Job Discussion Forums

Gulezar · Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Posts: 483

Does anyone have any comments on working with Cornell? Is housing provided? Is the housing near the school? Would one need to have a car in Qatar?

millie18 · Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 185

I don't know specifics about Cornell, but usually offshore hires get either housing or an allowance (insist on housing - it's a lot easier and less stressful if the housing market starts going up in price again).

You do need a car. Public transport is available, but waiting for a bus in the heat (yesterday it was 104F/40C - and summer isn't here yet - when it will go up to 120F/50C+ and 100% humidity) filled with people "suffering" from BO - and everyone does, is no picnic.

Taxis are also supposedly available, but are in short supply when you're likely to want one. And don't think you can call one to come - they usually require at least 24 hours notice and don't always show up.

A lot of people establish a business relationship with a private reliable driver that you can call and get them to take you where you need to go.

anaxiforminges · Joined: 15 Apr 2009 Posts: 136 Location: UAE

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

It is neither as easy nor as convenient as it sounds. Laughing

It is the luck of finding the right person.

VS

millie18 · Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 185

It can be difficult for newbies to find the "right" driver. However, asking your colleagues for recommendations can cut down on the frustration. There is a private limo service, Fox, that are pretty good - they charge more than the entrepreneurs though but may serve you well until you can find the right guy.

stickleback · Joined: 01 Jul 2008 Posts: 76

Drivers are unreliable. They cost, too. Rent a car or get your own.

millie18 · Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 185

Sorry your experience has not been as positive as mine Sticklebank. I found my guy within a month of getting here. He makes every effort to come when I ask and if he can't he sends someone else. I have never been stuck for a ride.

Rawdata · Joined: 22 Jan 2009 Posts: 34 Location: State of Confusion

wilberforce · Joined: 27 Dec 2008 Posts: 647

I've been to some parties out at the EC Community Housing. There are a couple of huge compounds. Hundreds of people must live there. They have recreation areas and facilities which are very good. Once the new Science City is finished, the neighborhood will probably mushroom.

My friend who works at Ed City says there is a housing-campus bus service which is convenient if you don't want to drive. The area is very residential, no restaurants or anything. I'd rather live in the city, warts and all. I'd say get a car as there is nothing out there. Some people get a housing allowance but it isn't very much. The rents for most places are higher than the allowance. You'd really have to shop around.

Rawdata · Joined: 22 Jan 2009 Posts: 34 Location: State of Confusion

Hi,
WC housing allowance amounts are not the issue as far as I know.
They are very generous but rents skyrocketed a few years back and I think that may have prevented the padding of some people's incomes. I'm sure this would still not be an issue if they would live wherever they wanted as opposed to where it is "suggested" they do. Some friends (luxury compound dwellers) were getting more than double & triple what a city dweller would pay for a fair sized flat.

Living near EC requires a vehicle or some very patient friends. Razz

.

RD

wilberforce · Joined: 27 Dec 2008 Posts: 647

They are no longer generous and do not begin to cover the cost of renting a furnished villa. They just about cover an unfurnished villa. One of my Cornell Weill gal pals took the allowance and as the rents went up, she had to pay out of her pocket. She left and went home to Australia.

Rawdata · Joined: 22 Jan 2009 Posts: 34 Location: State of Confusion

wilberforce · Joined: 27 Dec 2008 Posts: 647

http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=local_news&month=may2009&file=local_news2009050753619.xml

lollaerd · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 337

Gifted teen to graduate as WCMC-Q�s youngest doctor

Iqbal el-Assaad: child prodigy

Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar is preparing to graduate one of the youngest doctors even as Iqbal el-Assaad, a 16-year-old Palestinian, has become the youngest medical student in the college�s history.
The gifted teenager, who started WCMC-Q�s Foundation course at 13, and joined the Pre-Medical programme at 14, is now rubbing shoulders with classmates in their early to mid-20s, in the Class of 2013.
She has always been a unique student. While most five-year-olds were content with colouring books, Iqbal would be busy reading the newspaper, Qatar Foundation�s monthly magazine The Foundation said.
The child prodigy went through her school life at a rapid pace in Lebanon. Starting school in Grade 2, she moved up to Grade 4 next year, and at the age of 10 reached Grade 9.After Grade 10, the young achiever again skipped another grade and went on to Grade 12 where the 12-year-old had 18-year-olds as classmates.

It was after Iqbal passed her school final with high grades that then Lebanese minister of education asked to meet her.
�He promised me that he was going to get a good scholarship for me. He told me about WCMC-Q, and that he would send a letter to Qatar Foundation chairperson HH Sheikha Mozah Nasser al-Misnad,� Iqbal told The Foundation.
Two days later, the minister called her back and conveyed the glad news � she had been granted a scholarship to study in Qatar�s Education City.
Though initially Iqbal was not in favour of moving out of Lebanon, eventually she decided to join WCMC-Q. In February 2006, she moved to Doha with her mother, while her father stayed back to look after her two brothers.
Iqbal was determined to study medicine even before the opportunity to come to WCMC-Q arose. What lit the spark was a busy doctor, who did not give her enough time to talk about her case when she was ill once.
�That really affected me. I want to be a doctor to show patients what a real doctor is,� she said.
Though Iqbal is not yet decided as to what kind of doctor she wants to be, and contemplates a specialisation in cancer or research, she is determined to work for free for those who do not have money.
Whatever lies ahead in the future, the youngest medical student of WCMC-Q is very sure of one thing � that she is going to come back to Qatar after her residency and work for a couple of years.

�I want to give something back, though I know whatever I give is not enough, but still I want to do what I can,� she said.
Iqbal is yet to have an opportunity to thank HH Sheikha Mozah in person for her scholarship. �I would like to thank her for giving me this wonderful opportunity to study in one of the best medical schools in the world,� she added.