Job Discussion Forums

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I've been lurking around the Middle East forums for a while now, because a stint somewhere in the ME is an option on the table for my family. Both spouse and I have qualifications and experience and could likely swing decent contracts somewhere, with an eye to accumulating some savings.

However, we're in the middle of what passes for a serious heat wave here in the Czech Rep just now, and I'm suffering to an extent that makes me wonder if the ME is a reasonable option for us after all.

You can laugh at me, I can take it, but it's 38 degrees outside and 29 degrees inside and I hate every minute of it.

How bad is the heat in the ME generally? I know the question is too broad - it's a big region and some places are humid and some dryer - dryer is clearly better. Do you just run from AC to AC? Is AC common everywhere?

I'd welcome any input on how hot/what kind of heat/ what options for escaping it are featured in parts of the ME.

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

When I lived in Peru I thought I would just melt in the heat, but it's downright chilly compared to Oman! Temperatures in the summer, from what I've heard (haven't lived through it personally, since that's when we get our vacation) get up to 50. In my town, it was at or above 40 pretty much every day starting some time in May--except for a few days when the cyclone passed through. At least it's a dry heat.

I survived by just staying inside in air-conditioned buildings, but I really don't like all that cold, processed air. I had the sniffles off and on for the last several weeks before I left on vacation. And I hated being cooped up inside! Not getting any fresh air! Now that I am back in the US for a couple of months, I spend several hours every day just being outside--walking, sitting in parks and reading, whatever... just to get some fresh air and feel the sun on my skin.

The heat in Oman was tolerable, though, for the few minutes that I was exposed to it each day--walking between buildings on campus, walking to my car, etc.

But now for the good news--winter is really nice there--temperatures in the mid- to high-20s, clear blue skies, etc. And chilly at night.

d

miski · Joined: 04 Jul 2007 Posts: 298 Location: Kuwait

Today in Kuwait the temp is anwhere around 50+. But saying that, we live most of our life indoors in summer. When I say indoors I don't mean stuck in the house! We drive everywhere and all buildings have AC- most shopping is done in malls so indoors also.

Some maddies do stray outside to the sea...I used to once...but too many sun induced wrinkles now......best to do that between 8 am- 10 am but by then the temp is up to 50 anyway.

The temp stays above 40 until about October. From October until April the temp is lovely. But you can tell a 'long timer' in Kuwait in the month of May when they arrive at work saying ,' It's ONLY 43 today........'

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Thanks for the responses!

wow.

My parents live in the mid part of the state of Georgia in the US, where it's often above 30 celsius, and humid. It's an armpit, in my view - but I'm very much a northerner (would really like to relocate to Scandinavia, am ok with long nights in winter ).

Anyway, thanks to the parents, I'm well-acquainted with the AC to AC sprint, and it's good news that there are good temps in the 'winters.'

My Russian students say that there IS no bad weather, only inadequate clothing. Is it true for heat as well?

Any further info will continue to be greatly appreciated!

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

hey, and, denise, enjoy your vacation! I am jealous because I haven't got one until at least September this year, but....
at least it's going to be COOL!!

canadashirleyblue · Joined: 06 May 2007 Posts: 162

It is VERY hot in the middle east. I think you need to look at the humidity as well. Most of the time it is quite dry and that really makes a difference. There is air conditioning everywhere and you don't go outside much when it is really hot (you probably wouldn't go out much if it was 30 below either). You get to have summer holidays then anyway. It is really hot (I consider above 35 C to be really hot) from maybe the beginning of May until the end of October.

As far as clothing is concerned these are Muslim countries and you have to dress modestly! I used to get sick every year in the winter but I was rarely sick in UAE, Saudi or Kuwait. May or October (change of season?) seems to be the time for illness.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

When you have been here through a summer you begin to appreciate what this place must have been like before electricity and before air-conditioniang. No wonder the locals are..................lethargic !

stoth1972 · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 8:21 pm Post subject:

It really depends on the city, I think. Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi in the UAE are sweltering hot AND humid, while Al Ain being inland is much less humid, and just hot. Parts of Oman inland are the same. It's so cliche, but when it's a dry heat, it's much more bearable. The trade-off for these horrid summers is a fabulous October-April.

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

trapezius · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 10:25 pm Post subject:

sheikh radlinrol · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 1222 Location: Spain

I played golf all the year round in both Kuwait and Riyadh and never felt any ill-effects. In fact, I came away feeling that the climate was a plus. I liked clear blue skies more than 300 days a year and I thought Riyadh had a fairly pleasant climate. Kuwait, of course, is an oven from May to September but you are never far from the sea and there are swimming pools galore. From January to March it's marvellous.
I heard people grumbling about many things but not the weather. I never heard of a single person who left because they couldn't stand the heat!
If Spiral78 makes it to the Gulf he will probably have lots of things to complain about but I imagine the weather will be well down his list.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Thanks much, everybody, for the extremely useful info!

Am going to research weather trends seriously; thanks to trapezius for the links, and you others for personal anecdotes - they're always engaging and I trust your impressions.

I'm not contemplating a ME stint without some previous experience of both heat and cultural aspects - I think it's really important to have a good idea of what you're getting into!

I think the mode/role of students will be the biggest 'culture' shock for me, honestly. I've been working with immigrants to Canada and European professionals who tend to be highly motivated and hard-working. But I have done a couple of stints with classes made up entirely of Saudis (in Canada) and I have at least a glimpse of how it can be, to try to teach a (relatively) unmotivated audience... it's tough! I admire you guys who are making it work.

Looking forward to joining you sometime in the (relatively) near future.

Bebsi · Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 958

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

We had the same heat wave in Turkey a few weeks ago. It was awful and I sufferred. I also spent a couple of summers in the Gulf and the difference is they are prepared for the heat. Don't worry about it.

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

The temperature in Doha is unbearable right now- my mates in the UK complain about the rain but I would do anyhting to be there right now! ...but everywhere you go will have ACs so you will be OK......just try to avoid the box type ones, they can be so noisy and makes it difficult to sleep at night Sad

any idea which Gulf country you are heading to Spiral?