advice needed
Hi
I have just received a phone call from my husband informing me that he has a job offer in Qatar – details unknown as yet as he works in London during the week and I will not see until Friday to discuss this opportunity.
Any advice or recommendations you can give me about life style, life quality, working conditions, work life balance, living accommodation, transport and also university provision/cost. Personally the last point is important to me as I will complete the 1st year of a 4 year Bsc in forensic science this year but I would like to continue to undertake a degree in maths and IT secondary teaching as I planned to here in the uk.
I would also like to try again to learn Arabic so that I have a basic understanding – what courses are available and at what cost?
So it’s really, what’s good and what’s not so good, about leaving my rural mountain home for a desert adventure?
Oh and his opening gambit on the call was "pack ya bags baby - were moving to Qatar!!!
(I did live in Saudi as a teenager so I have some (if dated 20 yrs) understanding)
Thanks la la
Well, the university news is a shock to the system and different to what I had been lead to believe; I have checked the web sites and unless I could secure a scholarship in the next few weeks (!) it looks as if I may have to put plans on hold or let my husband come out alone for 2 years while I finish my studies here. Not great news, also I am a mature student and I am now feeling very nervous that the culture in universities here is vastly different to the university culture in Qatar.
If I did qualify in the UK as a secondary maths/IT qualified teacher what are the job prospects like in English speaking schools? Also if I shelved my plans what is the likelihood of picking up casual work for a bookkeeper/secretary/typist, or private maths tuition to stop me dying of boredom?
Also I am correct in thinking that there is 7 QatarR to the £1?
So a good salary of 35000QR would equate to 5000£ per month and that’s what you need to be wary of in the package that timescales are quantified correctly. On top of that housing, transport, insurance and fights are needed.
What is the internet access/service like, are there site limitations/blocks, and if I was a housewife would I be able to freely drive a car as there does seem to be some future dispute on this.
What is the social life, clubs and available interests for newcomers? My husband is 17 yrs older than me, obviously no problem to us, but I am not fool enough to think it is not noticeable, would we face “confusion” in the malls or markets places, I am also a long haired blonde and had my hair touched and cut in public many times in Saudi as a teenager, what is the attitude to adult women?
Again I have experience of living non compound in Saudi 20 years ago and obviously that was a slightly tighter regime on lifestyle and behaviour.
Now I have an insight after spending most of last night travelling this board gathering information of some of pitfalls and obvious bonuses, i have a feeling that a few good reds are going to be needed this weekend when we disuss this :)
Kind regards any other information gratefully received and thank you.
There are branches of a few U.S. (and 1 Canadian) colleges here. You can see them all here http://www.qf.edu.qa/output/page307.asp
They are limited in what they offer and are really expensive (e.g., Carnegie Mellon: $35,000). But maybe they offer a program you'd be interested in.
You can just about forget about continuing your education here, unless you can do so by distance learning. There are some branch campuses of American and Canadian unis here, but they are highly specialized in what they offer. There is a local university, but you wouldn't want to go there.
I really appreciate your reply, its what I need, a honest opinion and you have given me plenty to think about and look into.
If it happens, then I am sure (in best terminator style) I’ll be back to seek more insider knowledge.
First off there is tonnes of Info on this site bout pretty much everything you want to know.
But as I have a few times, today even.
Minimum package for you to come here, 35K ryals a month.
That is a MINIMUM for anyone from London or the UK.
Inflation is running at 12% here, make sure you get a good package.
This must include housing.
This is gonna be a massive shock to the system coming here, Continuing your education may or may not be easy, I don't know.
Moving to the desert always seems like a good idea. Tax free money etc etc. But you give up a LOT to get this money and you have to ask yourself if its worth it.
I would guarantee, your education before you come here, getting work could be difficult, and you will be bored without something to do.
Please think very carefully about the move and make sure its a move that will guarantee future financial security. Don't do it on a whim or because Tax free sounds great.
This sounds negative I know I have a love hate relationship with this place. I like the freedon from financial burden its given me but pretty much everyday I feel like I sell a piece of my soul for it.
Good luck