housing tours and visits to the schools.
Finally, find out about vacation time. American institutions/companies tend to give very little of it.
Ignore cabbage, she just likes to get the attention she gets from stirring. Good for you, Cabbage, to give all your money back to your organization. Not all of us are as privileged as you, so we have to worry about providing for our families.
Yes, you should haggle, even though EC is generally a good place to work. If you are working at one of the EC universities in a highly skilled position, you should expect a salary that is 20-40% above the equivalent position in the US (the percentage depends on the demand for the position and your qualifications; it's usually a bigger bump for faculty). So whether or not 27,000 a month is a good deal depends entirely on your position. Medical from EC is good, and currently provided by AXA via the Qatar Foundation. I would ask about housing, because the quality varies, but generally what I have seen is good. One benefit that is fairly standard is home leave allowance. Different companies/universities handle it differently, but generally it is the equivalent of a full economy fair or business fair to your home country. I know at least two of the universities provide its equivalent in cash.
Also, if your children are school age, you should be arranging places as soon as possible, as deadlines for next autumn at the two main English national curriculum schools (DESS and Doha College) have passed or are fast approaching. There are lots of good threads on QL about schools in general for further info. The HR department at your prospective university should be able to help.
Because you are already in a good job, I would suggest, of course, that you think very carefully about coming here. Qatar is a good place to live and work, but like anywhere in the world it has some downsides. Education City is also generally a good place for a expat to work. It has an energetic environment and is full of interesting people; it's also family friendly. If you have not visited already, I would strongly encourage you to do so before committing and bringing your spouse with you. Its a short flight from London and well worth the investment of your time. Visas are given on arrival to UK citizens, and the HR department can arrange housing tours and visits to the schools.
Finally, find out about vacation time. American institutions/companies tend to give very little of it.