JillMV | ExpatWoman.com
 

JillMV

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Latest post on 08 October 2014 - 00:02
It's been a while since I got the Yellow fever vaccine - but at the time I got it at the Govt vaccine center -- which in near QDC. At the time, you only needed your Qatar ID, not even a HMC card. It cost 10 riyals - which was for the Yellow Fever vaccination card. Other vaccines I have gotten there have been free. I do believe that they have certain hours/ days for vaccines each week. A friend of mine went there a couple of weeks ago for typhoid vaccine and a few others and was told she had to go for an appt later in the week to see a dr. She did this, then got the vaccines, again, very little cost.
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Latest post on 28 September 2014 - 22:02
I use Uber and Careem pretty regularly. I have also used Uber in the US and Careem in Dubai. I generally prefer Careem, particularly because you can book in advance (although that costs more). I also like that you can add "notes to driver" so you can add in an important detail. Careem was particularly great one friday when neither its app nor Uber's was finding any drivers -- and a few minutes later I got a call from the Careem office in Dubai saying they could find someone for me event though nothing came up on the app -- and the driver was there quickly. With both - i like that you can trace where the car is, that you know the driver details, plate number, etc, and can send it to a friend/ spouse/ parent along with confirmation that the rider has arrived. <em>edited by JillMV on 28/09/2014</em>
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Latest post on 03 September 2014 - 15:31
Hi PompeyPFC - I asked my husband and unfortunately he does not remember. Sorry- it was 2011 and the memory is foggy. I remember actually asking on the ExpatWoman Dubai board for pharmacies convenient to the airport and then calling the ones they suggested. My husband does not think that he showed the prescription -- but he did have my prescription with him, so I'm not 100% if it was needed or not.
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Latest post on 02 September 2014 - 10:28
I needed this a couple of years ago and my husband flew to Dubai to get it.... not the answer you want, but he called a pharmacy close to the airport in Dubai to put it on reserve then flew there and back. At the time, we were told it was not available in Qatar at all, so I guess it's helpful that it's in the country now.
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Latest post on 28 August 2014 - 00:16
TII in Education City opened a year or so ago -- they now offer Arabic, Spanish, French, English and Mandarin. This is the link to their fall Arabic class schedule. http://www.tii.qa/language-center/arabic/arabic-fall-courses. These classes are open to everyone in Qatar for a reasonable fee. If you're part QF, in the past, the recreation center sometimes runs conversational arabic classes. In the past, VCU and Faculty of Islamic Studies have both offered community arabic classes.
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Latest post on 21 August 2014 - 22:17
Not in the area... but two new schools that branches of well respected schools are opening in Wakra - GEMS American Academy and Doha British School. Most likely you'll have the best shot of getting spots there.
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Latest post on 21 August 2014 - 19:00
I like Dr. Samer at Al Ahli very much. He was particularly excellent when my son was hospitalized for 3 days when he was 9 months old. This was the first time we saw Dr. Samer and then have continued to see him since.
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Latest post on 09 August 2014 - 23:19
The more you can avoid the packaged American brands, the better your bill will be. But regardless, groceries are ridiculously expensive here. Look closely at things like berries -- they are often outrageously priced. For country listed - it may make a difference in your taste or your assumptions about the method of production. For produce, I'm told that Jordanian produce has tons of pesticides (whether or not that's true, I don't know).
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Latest post on 09 August 2014 - 23:15
won't he have to fly in a crate?
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Latest post on 09 August 2014 - 03:17
Doha Vets/ The Veterinary Surgery has them. http://www.dohavets.com/contact-us/
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Latest post on 01 August 2014 - 10:55
not the answer you want to hear... I have looked and never found any. I bring them from the US. I haven't looked in the last year or so, but before they were not in the country. <em>edited by JillMV on 01/08/2014</em>
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Latest post on 31 July 2014 - 11:05
We buy it regularly at Megarmart -- the Center or the one in Abu Hamour area. The Carrefour Market in Abu hamour has also had it lately. They have Organic Valley brand and sometimes another as well.
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Latest post on 22 July 2014 - 20:35
We bought a travel nebulizer in the pharmacy opposite Carrefour in the Dar Al Salaam mall, near the florist shop. Not Boots - the other pharmacy. The brand we have is PIC and it works well. We have the same brand for our non-travel one. I have also seen them at Kalood Pharmacy in the Abu Hamour Petrol station before.
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Latest post on 18 July 2014 - 14:18
BabyShop also has a selection. Better prices than Mothercare and Mamas and Papas.
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Latest post on 12 July 2014 - 16:50
also wanted to add that the labor law of Qatar considers a standard week to be 48 hours, so this would be consistent with labor law -- but it may or may not be what the company actually follows.
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Latest post on 12 July 2014 - 16:46
if you are with Sidra and affiliated with QF as suggested below -- QF has multiple excellent swimming facilities that includes ladies' hours. I have also seen posters around QF about ladies' swimming lessons in the past.
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Latest post on 12 July 2014 - 14:51
At the US universities, standard hours are generally 8:00/9:00 - 5:00 Sunday - Thursday. A lot of construction companies tend to require Saturdays. Not sure about oil and gas Military contractors often work saturdays. Sorry that's not particularly helpful -- it varies by company and at times by position.
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Latest post on 09 July 2014 - 18:38
Yes, our nanny left twice on the multiple exit permit -- once home for vacation and then once with us on a trip. No problems. She is Filipina, but I don't think that would matter. We like knowing that she has it - especially since my husband travels so much. I would hate it if our nanny had some sort of family emergency and couldn't leave because we couldn't get an exit permit with dh out of town.
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Latest post on 07 July 2014 - 18:02
No problem. The plugs are UK style- so you need a plug adaptor (or you can force it in the plug, but that's probably unsafe). Same voltage as Europe. Actually, you'll find that a lot of the appliances sold here have the European plug.
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Latest post on 07 July 2014 - 17:57
In general, airlines are responsible for returning passengers to their departure location if they are denied entry to a country- so they essentially can become defacto immigration officers. A few years ago I found that Qatar airways was one of the only airlines that knew Americans could get visa on arrival and didn't need one in their passport to board the plane. I remember my mother calling me in tears when she was trying to board emirates at JFK to come to Doha and they were telling her she needed a visa (she did get on the plane in the end). Perhaps if you are concerned, the employer could advise what their experience has been and if it would make sense to carry a copy of your husband's contract or something?
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Latest post on 07 July 2014 - 12:01
we got a multiple exit permit for our nanny last year.
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Latest post on 06 July 2014 - 17:28
Studio Qatar on Salwa
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Latest post on 06 July 2014 - 17:25
you could get her a multiple exit permit
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Latest post on 02 July 2014 - 21:58
like lalala, my husband has been wearing knee length shorts non-stop, year-round for the last 8 hers we've lived here. When he goes to govt offices, he generally dresses nicer though anyway so he gets better service/ treatment. That said, there is campaign in full swing lcalled "reflect your respect," which indicates that males and females should cover their knees.
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Latest post on 30 June 2014 - 21:18
For a few questions that may not have been answered. 2) Internet – really it's only sites that have pornography that are blocked -- or that have words that trick the automatic censor thing into thinking it's a bad site. I will say it was very difficult doing internet research for bachelorette party ideas. That said, the US sites like HULU.com, Netflix, and the tv channel websites are only free if you are in the US - so if you want to watch them here over the internet, you'd need to look into a VPN. 3) The ministry of culture is mostly concerned about books and movies that are about or contain nudity, sexuality, anything about religion, or Gulf Politics. If your books and movies are not in those categories you should be ok, but it might be easier to bring them digitally. 4) As the previous posters mentioned, there's plenty of salmon available. My husband says it's all farmed salmon, not wild. Ikea has frozen fish products available including lox. 6) Income tax – there is no local tax. So you do not pay income tax to the Qatari govt, but you might have to for your home country. 8) Driving – I have never seen a place where they drive like this. I haven't been to Russia, but I have driven in Italy, France and Germany and found it very calm and easy on the highway and in the city --- although in parts of Italy the roads 15) Getting around without a car – many people have drivers who they rely on. Uber is also now in Qatar as is a similar company, Careem. The rates of taxis have gone up, I think for a private driver, you're likely to pay 40 -50 riyals per trip at a minimum these days. If you can find a driver who you like, that is great, but if you are relying on the taxi companies, it can be frustrating. 18) Internet connection- at my house it's great.
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Latest post on 13 June 2014 - 22:05
If I had to get a bunch of these items, I'd definitely go to Ikea. Although other places do sell these types of things, I think you're much more likely to find what you want all in one place by going to ikea.
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Latest post on 26 May 2014 - 23:19
Eleonor- you can get free vaccines at the Vaccination unit on wholesale market street. You just need your Qatar ID. I've gotten a few vaccines there. I forget which hours they do the vaccines, but there are specific times for vaccines. Otherwise most of the private hospitals offer them as well.
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Latest post on 26 May 2014 - 23:10
Carrefour in Dar Al Salaam often sells frozen gluten free rice- based baguets in the chilled section. They are pretty good. Megamart has a number if different gluten free breads, but I don't think they taste very good. There is a bakery somewhere near the race track that bakes gluten free bread, but unfortunately I don't know the name and have never been there.
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Latest post on 26 May 2014 - 22:59
Hi Mrs_NJT. Sorry- wont be much help. I flew home to have my baby (this was my plan from before I got pregnant).
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Latest post on 19 May 2014 - 10:33
Congrats on taking the leap to start your MBA! I am also doing a degree online. The Georgetown University Library is open to the public. It offers a public membership to check out books, DVDs and periodicals. I'm not sure how many business books it would have, but does have lots of economics books and journals. More information here http://www.library.georgetown.edu/qatar/visitors HEC and Carnegie Mellon have more of a business focus, but I'm not sure how open their libraries are.
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Latest post on 10 May 2014 - 22:18
I do want to add that the houses are sort of a frustrating layout. For a five bedroom house, there is not a lot of living space. Tons of bathrooms (seven!) and two balconies plus a porch, but the dining and living areas are too small for the rest of the house. The kitchen is pretty nice and there are already closets/ wardrobes in all the bedrooms (that is not necessarily standard)here. <em>edited by JillMV on 10/05/2014</em>
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Latest post on 10 May 2014 - 22:15
For the size of the house in that area of town with the location and amenities, it's probably one of the better deals you'll find. I do think the facilities are a little small for the number of people living in the compound, specifically the playground. The houses are all five bedroom houses, each room en-suite. one bedroom on the ground floor, three on the first and one in the "penthouse." In theory there is a maid's room off the kitchen, but most people use it as a pantry or something else because it is so tiny. If you have kids at ASD, Doha College, Al Jazeera Academy, or Doha British School, it's really a great location. Cambridge School for girls is very close too and the Indian school was, but I think it recently moved. There's a small playground, basketball court and mini-soccer field. There's a pool, minimart and men's and women's hair dressers. There's also a coed gym and a ladies gym plus a hall you can rent. In theory there is supposed to be an indoor playground, but it has never opened and I suspect never will. I'm not thrilled with the compound management, but it's ok and better than the previous compound management. The yards have grass - which I have mixed feelings about. it's sort of nice, but I think expensive and a waste of water - but some people love having the bit of grass. I'm guessing the comment about singles is that it's mixed housing -- villas and apartments, whereas most compounds are only villas that largely have just families. So there are single people around, but I didn't realize that was a problem either! There are also lots of families who live in the apartments. It's animal friendly if that's important to you. Living next to the mall is SO convenient too.
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Latest post on 06 May 2014 - 22:18
not necessary, but appreciated and worthwhile if you're able to learn some.
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Latest post on 06 May 2014 - 22:12
Sidra does have its own school. It's essentially a new branch of Qatar Academy. I'm not sure if all the grades are open yet, but it's been going for at least one year now. It should be high standard. I think it's temporarily in the old Phillipino school, but I'm sure will move to a nice building in a short amount of time. I imagine that the HR officer can tell you more about the Qatar Academy Sidra school. <em>edited by JillMV on 06/05/2014</em>
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Latest post on 03 April 2014 - 08:38
1- I know that Sidra has bought/leased some compounds that are complete. For the housing right next to the hospital, I think that's still in process. 2- still a shell, but their hr has been hiring like mad to get ready for opening 3- not open, but Sidra is part of Qatar Foundation which has a good number of Candians working there and a lot of Americans. Many of the doctors will be affiliated with Cornell Medical School- so perhaps you can check out their list of drs/ researchers. 4-lalala definitely covered the major trends. There are also a bunch of people going to the Cuban hospital (part of hamad) for deliveries - but it's an hour drive from Doha. I think the general consensus is that Hamad and it's branches (like the Cuban hospital) have the best equipment and specialists, but may have a wait time or bureaucracy that is less of a problem at the private hospitals. There are also still a lot of western expats who fly home to have their babies. Some of this is to have the support network of grandparents/family and some for citizenship reasons.
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Latest post on 17 March 2014 - 22:14
our current compound requires us to pay a maintenance fee on top of our rent. I think it's insane, because we already pay too much rent... we didn't pay our maintenance for this year until they said they wouldn't do our winter AC cleaning/ maintenance until we paid our fee :( in our previous compound all maintenance including AC was included.
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Latest post on 17 March 2014 - 22:07
Sorry, I have always dealt with them just by email. and when they have delivered the stamps, I never seem to be in the office.
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Latest post on 16 March 2014 - 18:14
I have dealt with this company a number of times - they always do a good job. almana at acstamp dot com dot qa. sorry I don't have a phone number.
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Latest post on 26 February 2014 - 01:15
Hi SpeedyC, As far As I understand, at Hamad, they charge only based on FOUR criteria: Qatari, non-Qatari resident professional/ family, non-Qatari resident laborer, and visitor. As far as I know, in Qatar, preexisting conditions are irrelevant, particularly at Hamad which is a public hospital. Until you have your resident's permit, you are considered a visitor. If you search the HMC site, they used to post costs for visits and medications. In general, it's very affordable and I would say the best care in Doha, although some might say the private clinics are better for general care -- but for heart, I think Hamad is the place to go. My experiences (very few) of Hamad have been positive -- but I haven't had anything serious to worry about here.... I would see what the other ladies have to say
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Latest post on 14 February 2014 - 09:25
We use IBQ and they have been good. When we first moved here we were with HSBC - and they were horrendous. In Qatar, the ATMs do not charge fees if you are from another bank... at least as far as I know. You can take out from any ATM regardless of the company you bank with. So the ATM network isn't really much of a factor in choosing a bank.
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Latest post on 27 January 2014 - 03:07
Yes Fast Track is included coming back in... and if they don't give you a little fast track ticket on the plane then just flash your business class stub and you can enter the gcc line at immigration. or alternatively get e-gate and it doesn't matter what class you pay for!
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Latest post on 23 January 2014 - 01:13
no they do not. I think Emirates does. If you book through certain travel agents, the travel agent may offer that service regardless of the airline. Business on QR entitles you to the Business Class Terminal and then the "Fast Track" line in e/immigration (if you don't have egate).
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Latest post on 19 January 2014 - 20:12
i've lived in a bunch of places and all types of places and have had dogs in all of them... but there are some compounds and a lot of apts that do not allow dogs, particularly furnished places. one compound we lived in allowed dogs, but you had to walk the dog outside of the compound. now that we have an almost 2-year old, i like the compound setting because it's easy for my son to play with other little friends. i think it is also easy to meet people compared to an apt block or stand alone. you will get more house for the money with a stand-alone, but i would recommend a compound with a young child and when you're new to the area.
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Latest post on 11 January 2014 - 20:54
My step-daughter went to high school here and went through the application process at one of the EC universities. In the end, she decided to go to the US for university, but it was a very difficult decision for her. She was definitely leaning toward school here for a while. There are a lot of advantages to the schools in Education City, but of course there are advantages to school in the states as well. I was split on which one I thought was better for her. In the end, it was her decision and I think she made the right one, but I do not think it would have been a bad choice to stay here either. Luckily she was fortunate to have a few great opportunities to choose from. She has a lot of expat and local friends at school in Education City, and they are all happy, challenged, and enjoying school. There are a good number of expats in education city whose parents live in Doha. There are also a lot of foreign students who live in the dorms. It's an extremely diverse campus, which I think is part of what makes the experience so great. It's best to check with the admission departments if you want student body statistics -- or better to come on campus and take a look around. All of the schools' admission offices are open during the weekdays. As to whether it is hard or easy -- I don't think anyone considers any of the programs in Education City to be easy. But I have generally heard that the ASD students feel well prepared. Almost everywhere there is a period of adjustment freshman year when students need to learn how to study, how universities work, etc. Most of the Education City schools run summer programs for high schoolers to get a feel for the campus and for college-level work. I know that the application for the Georgetown one is already online. If you have a high schooler, I would highly recommend these programs.
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Latest post on 05 January 2014 - 02:15
for airlines -- definitely check out the Qatar Airways website- they always have lots of jobs if you're interested. you will find mixed reviews about the job search here. As a "local hire" you might not earn as much as you would expect as many companies do not give benefits to local hires. For Admin/ PA, the jobs do come available and I think are decently paid (but of course it depends on the company). I would recommend looking at the oil companies, financial companies or Education City schools for best pay. As I understand, jobs in nurseries do not pay nearly as well as in the US/ UK. I'm not sure what the qualification requirements are -- I don't have the impression that they are that high to be one of the assistant teachers in the classroom, but perhaps the lead teacher has more qualifications.
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Latest post on 11 December 2013 - 04:23
it's a good question -- when I took the Hamad course they said that if you have their certification in First Aid and you act in good faith you would not face problems... but I'm not certain
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Latest post on 28 November 2013 - 00:53
HI Sra, I'm from the US, but have lived here for over 7 years now... now that Ikea's here, remember that you can (finally) get relatively cheap, simple basics easily, so you don't need to fudd over things you can find at Ikea. The US is WAY cheaper than Qatar for clothes. So don't pack lightly thinking you'll buy lots of clothes here... I swear the clothes fit differently too because there are more British and European brands. Also, crazy as it may sound do bring a few winter clothes -- because from Qatar you will travel lots and need a wool coat here and there for travels. if there are particular food or personal item brands you can't live without -- ask on this forum if they're available here. Most of the popular shampoos are here, but as mentioned tampons are limited. Cheerios are hard to find. There is a store, Megamart that sells lots of the US brands, but if you need your real American Oreos, or something like that, it can be hit or miss finding them here. DO get an international driving license before you come. If you have room to bring a gas BBQ, bring it. There is some sort of inexpensive conversion you have to do to change to the local gas, but a BBQ that would be $300 at Sears/ Home Depot is $1000 here. If you have kids, bikes seem very expensive here. There are lots of toy stores here that carry most everything, but the US has better baby stuff and cheaper, better quality toys. The US also has a better selection of kid's sporting equipment.
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Latest post on 21 November 2013 - 21:03
I took one here through the Hamad Training Center. Sorry I don't know how much it cost :(
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Latest post on 07 November 2013 - 00:17
Hi - my friend and I used to play regularly for a few years... then we both had babies... and are now in sad shape. she lives on the Pearl. We played (terribly) together last week. she also has some friends on the Pearl who seem to be interested in playing.. maybe we can play together.
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Latest post on 30 October 2013 - 09:27
if your husband pays for the Al maha service that DebK mentioned, he can pay for your visa for you. I think this has to be done 24 hours in advance these days. It is more expensive, but it eliminates the hassle. I do think a debit card would work as long as it is one that you could usually buy things with (visa or MC logo).