marycatherine | ExpatWoman.com
 

marycatherine

marycatherine
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Latest post on 18 July 2015 - 12:47
The OP should be aware that what happens in Dubai is not always the same in Doha. Please try to get info from either someone here with direct experience or contact the Qatar Embassy in UK.
marycatherine
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Latest post on 17 July 2015 - 23:52
I have no problem with the child being present, so long as Mum is willing to pick up my tab if my salon experience is disturbed by her child. As others have said, part of the salon experience is being able to relax and be pampered. Crying babies on airplanes are to be expected sometimes as there are few transportation options for families, especially long haul. Getting a blow dry is a very different situation.
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Latest post on 17 July 2015 - 23:29
Prozac is generally a restricted drug in the GCC. The UAE for instance, has it on the regulated drug list which means you cannot bring it with you even with a prescription unless you follow very strict guidelines (which are alluded to in the website) http://www.uaeinteract.com/travel/drug.asp - and it is a very serious offence if you try to do so. Hopefully someone can give you more info on how to get a prescription after arrival and how much it will cost. If you google Brit Expats you may find a website with fellow Brits who have direct info.
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Latest post on 17 July 2015 - 21:31
You have to have proof of insurance before you can register your car. Third party insurance is what you will be able to get. Get QIC to issue the insurance card and take it with you to registration.
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Latest post on 13 July 2015 - 02:44
No you cannot. No GCC country will allow the import of a car greater than 5 years of age unless it is an antique.
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Latest post on 12 July 2015 - 23:46
No one will be able to provide you with a VPN legally in the GCC. Many install them on their computers before coming to the Gulf.
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Latest post on 12 July 2015 - 23:45
Wiggie, it's far easier to give you an answer to your last question if you take a few moments and decide what you or the children couldn't live without (or without a lot of tears and frustration). Favourite cereal or skin cream for example. A lot are available here but others aren't. Also remember that certain items that contain pork in any way shape or form (instant pudding for example, contains pork gelatin as the setting agent) are NOT available here. Real vanilla extract isn't either because it is packed in alcohol. Take a look through your cupboards and review your kids' favourites and come back. If we've seen it, we'll be able to let you know.
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Latest post on 08 July 2015 - 18:59
If you're coming in with him and Hamad is arranging the flights and entry visas for everyone you won't have a problem with a Canadian passport
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Latest post on 08 July 2015 - 18:57
Don't bring him in August. He will be mostly confined to your home and shopping malls. The weather is miserable hot + high humidity so walking is a chore even when the sun goes down. I would recommend waiting until late September/early October when the humidity is starting to break. HTH
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Latest post on 08 July 2015 - 18:56
If you do a quick search on the right hand side topics on the forum you should be able to find info on Expat Woman coffee mornings and Doha Mums just to get started. There are others as well. YOu might want to do a search on meetup groups as well. HTH
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Latest post on 27 June 2015 - 03:23
I very much doubt if QP permits double dipping for any of its employees, and the OP's DH will be working for QP. Most government/government related organizations require employees to complete a form that outlines what benefits, if any, the other working spouse receives. Driving is bad and steadily getting worse. However, if you are an experienced driver and take your time learning your way around you would most likely be OK. Be aware roads are often closed with little or no notice and you may find your known route is now unknown. Many people start by driving around early on Friday mornings when there is little traffic and you have the opportunity to take your time and learn the layout of the roads. SIDRA was doing a lot of hiring which never came to fruition. Others have said Hamad is hiring - I don't know if you have a specialty in nursing but that could be a big factor in making you more desirable. I have known UK nurses working in the UAE, but they were at smallish, well run, international clinics/hospitals geared towards the upper middle class. Good luck
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Latest post on 25 June 2015 - 18:54
Being hired locally may not mean a lower salary, but fewer benefits. If your spouse is getting medical, tickets home, education allowance etc. etc. with his employer, then your offer probably won't. I would imagine QP would be an employer who would keep a close eye on "double dipping" possibilities. I don't know the school itself so can't comment on the quality/standard. Perhaps your husband can ask this of potential new colleagues? I have lived and worked in Qatar for almost 10 years and 15 years+ in the GCC overall. Dukhan is [u'>really [/u'>small town living with few facilities outside of what QP provides for employees and their families. It would suit me, middle aged single female. As for a 12 year old, I can't comment as I've never had my own family.
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Latest post on 23 June 2015 - 15:27
Is there somewhere you could "plant" yourselves that is central for the family to come to you? It's what my sisters have done, especially when they had more than 1 child. Sure, you may have to make some day trips depending on where you are, but nothing can make up for having your own space and making your own routines around visitors. You may find family might prefer this setup, because after all, they're giving up their privacy and routines (usually) to try and accommodate you and yours to some degree. Some might say it costs too much financially, but the peace of mind and lowered stress levels? Priceless. Hope you find a solution to fit your family
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Latest post on 23 June 2015 - 15:22
I would suggest you check your offer, you never had a contract, you had a contract offer. ALL expat contract offers are ALWAYS contingent on your meeting the Ministry of Interior's visa requirements (and you can't pass all of those until you are here, on the ground). One of those requirements is having a job available, now there isn't one. You can make legal enquiries but you will probably find that you don't have a leg to stand on HERE. However, if the company has offices in your home country you may be able to pursue them legally there. The legal system here is antiquated and decisions are often dependent seemingly on wind direction, the judge's digestive system and whether you wear glasses or not. I'd be very very very surprised if you got a positive response from a lawyer of any ability here. And able lawyers are few and far between too. Get some legal advice but I've never seen anyone win anything in your situation in 15+ years in the GCC. The 2 websites mentioned previously do not address reneging on contract offers, probably for good reason. It's very frustrating, and frightening when you've literally turned your world upside down to come here and now it's all been chucked back at you. I can only imagine the stress and emotional roller coaster you and your family are now on.
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Latest post on 18 June 2015 - 07:57
I'm not saying this to be mean or accuse without facts. Just want to add that you should educate yourself on when you return to Oz what it will entail for your pup. I know Australia has very strict quarantine laws and sometimes some people, when they have to leave (and that's everyone of us and it can happen with very little warning despite having a contract) feel forced to leave their pets. It is extremely difficult to rehome pets on short notice - right now all the rescue services are over capacity and more and more dogs/cats are being abandoned by people leaving for good. I know I wouldn't have come if I couldn't bring my dog. But my country has different rules than Australia and returning on short notice would be a lot easier for me to arrange. I am only asking that you seriously consider your situation and circumstances so that you make the best choice for your family and your pet.
marycatherine
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Latest post on 18 June 2015 - 07:50
There is no dependable public transport in Qatar. Full stop.The drive is about 1 hour but be aware that the entire country is under construction and that could change literally overnight. Also, there are a lot of very dangerous drivers here and if you are at all nervous, you will have a difficult time adjusting/coping with the idiots on the road. There is a large modern hospital close to Dukhan - the Cuban Hospital (it is under the Hamad Medical group - the public hospital authority). The school itself is for the children of QP employees so it is very diverse in terms of nationalities and ethnicities. I don't know anyone who works there but I would expect it to be pretty good - QP generally looks after their teachers at their various schools pretty professionally. As for Dukhan - I would love to live there. It is small and quiet and you would have access to QPs beach club facilities. On the downside, there is the refinery and if you want fancy restaurants and more selection when shopping for anything, you'll have to travel into Doha. HTH
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Latest post on 14 June 2015 - 21:05
Shouldn't a husband be supportive of his wife's career aspirations? Or does marital support not cut both ways? Both of which you have addressed alamenia. Is this a good career move for him? I don't know. OP has not indicated as such or provided any info on her DH's current position/salary/benefits or if this is a stepping stone for him. Perhaps I've missed something, but based on the posts, he wants to come to Dubai but no other info was provided. Why is it negative for her (and us) to consider her options here?
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Latest post on 14 June 2015 - 10:32
To the OP. I would seriously think about staying where you are if you are younger (say 30ish) and working on your career at least for the short term (next 2 or 3 years). Can you and your husband agree on his commuting for lack of a better word for that period? If neither of you has lived/worked here before it gives you both a chance to test the waters before making a commitment you can't easily exit from. If his new job does not provide sufficient remuneration for him to fly back a few times a year, I would question why he wants to come (that is, if he is working with a reasonable salary in your home country) as it can be difficult to find and switch to a better job once you are here.
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Latest post on 13 June 2015 - 14:05
As you say Kama, changes to Kafala may come. It has been a work in progress since 2005 when I arrived. I wouldn't hold my breath.
marycatherine
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Latest post on 07 June 2015 - 07:18
Gee Skytear Needed to resurrect a 4 year old thread to promote these people?
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Latest post on 03 June 2015 - 22:22
That may be the law daily but I have never seen it enforced especially for municipal workers. The law states if temperatures reach 50+ workers on ALL levels are sent back to their barracks not just when the date comes up. but maybe there is a clause on date and actual temperatures. BTW what's the temp in your office today? I know I wouldn't be in mine if it was even 40+ but I come from a country that sees even wilder temperature fluctuations so maybe that's being taken into account
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Latest post on 03 June 2015 - 21:05
So all the labourers on construction sites and municipality workers were sent home? Great news! The Government is enforcing the laws! Or was that part of the news feed?
marycatherine
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Latest post on 03 June 2015 - 12:06
The official temperature never hits 50C - not once in nearly 20 years.
marycatherine
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Latest post on 03 June 2015 - 12:02
newbegging - be aware that if you take up a job here while waiting for SIDRA, that job will have to issue an NOC (No Objection Certificate) for you to be able to take up any other position in Qatar without getting a 2 year ban. This is the Kafala system and it ties employees to an employer whether or not they complete their contracts without problems. The employer must issue the NOC for you to move elsewhere without the 2 year ban. If it's not written into your contract (and, honestly even if it were IMO) you are rolling the dice on this. There is also a new post on the problems with construction on the other thread that indicates the opening may be literally years away
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Latest post on 01 June 2015 - 08:29
You don't have certification yet to teach English. You have no experience. You are not certified to teach in the US or UK school systems K-12 or I've missed something in the previous posts? You do not qualify for any jobs that will provide you with sponsorship and benefits (medical/annual tickets/housing, etc). It is illegal to work here without proper sponsorship. Housing is expensive and if not sharing, you may have to pay the full year's rent in advance - if not sponsored, you cannot get a bank loan for this purpose. Unless you've got a good financial cushion to keep you going while you try to find one of the AED7,000/month jobs you're going to find it tough sledding IMO.
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Latest post on 31 May 2015 - 12:28
They're probably alright for casual dining places as you mentioned in your last post. You might want to see what the other children are wearing during Ramadan though as people tend to dress more conservatively.
marycatherine
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Latest post on 30 May 2015 - 09:56
How old is the boy and what type of restaurant?
marycatherine
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Latest post on 30 May 2015 - 09:54
Can your friend get someone to surrender their passport as surety so that she can leave the country? I know this has been done in the past under slightly similar circumstances - of course the guarantor will then not be able to leave the country. Dentro, I know of at least a half a dozen cases where people have been banned from travelling including a British woman who was involved in a court case (not a criminal case) just before the beginning of the summer vacation period. The court banned her from travelling and then promptly adjourned until September. I don't know either the OP or the others involved but it sounds legit to me given the laws on debt in this country.
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Latest post on 30 May 2015 - 09:30
It will depend on your actual job title/position as well as your salary. Your employer's HR people/PRO should be able to advise. Visa availability for certain nationals are restricted - but that's for a work permit. He would probably be able to come if he were to be a house husband. In order for him to be legally employed he has to be sponsored by his employer who will be subject to the availability of a visa for a Syrian employee.
marycatherine
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Latest post on 28 May 2015 - 07:25
How would his brake lights stop someone behind from using their phone while driving? Would be great if it worked like that.
marycatherine
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Latest post on 28 May 2015 - 07:24
You've left this very late. If you do a quick search others have made recommendations in the past (check the pet forum below). Spots at the better kennels go quickly. Start calling around.
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Latest post on 28 May 2015 - 07:22
I 'm not sure I would agree that a 4 week old post is out of date. That poster and a few others within 10 to 14 days previous had all had word either from SIDRA or their recruiter that their hiring was on hold at least until March 2016. Perhaps someone who is in that position has heard something new and can update here.
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Latest post on 26 May 2015 - 08:27
Have you read the previous threads on this topic? They were relevant up to a couple of months ago. SIDRA is several years behind schedule. I know someone in engineering that comes on an as needed basis to review progress on construction. They will be coming again over the next 3 - 9 months.
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Latest post on 08 May 2015 - 08:40
You cannot PM on this forum. Most post an email address (I wouldn't use my main one here) and spell it out like myusername at email dot com and then remove it once the receiver indicates that they have the address. You want to do this to avoid getting spammed or worse, hacked <em>edited by marycatherine on 08/05/2015</em>
marycatherine
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Latest post on 03 May 2015 - 08:25
Doha is not Dubai in 2003 (or even 2000 when I first stepped off the airplane). Dubai had/has public beaches within easy access - none in Doha City unless you belong to a hotel and even then the choice is poor IMHO. Traffic is insane and getting worse. Dubai has never seen anything like quality and quantity of idjits on the road here even while they were building the metro. Life is what you make it wherever you go, however, your options are very limited here in comparison with Dubai even 15 years ago. I don't mean to be negative but these are the facts on the ground here - I've met others who have lived in Dubai who had problems adjusting (some couldn't) to life in Doha. <em>edited by marycatherine on 03/05/2015</em>
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Latest post on 03 May 2015 - 08:21
Decide what you can't live without specifically and then ask about those items. We all have our own ideas on what we need and what we can get by without. Tattoos and body piercings are technically not allowed in Islam. However, they are tolerated and of course there are many ladies from the subcontinent with nose piercings. Clothes are definitely more expensive here and generally of a lower quality at the lower price points.
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Latest post on 01 May 2015 - 19:09
THIS IS NOT DUBAI by any stretch of the imagination. If you are imagining your lifestyle in Dubai as being on par with Doha you will be mistaken. Doha is in a perpetual state of trying to catch up while being more restrictive (not necessarily a bad thing) than Dubai. There are fewer entertainment and outdoor activities to choose from. Certainly you can see the entire country in less than 6 hours and there's not much of a variety to choose from. Only you can decide if it's a good fit for your family, but you will need guaranteed school places in a school acceptable to you, housing (it's rising every day) as well as the rest of the expat package. Without them, don't come, it's not worth it - certainly if you can't get by with only the coffee mornings alone.
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Latest post on 01 May 2015 - 19:04
Unfortunately, this is a very rude introduction for professionals to how things can go awry here in this part of the world. Qatar has had many delays in major projects (and will continue to do so) Sidra being a case in point. Expectations are high when coming from a Western/European perspective. This is a very "young" marketplace which has high aspirations and sometimes low follow through because of the lack of experience, or too high aspirations without the foundation to support them. Live and learn
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Latest post on 27 April 2015 - 17:47
It depends on your position. Some are not subject to bans.
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Latest post on 27 April 2015 - 17:45
Looking at their website there are no pictures of the management or faculty. They have no official accreditation in place, which probably is OK as they are new. However, it doesn't specify which Canadian curriculum is in place (each province has their own standards, but any Canadian International school I've ever seen specifies which provincial standards they adhere to.) There is no mention of the teachers' credentials (again, each province has their own criteria for certifying teachers as being qualified to teach the curriculum - it's generally not hard for a qualified teacher to move from province to province but it is required to be certified for the particular curriculum). I would be asking the senior management these questions. I'm sure they have answers, they just haven't included them on the website. Shadowmist - when did your older son start with the school - this year?
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Latest post on 27 April 2015 - 07:54
Exercise can only improve any discomfort or mood swings some may experience before or during their monthly cycle. I thought the myth of having to "rest" was debunked 25 years ago? Perhaps this hasn't yet taken hold in some societies? I had someone tell me last year not to drink cold water after exercising because it could trigger a heart attack????
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Latest post on 27 April 2015 - 07:52
CassM is posting the same message on the Doha forum by resurrecting an old thread. Be very careful. Perhaps this person is legitimate, but it looks funny on the surface.
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Latest post on 27 April 2015 - 07:50
The previous poster is resurrecting old posts and making recommendations. They have a brand new identity and only 2 posts (here and in the Dubai forum). Be very careful. Perhaps this person is legitimate, but it looks funny on the surface.
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Latest post on 25 April 2015 - 08:17
The majority of 5*employees are Asian. Any European employees are usually in senior positions. To my understanding, many are working for about USD1,000/month plus shared accommodation (this would be servers, front desk/reception, back of house staff, etc.) I have no idea what senior staff would command.
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Latest post on 23 April 2015 - 20:47
I buy stevia at home. It comes as a liquid (dissolved in vegetable glycerin). No other additives. I like the liquid because it is readily soluble. However, I use it in my coffee and as a sweetener to my homemade Greek yogurt and fresh fruit combo mostly.
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Latest post on 23 April 2015 - 09:17
If you have a local bank credit card you have to cancel it at least 90 days before leaving (with a zero balance) or the bank may block your withdrawing the amount of your credit limit from your current or savings account(s)
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Latest post on 16 April 2015 - 06:36
This situation is fairly common in Qatar. And it doesn't always improve once you are here. To keep one's sanity you have to have a lot of patience and lower your expectations. Quasi government organizations here are very slow moving entities and are encumbered with miles of red tape and mounds of paperwork
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Latest post on 09 April 2015 - 15:16
Have you had a proper interview? I can't imagine a UK hospital employing someone without an interview either by phone or videoconference or Skype. Most employers foot the bills for visa/processing costs - anyone who is asking you for money probably is not legitimate. If their email address looks suspicious (ends in .tk or it's a gmail or live.com address) then it most certainly isn't the hospital. There are lots of thieves who use real hospital names and names of real employees at those hospitals - but that's not who you are dealing with directly. You need to be very careful here <em>edited by marycatherine on 09/04/2015</em>
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Latest post on 09 April 2015 - 07:58
click on your user name in this post and then on the number beside Total Posts on the next screen
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Latest post on 05 April 2015 - 19:57
If they are passport holders that qualify for visit visas on arrival they can get them when they get off the plane. They will need a credit card. No problems staying at your accommodation. If they don't qualify for an on arrival visa, you can arrange one via a hotel. There is a charge but they can still stay with you if your employer (if they are providing your accommodation) permit.
 
 
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