Job Discussion Forums

nathan_lomax · Joined: 16 Mar 2007 Posts: 9 Location: Bahrain

Good morning, good afternoon, good evening,

I applied to work for HCT and I'm already 'in the pool', waiting to be picked. Just wondered which college is the best for all round quality of life with young kids in mind.

I have heard that Dubai is not a good place to live and people say Abu Dhabi is similar. The new MZ college sounds like a long commute. I haven't heard much about Sharja, Al Ain or any of the others.

Any insights would be valued,

Thanks

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

Since you get very little input into the choice, I'm not sure what it matters. They put you where they need you. Some prefer Dubai, some prefer Abu Dhabi, some prefer Al-Ain and some prefer RAK, and etc. Any of them is fine for young kids.

VS

NadiaK · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 206

What VS said.

Strolling minstrel · Joined: 19 Jul 2006 Posts: 18

Nathan,

VS is right up to a point. They take your family circumstances into account, and then they put you where they want. There is no point putting a family man with kids needing schooling some place where it can't be accessed as he will be leaving pretty quick. For a good blend of OK traffic conditions (important given the lack of public transport), decent living accommodation (your accountable allowance goes much much further) and pleasant environment, Al Ain is a good bet for a family.

nathan_lomax · Joined: 16 Mar 2007 Posts: 9 Location: Bahrain

Thanks, I'll wait and see!

Gauguin · Joined: 28 Aug 2005 Posts: 54 Location: At the Cutting Edge

Knowing the age of your children would help here, Nathan. If they are under 12 then any of the rural areas are good, I'd recommend RAK for the sea, mountains, sailing club, camping, a decent mall, and easy assess to Dubai for day trips.

The expat schools here are well staffed and seem to have settled down after a bad year, last year. If however, your kids are taking violin and ballet lessons then the city is for you. Driving back and forth along the Emirates road twice a week can wear you down. Young teenagers, unless into outdoor activities, easily become bored out in the sticks and soon start yearning for their mates back in Blighty / Stateside / Down under.

However, HCT will send you where you are needed, that�s all part of the deal. You�d have done better asking this prior to the interview. Either way, welcome to HCT.

gauguin

tek44 · Joined: 25 Feb 2007 Posts: 32

Any word on life in Fujairah?

NadiaK · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 206

There is life in Fujairah, I hear, but it seems quieter than the other main HCT locations, and is certainly a smaller town than Al Ain and RAK. Those who live there say it's good for families with small children - there's a decent British curriculum English-medium school which seems to be good at the primary level and OK at the secondary level but with very little choice at A-level (some families do leave for the bigger cities once their kids reach secondary age, though).

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

I like Fujairah, and I believe it has got better over the last ten years.

tek44 · Joined: 25 Feb 2007 Posts: 32

How about the HCT schools in Fujairah?

hb · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 12

How much do they pay at HTC?