Job Discussion Forums

Mine's a pint · Joined: 08 Feb 2007 Posts: 46 Location: Somewhere

I applied online and had an interview at a conference.

FrznGuru · Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Posts: 33

I am back.

Hello to Hannibal_the_Conquerer. (I'm not sure which villa you are in...)

Yes, everything is great. I am a she. I love my job.

Notes on the compounds.

Things break a lot and don't get fixed in the time span that you want. But you just take a deep breath and focus on other things.

All of the compounds have a swimming pool, exercise room, big tv room, kids playground, and the tennis nets were just put in today.

The villas are big, spacious, 3 bedroom, nice. Just don't look at anything closely. They definitely weren't built by professionals! Did I mention things break a lot?

They come with the basics. We bought a dryer - it makes it easier with 2 kids.

And when you talk about the fact that they are FREEEEEEEEEEE, they are great. I think sometimes people forget this.

There are some safety issues, being electrocuted while taking the clothes out of the washer. Not enough outlets, so, we have to run a lot of extension cords. That's not so bad, but there have been quite a few floods in the villas. Water + Electricity not good.

I think some people have a hard time adjusting to the way things are done/not done here. Not to say that it's perfect here, because it's not. My husband and I wouldn't be able to have this lifestyle back in Canada. (My husband stays home with the kids.) There are so many wonderful things here.

And about the college, it depends on what department you work in, who do you answer to, and what you teach. I am very fortunate, the person I answer to is great. It's not like that for others. It's easy to get sucked into the negativity, but you don't have to be.

Non-res/Res
I was a resident when I came, then changed to non-resident. My yearly salary increased $9 000. I had a friend who also did the same and his salary increased the same. It's not really hard to become non-resident. I have a house, car, bank account, and mastercard still in Canada. (I told the truth.)

I'd recommend anyone to come here if..

you can let things go. Don't stress about the little things. Ya, your schedule gets changed 3 times in a term. Relax.

Have fun in the round-abouts --- weeeeeee, it's like a circus ride!

love great paychecks!

(Love the weather. Everyday I am just so happy to see the sun -the warmth. It's great. Although it's freezing in my office. I brought in a heater and have bought socks that go past my knees. I have even complicated buying long johns! I can't bear the thought of asking my family in Canada to send long johns to the desert!)

If you have further questions, I'd be happy to answer them.

FrznGuru

FrznGuru · Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Posts: 33

I would just like to add:?

as I was typing this my hot water heater was leaking like someone had turned on the tap.

we have a bucket under it. Actually we have had a bucket under it for 2 months. They keep replacing the valve, but it keeps leaking. They keep replacing the valve, but it keeps leaking. They keep replacing the valve, but it keeps leaking.They keep replacing the valve, but it keeps leaking.They keep replacing the valve, but it keeps leaking.They keep replacing the valve, but it keeps leaking.They keep replacing the valve, but it keeps leaking.They keep replacing the valve, but it keeps leaking.

The house is FREE. What can i say?

letitslidedude · Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 81 Location: KOREA

Hey,

My villa is close to yours and not far from the convenience store!

come on! Let it leak as long as you get that fat check, it's all good! If you are fed up, let it leak, head to the travel agency and book to Maldives only for a week (Call in, FAMOUS SICK LEAVE). Then come back, and get ready to spend your summer somewhere in PEIsland!

You can do it!

letitslidedude · Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 81 Location: KOREA

Hey FrznGuru.

We all know that money is good (20,000 for an ESL teacher, not bad eh!), BUT life in Qatar sucks. Living in Al Jazeera compound, in Al Garrafah where there is nothing and the main source of entertainment is driving to city center. What a life!

I am looking to get the hell out of GARRAFAH and SOON!

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

Frznguru...

great to hear that all is going well with you and that you didn't just melt away into a little puddle... along with the one under your water heater.

It sounds like you have the right attitude for coping with life in the Gulf.

What do the students think of your 'house husband?' Cool

VS

Ka-CHING! · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 102

FrznGuru,

It's great to hear from you. Perhaps we will be colleagues next year. I'd love to hear about your experiences up north.

FrznGuru · Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Posts: 33

Letitslidedude,

I don't live in the compound with the store. What do you teach? I am guessing EFL?

Househusband?! They thought it was weird. they think I am too poor to hire a nanny/maid.

FrznGuru

letitslidedude · Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 81 Location: KOREA

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

Hannibal_the_Conquerer · Joined: 16 Jun 2006 Posts: 21 Location: Doha, Qatar

I would say, of all Guru's advice, the long johns were the one I would never have thought of before this year! It was freezing this winter!!! It was down around 5 degrees. Now, before you folks start spouting off your minus figures from back home, remember there is no heating in our villas and they are all cement. You would be surprised how bad it got.

If any of you get the job over here... bring your woolies!

Good luck

letitslidedude · Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 81 Location: KOREA

Come on! The salary is so good that you can afford at leat 10 silk & warm blankets made in Japan or Korea.

You are complaining about nothing!

Still CNA-Qatar rocks in the Gulf in terms of money, management and more!

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

I come from the coldest part of the US, and I think that one of the coldest winters I ever spent was my first in Egypt. No central heat, stone walls, and high ceilings... with nighttime temps to nearly freezing. Thank goodness for space heaters to huddle in front of!!

And then there are the places in the Gulf who seem to think that because it is 40 outside, you should set the inside temperature to 10. I always had to have a sweater for the offices and often the classrooms.

VS

Solar Strength · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 557 Location: Bangkok, Thailand

Is this college still in business and hiring teachers? I'd heard some grumbling regarding the Canadian head teacher or management personnel and that there were concerns whether the contract for the college would be renewed by the government in Qatar. This was 2 or 3 years ago. Any updates on salary, working conditions and overall morale of staff at this school? Thanks.

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

Interesting that you pulled up a 6 year old thread to post on... while there are at least 4 current threads about this place on this page.

Best to check those threads... and yes, they're still around based on those current threads.

Shocked

VS