Job Discussion Forums

wompler · Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 6

My fianc� has just been offered a job in Doha, so it looks like we'll be moving there in October and staying for 14 months. What chance do I have of getting a job teaching English there? I am a 29 yr. old American female with a B.A. in Portuguese and a minor in TESL, as well as another minor in Secondary Education. My teaching experience consists of working as an 'Interaction Leader' at an English school connected with my university when I was in college. The position was similar to a teacher, though I couldn't be called that because I had not yet finished my degree at the time. It was mostly conversational English rather than grammar.

Accomodation will be provided by my fianc�'s employer, but it is as yet unclear whether or not I can get a visa and/or flight through them as we are not yet married. Could I get these through a prospective employer? Conversely, if I already had these would it increase my chances of getting hired?

I was considering doing an online TEFL course before arriving, but I've read elsewhere on this forum that many schools in the ME will not accept an online certificate. As we are currently traveling in South America and are not settled in one place, online is my only option at this point. Would it help me get a job or not? Otherwise, are there TEFL courses offered in Doha itself? If so, about how much would it cost and how long would it take?

Finally, if I can't get a job teaching English, are there any other jobs that might be available to me? I speak Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Italian as well as English, but no Arabic. I also have some experience in translation and in the tourism industry.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

I know of a few non-native speakers(but fluent) who went with husbands and were able to find employment in primary schools(no teaching experience or qualifications)

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

wompler,

This is the Gulf and a very conservative Muslim country. I suggest that you read up on the culture. They will NOT give you a long-term visa. Living together is against the law, and although it is rarely enforced against Westerners, best case is deportation after an unpleasant stay in an unairconditioned jail. There has been discussion of this topic around this board many times.

If you plan to join him, I suggest that you marry now so that you can get a visa. Once you are there, you should be able to find a teaching job with your current credentials.

VS

blues clues · Joined: 28 Jul 2004 Posts: 61

It may be illegal to live together in Qatar, however I knew many couples who did so and no one ever bothered them. As an American, you can travel to Qat on a tourist visa which one gets at the airport upon arrival. I think the cost is 55 riyals.once you get there u can look for a job and ask them to sponsor u, or u can just fly to Bahrain or Dubai every few months to get a new visa.

Cheers...

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

There are random couples who are living together all around the Gulf. In the couples with any intelligence both of them have jobs and contracts and FLATS. The fact that they live in only one of them provides them with a 'cover.'

The fact that some are doing it does not make it legal. Nor does it carry any water when you are sitting in the 'pleasant' Gulf jail hoping that they just deport you without the required number of lashes. That is their law and if one doesn't wish to follow it, one can choose to take the gamble.

Personally I feel that people who want to live a Western lifestyle should stay in the West. To go to a conservative Muslim country and live together at best shows a complete lack of respect.

VS

Bebsi · Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 958

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

Bindair Dundat · Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Posts: 1123

Yes, you can get a job here. The papers are full of job ads.

Yes, getting married first will increase your chances, as spouses are often given preference.

Living with your BF would be a great way to introduce MUCH more stress into your life than you anticipate.

Bindair Dundat · Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Posts: 1123

Bebsi · Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 958

Hmmmmmmmmm...a book!! Now, dmb, that is an idea worth thinking about........ Idea

Seriously, being prepared to compromise is 99% of the battle in surviving and indeed, thriving in the Gulf.

wompler · Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 6

Thanks for all the replies. My fianc� and I have both travelled in many Muslim countries and do have great respect for the culture. We are not trying to deliberately flaunt the laws and customs of Qatar, but our situation may make it impossible to do otherwise.

We had been planning our wedding for next March, but then he got this job offer about five days ago out of the blue. We are currently in the middle of a year-long trip in South America. We have been looking into getting married now somewhere in S.A. ever since we found out, but the marriage laws of the countries we have tried so far make it either impossible or very time-consuming, and we don't have much time as he is supposed to start work within a month.

Anyway, thanks for the help and I'll let you know how it turns out.

Bebsi · Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 958

Hmmm...yes, you've got a problem there Wompler. Have you tried an online-search for quickie marriages? After a long time of hanging around waiting for divorce paperwork to get sorted, it took my fiancee and I just two weeks from starting the actual process to tying the knot, in Romania. However, she's Romanian. If she hadn't been, I assume it would have been much more difficult, or even impossible. However, it might be worth enquiring about. We DID have to get a Certificat de Coutume from my embassy, to say I was fully divorced and allowed to be set free in the world of matrimony once again! That, however, only took a couple of days.

In KSA, I heard of one westerner who went across to Bahrain for a quickie marriage with his fiancee, whose nationality I don't know but I am sure she was not Arab (I think maybe Thai?). Try Thailand...I believe they have a quickie marriage programme.

Regarding Qatar, they will do nothing to accommodate you as long as you are single, but when you get married, they will bend over backwards to help, as the Arabs generally have huge respect for the institutions of marriage and the family. In the meantime, I think you will be going there on a tourist visa, and you will have to be very discreet regarding your accommodation "arrangements".

Good luck!! Smile

QatarChic · Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 445 Location: Qatar

There are lots of opportunities to work here in Doha Wompler, so no need to worry about that...mostly you will find that you will be doing a part-time job first and then later this would become full time elsewhere

Thre are couples who live together here in Doha, but in order to benefit from things such as flight allowances for spouses etc and others, it's best to get married first.

Good luck Smile

Bindair Dundat · Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Posts: 1123

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Dave does live in California... so you never know. Cool

but, seriously,

Wompler... why not pass through the US and do a quick civil marriage. Then do another wedding/reception later when you can both get back home. (after the 14 months) Of course, you didn't mention the nationality of your fiancee, and it becomes more complicated if you are not both American.

VS