Some questions on moving to Doha!!
hi everyone! - myself and my husband are being moved from Aus to Doha with his company in a couple of months; the company organise all the logistical stuff, but I have a few questions and if anyone can give me some info, that'd be great!
1. How much roughly can you earn teaching english in doha? apparently the british council only run a TEFL course once a year, is it possible to do a course with any other organisation?
2. What happens at Christmas?? I know Qataris don't celebrate it, but do any of the big hotels do a Christmas-type lunch or anything? (not necessarily looking for a turkey roast, more just a way to mark the occasion!) We hope to have family out from the UK and I am not sure if we'll be out of temporary accommodation or sufficiently equipped to cook up a storm at that stage!
3. We'll probably be living on one of the big compounds; do the property owners generally accept dogs? I really want to bring our lovely girl over if possible, although she could stay with our neighbours indefinitely while we check it all out first. Also are there any pet-minding facilities around? Or is it more a case of asking someone you know to help out? I saw the Qatar animal welfare organisation had closed down, for some reason. I would love to hear from dog owners in Doha and find out what your experience has been.
4. Are there any career advisory services who can help with jobfinding? If the english teaching is not an option, I would stick with the corporate thing if there's anything available (human resources - ish.)
Thanks! looking forward to making new friends in Doha..
thanks all for your helpful and welcoming notes! yeh my post was a bit long wasn't it...I could have gone on as well! I will start looking for a christmas lunch booking .....and I am coming to Qatar with a very open mind, I know it's going to be v different to Europe / Aus / Asia, but I think it's going to be a great region to live in, and we're looking forward to doing some travelling from there. I am a bit worried about driving in Doha, but hey I'll deal with that when I get to it!!
hope to talk to you more, and meet some of you later in the year!
Getting your dog here should not be a problem. Contact the airline you will be flying on and ask them the requirements to getting you dog here and they will check and let you know.
You should not have a problem finding employment here.
WHo knows, if all goes well, we may have a QL Christmas Ball :-D
Mornin to u Otter,
Jus went thru ur long post...anyways...i guess u have already been informed bout Christmas and lunch by our 2 special ladies...Novi and Herne...so that takes care of it...by the way...i m no Christian...but i have to tell u that the Christmas Turkey i had in Perth was fabulous and i had one here as well, and i can say for a comparison that things here are not that different from down Under...u will have a lovely time here...at christmas...
Second, there are quite a few rules and procedures to bring in ur dog here...and yes big compund owners and independent houses do allow dogs or pets for that matter...but it wud be always a decent option to confirm with the real estate agent or the landlord to be on the safer side...to be quite frank...to my limited knowledge pet minding facilities for dogs arent that advisable but still for confirmed reports u might wanna check in the Pet forum...
English teaching is always a very good and respected option here in this part of the world...since this place is looking towards betterment...in language speaking abilities...with the locals i mean...so that option is always quite good...u cud try ur hand in schools, colleges, English teaching courses organised by the various universities here and in those ways keep urself busy...
Else jobs here in good companies arent that easy to get by...i m sure noone will come and knock on ur door with an opportunity, u have to bring with u patience and virtue by which u cud end up in a good place in a good position...so try to hang in there and take things step by step...
Life here isnt the way it is in HOME...its quite different...so first things first...get used to the weather, then get used to the ppl, for that we are all here to get u settled in...so WELCOME TO DOHA and HAVE A FANTASTIC TIME...looking forward to have u on board...
CHEERS Buddy...anything else let us know...!!!!
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" Live Life To The Fullest ! Enjoy Yourself "
Yes, big hotels organize Christmas Lunches or dinners, and believe me, there are many many hotels overhere! :)
Yes, of course you can bring your dog here, it would be difficult to explain everything now, so just see the Pet and Animals Group here in Qatar Living, and you will find the answer for all your queastions.
I am sure you will be able to find jobs. You can work with big companies in the HR department, but about teaching english I don't know much, but sure there is a need for it, as it's the second most important language here (or maybe the first).
Welcome in Doha in advance!
Plenty of Christmas Dinner ... with turkey and stuffing. You jst have to book in advance. They fully booked very quickly.
Regarding about your dog, do check on Qatar Living Animal Group. There are kennel in Doha ... but they also quickly fully book during holiday season.
The rest have to be answered by other members since i dont work ...
And ... welcome to QL :D