How to lead a successful expat life in Qatar
Expat life isn’t always easy. At times things do get bleak. Starting from the culture shock, the road and traffic confusion, the language barrier, the isolation and the absence of familiar faces until choosing the right doctor to treat that tiresome wheeze or knowing where to run to get that Chinese ingredient, things can be pretty tough.
However, leading a successful expat life isn’t rocket science. Here’s how you could achieve just that;
#- Start loving the country where you live. Of course Qatar might not be anything like your homeland, so stop comparing it with your home country.
#-Explore this new country, visit the Katara, Museum of Islamic Arts, Souq Wakif etc. and many other places outside Doha [Read “Ten places you could visit outside Doha” for some ideas]. Click a few pictures and cherish the memories.
#- Learn Arabic and get to know about the Qatari culture, or at least make an effort to do so. “Tips to get you going in learning Arabic” might help you.
#- Be happy with what you have. Sometimes, an expat’s life won’t be the high-end, luxurious one that most people tend to imagine. Yet, be content.
#- Follow local websites like Qatar Living, I Love Qatar, Doha News etc, and newspapers like The Peninsula and Gulf Times to be in touch with the country’s latest updates
#- Save as much as you can. However, let that not stop you from enjoying your expat life too.
#- Call your family and friends back at your homeland. Remember, they are going through a tough time without you too.
#- Don’t be a guest in your new country. Try to make it as yours as much as much as you can
#- Most importantly, be positive. There will definitely be some hard days. Go through them as bravely as you could.
Got any more tips to add? If so, comment below!
(Cover image courtesy: Lawrence Wang)
We use to have complain about the food on a daily basis in our organization. We being related to hospitality industry & I can assure the food is sufficiently good enough due to my wide experience in the industry. And many others feel the same as well.
However the guy’s always complain. (But not all of them). Believe me some of the complainant, for my natural eyes, I so them eating a very heavy meal in many occasion when there is no one in the cafeteria.
I am sure, every human, on a daily basis will not have complete meal. There are times people rough it out and forego meals. So, I suggested, the employees should have a natural knowledge about around the globe as well. Particularly the suffering countries for food.
End of the day, I know our guys are good worker’s, but need the attention of brushing out few areas. It can apply for anybody for that matter. May be educated, but not enough big heart to appreciate something he consume.
I am trying my best to eat my meal & fill my stomach as , 1/3 is food, 1/3 is air and 1/3 is water.
Thank you and wish everyone a pleasant day ahead
No, we should wear pink glasses.
Brit, WE should not calculate when it comes to the compassion for something .................... provided it's from your heart ................ Thu, 04.02.2016, 07.55 hrs
zackm: This is what people forget. We are here "temporarily" , till they no longer need or want us ...
Enjoy it whilst here, but don't think its permanent
Zack, When you are in love with a situation you wont leave even if you are forced out ........... ......... take example of a black bee who gets herself trapped inside of a flower and never cares to save herself ....... just for the sake of love for the scent ...............
thumbs up to Mohammed's comments ...
the most important thing in your life is your relationship to your lord because it is the only thing that determines your destiny and abode in the hereafter. so work on fulfilling the purpose of your life to the best of your abilities , you don't have to worry about anything from this material life it's short so enjoy it and be optimistic ! stop complaining and look at the bright side of things ! even if you can't see anything good about something that happened to you .. rest assured that Allah has put a wisdom in it , but you can't see it , what God has chosen is always better for you...
After All this is one of the best countries in the world that you can live in today , and enjoy a peaceful life .
#I love Qatar
MM, you can rot here till they give you the boot!
All the joys for those who has a positive mind set ..................... there is no better place than here .................. Wed, 03.01.2016, 09.33 hrs
Yes when you don’t give a legal admission, the output and a thinking of people cannot be changed. We know educated people bound to work according to the law.
However, we understand in reality that nothing comes along with us during our last journey to the burial. In this context, I suppose the life should be eased and it’s nothing that one need’s to stay forever in any country for that matter.
We know, European countries provide residence permit and the migrants can live forever, for generations. End of the day the person who worked hard, initially to get this status to his generation, may not found interesting for his grandchildren. As they already living there and they may ask for more. May be look for other countries to peruse their employment / career.
In my opinion, a human cannot change another human’s desire. Take everything positive make life easy. (What I do is, I ask my god every day morning make my day & path clear. So I feel my day is good as I believe something immaterial. However if don’t do this in one particular day I start to worry on that day. Otherwise, it’s good or bad I take it positively and keep my life going).
Btw: Work hard to get the purpose done. I don’t believe spiritually you will get things in to your hands.
Its all illusion, we will all be sent back at some point. Don't be laxed, be prepared. Make and ave much money as possible and when its time to jet out...jet out!
I know how hard to adapt in new country , especially ...Qatar due to it is old way of running. We are group of the young engineers creating the New Service which will help you find any service with best money/quality ratio .... Follow me if you would like more ..We will hep you to fill here like at HOME)
As per the picture keep visiting souk waqif for a successful expat life
mohamed: It is indeed a paradox.. People say they love Qatar, they want to stay forever, yet they also complain and whine about things.
I admire the point that, love the country you are in.
If you see the amount of schools and the children studying over here, I cannot understand why still the people call it as we came to Earn money only.
Of course this may apply for a lowest or the labor category, What about the others. People are spending money, shopping around, bringing their parents, relative, friends, visitors, wife’s etc.,
For me this country gives the best of opportunity to be close to my faith, as I find masjid’s every where. It may not the case around the globe as there may be better environment , development, educated people, professionals, skills, scientist, technologist, greenery and many more. But all what matters to me is, stay closer to my beliefs.
I thought, Qatar brings only experts in any given subject to improve their country. Some time I wonder, why the thoughts are not like as experts for some people.
In my organization, even to recruit a cleaner or a driver, they look for experience. So I can imagine, the higher position’s too having the best of expertise with them. So in this case, I suppose this country hopefully will reach the best of stage in the world scenario as it’s driven by the best of experts from all over the world.
" Don’t be a guest in your new country. Try to make it as yours as much as much as you can." - They will not let you do this officially. The laws of Qatar speak a different language.
#- Don't Take out a hefty loan the first chance you get
#- Immerse yourself in local culture - start by drinking Karak
The more you will involve yourself in new culture & life here, it will be easier and great to live. but "Working, Eating, Sleeping, Repeat" Strategy will definitely bore your soul & you will curse qatar life rather quitting your laziness.
Yes, Optimist and Positive people are never unhappy.
Unfortunately most are 'fault finders" and a few are "good finders", which is why they tend to foster negativity by default. A little change in thinking can promote happiness on a large scale.
I know how hard to adapt in new country , especially ...Qatar due to it is old way of running. We are group of the young engineers creating the New Service which will help you find any service with best money/quality ratio .... Follow me if you would like more
Do something productive for the salary you are earning without posting rubbish on Qatar Living during your working hours.