Job Discussion Forums

misssapphire · Joined: 10 Jul 2015 Posts: 32

hi all,

This is my first time posting so please be kind.

I have been offered a 5 month post with BC in Doha, I am currently at BC in Paris but i cannot survive on the pay and they can't give me more hours, even with private students I will be working every day to make ends meet.

So as a single woman of 32, is Doha a good / safe place to work for 5 months? accommodation/medical provided, pay 10,500 a month.

Thanks for the advice. I am in a world of confusion over where to work!

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

You'll be safe in Doha. If you have very specific questions, ask the BC in Doha for the email address of one of their single female teachers. But in the meantime, check out http://www.expatwoman.com/qatar/

desertdawg · Joined: 14 Jun 2010 Posts: 206

Is any transportation allowance given or transport provided?

I wouldn't want to live in Doha without a car. Using taxis can get expensive and is inconvenient.

The salary isn't brilliant. The cost of living in Doha is high. Groceries aren't cheap and a night out in a bar or restaurant with alcohol would really eat into your salary.

Everything considered it might be a foot into the door of the Middle East and you could make savings even in five months.

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

I'd go for it. It's short term... with a known employer. You could save a little and get a taste of working in the area. As has been said, it's a foot in the door.

If it is to go soon, be ready for some breathtaking heat and humidity. Cool

It doesn't start to cool off until late October.

VS

topshop · Joined: 29 Feb 2012 Posts: 29

teaching at police college!!! you have no experience in the gulf temperature is 45 degrees right now after five months what then? salary for BC in the Qatar very low and you will not be able to save that much you are I assume paying into a social fund as part of the EU you will lose this if you leave the EU Think hard and wait until you get a long term contract in Qatar or UAE all the best whatever you decide

misssapphire · Joined: 10 Jul 2015 Posts: 32

It's not the police college. I am not male.

5 months then what? Well who knows?! I could get run over by a bus today!

A social fund in the EU? Not that I know of.

So with no experience in the gulf i should wait for a longer contract?

Your message is full of wrong assumptions!

Thank you to the other posters.

millie18 · Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 185

Be sure to ascertain if there are short term rentals available. 5 months is considered short term in much of the GCC where leases are usually 12 months paid in full up front.

I'm sure there are ways around this but you need to know before you arrive what your options are.

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

She said in her original post that accommodation is provided. That is the usual with BC.

VS

millie18 · Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 185

What a maroon! (I am!) Embarassed

I will have to start reading the original post 2x before posting once!

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

LOL... I can't imagine someone hired for a short term like this would be expected to round up housing. That would be even more ridiculous than some of the other stuff going on in gulf education these days.

VS

psychedelicacy · Joined: 05 Oct 2013 Posts: 180 Location: Beijing

spanglish · Joined: 21 May 2009 Posts: 742 Location: working on that

I would go for it - you don't sound satisfied where you are, it will be good to experience teaching Arabic speakers, and you'll likely make some helpful connections; and you'll see if BC Doha is great, terrible or something in between.

I see the short contract as a plus - you get all the benefits without the massive 2-year commitment to a place you know very little about.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Doha is the worst place in the Gulf that I have ever visited. That includes Kuwait ! A short stay there was enough to confirm to me that KSA was the place for me !

Blackbear · Joined: 20 Jan 2013 Posts: 65

Well, well. Another opinion. This thread reminds me of the idea of asking 5 people for their opinion on X and getting 5 opinions on X plus 2 or 3 opinions on Y.

I understand that there is NO lack of folks applying for work in Qatar Friends I know in Doha work at CNA-Qatar and several have mentioned leaving, and then coming back a year later. They are working teaching Engineering Technology, ESL, and Sciences. Happy to be working there instead of looking for work back home.

Yes, there are also some who are waiting for their contracts to end so they can return to Canada. But, not everyone is of the same frame of mind - especially if they have no job to go "back" to. Rolling Eyes

YMMV, and we all know that.

dragonpiwo · Joined: 04 Mar 2013 Posts: 1650 Location: Berlin

I'd go for it. You won't have any problems being a woman other than the odd beeping etc. 10.5k isn't much, so you'll need to find a cheap bech place to hang out and some social clubs to join ie sailing, diving, rugby etc. I liked Doha when i was there. As for any GCC country, try and make your friends outside teaching circles and your life will be much simpler. Half of all teachers (made that stat up) in the Gulf are to be avoided.