Job Discussion Forums

[abufletcher]

I agree with Gordon that this thread has probably outlived its original purpose.

I just wanted to add, on the general topic of "being an expat," that so far I've lived in six countries besides the one I was born in and while each has been its own sort of experience, the similarities have been greater than the differences.

In my last two countries (Mexico and Japan) there is greater encouragement to "live like the locals" in terms of language, housing, food, schools, etc. For example, in Mexico it was pretty much assumed that I would be speaking Spanish to do all of lifes little chores. And in Japan it is assumed that I'll be speaking Japanese and not English when I go into stores. The house I live in here has tatami mat floors in the bedrooms and my children attended Japanese public schools where they were, for the most part, treated like any other Japanese child. It would have been extremely difficult to achieve the degree of "lifestyle-inclusion" that is common in Mexico or Japan anywhere in the Gulf. This does not necesarily mean I have many (or even any REAL) Japanese friends but at least superficially we live like the locals.

Of course the Arab world is considerably larger than the Gulf and I'm quite certain there are places/countries were inclusion is possible and even probable. Egypt for example. During the 6 weeks I spent traveling in Yemen, I found myself experiencing more of Arab/Yemeni culture than I had in several years in the Gulf. People took it for granted that I spoke Arabic, yelled at me when I did things in non-Yemeni ways, and invited me into their homes (at least to the extent that any Yemeni would invite any stranger into their home).

I've lived outside my "birth-country" for 25 years now and I must say I love being an expat -- I'm proud of the label! But many of the things I love about being an expat have little to do with living in a foreign country.

PS. Bindar, I only just now GOT your screen name!

[QatarChic]

I quite like the model that we had at school in the UK. We had RS (Religious studies) as a subject for about 45 minutes per week . We covered the major religions of the world/UK so Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism. It was actually really interesting as we also had field trips so an afternoon in a Hindu temple or attending some kind of festival. I guess for kids its important to be aware of the people around them, their way of life etc. Whether or not it should be compulsory is debatable. But you do learn a lot from it....

[Gordon]

Qatar Chic,
What have you heard about the int'l schools in Doha? I don't recall that you have kids, but have you heard anything from your colleagues?

I agree, knowledge of other religions is a good thing.

[QatarChic]

As far as I know there are separate classes of RS for different religions for some international schools. Whilst others don't have the subject at all- am not 100% sure but will confirm this otherwise....