Only problem is jobs for expats are harder to find in HK if you dont speak Mandarin or Cantonese. But I was only looking for jobs in IT so that my not apply to other sectors in HK.
Anyone jumped to the Middle East?
- Thread starter skaif
- Start date
Only problem is jobs for expats are harder to find in HK if you dont speak Mandarin or Cantonese. But I was only looking for jobs in IT so that my not apply to other sectors in HK.
Soldato
I'm currently in Qatar with work, the expats here seem happy enough - assume you're aware of the embargo?
Yup read into that but it doesn't seem to have affected them much from what I can see/read? Also while you're there can you ask around about Awfaz Global School? Bit of a long shot but hearing mixed reviews about the place!
Taking the plunge then. Handing in notice at my current school this week and getting all the documents attested now. Will cost around £1k for both of us just in legal fees and document attestation! Was not expecting that. Hopefully pay off will be good though - booked a holiday there during half term at the end of this month to scope out the area and see whats what.
Soldato
Awesome. So is this Qatar in the end?
Yup heading to Qatar.
Just hoping the school is going to be a good un. Heard some negative things about some schools out there and the way they are managed. Hoping that it helps that I am going in at some level of seniority and won't have any issues.
Fair enough, I'd still dispute it, as you can certainly highlight some valid issues without having been there too.
I mean now we're talking about Qatar, I have been there but only very briefly.
I can still comment that it was very nearly at war not so long ago, Saudi and the UAE were rumoured to invade and were stopped at the last minute by the (now sacked) US Secretary of State. If I were to move my kids there then the risk of being invaded by two countries who, judging by Yemen, aren't exactly great at avoiding civilian casualties, is something I'd want to consider for example.
https://theintercept.com/2018/08/01/rex-tillerson-qatar-saudi-uae/
Soldato
Any updates?
Just at the stage where I'm sending off the docs to the embassy to get attested. Solicitors fees, fco fees and attestation fees all come it at around £65 per doc. I have 13 docs to send not including recorded delivery fees etc. Its getting expensive!
We are flying out during half term (next Sat) to get a feel for the place and visit the school.
Handed in my notice and got all my affairs in order here. Just need to wait out the documents I suppose.
We are flying out during half term (next Sat) to get a feel for the place and visit the school.
Handed in my notice and got all my affairs in order here. Just need to wait out the documents I suppose.
So I'm here at the moment on half term. Thought I would check out the place and let the school know I'm here. They have absolutely smashed it for me - invited me round to check them out, sent their driver to the hotel, got the tour and met the senior folk at the school.
Meeting the owner and CEO of the school on Wednesday. Got my daughters admissions up and running. Medical and bank accounts in the works as well as residents permits. They are happy to take me on 2 weeks earlier and put me up in a apartment hotel while all the stuff gets sorted in August at their own cost.
Really have made me feel so welcome and put me at ease with any questions I had. School had a pretty poor reputation and they were up front about it saying that they are going through change but the processes are in place now. Looks very evident from what I can see - new offices, new roles being made for the right people, new vision in place from the academic director.
I get the feeling that my role is going to be more senior than I thought. They have me down as Head of ICT and E-learning but they're talking about heading up the project rolling out systems for head office etc as well as overseeing their business courses as I have some experience there. I said I haven't got an issue as long as my time is accounted for.
And Qatar as a place? Absolutely stunning.
I get that these guys have built this place in a desert but damn it's impressive. The buildings, the architecture, the beaches, the weather? Starting to get excited by this prospect now!
Can you tell?
Meeting the owner and CEO of the school on Wednesday. Got my daughters admissions up and running. Medical and bank accounts in the works as well as residents permits. They are happy to take me on 2 weeks earlier and put me up in a apartment hotel while all the stuff gets sorted in August at their own cost.
Really have made me feel so welcome and put me at ease with any questions I had. School had a pretty poor reputation and they were up front about it saying that they are going through change but the processes are in place now. Looks very evident from what I can see - new offices, new roles being made for the right people, new vision in place from the academic director.
I get the feeling that my role is going to be more senior than I thought. They have me down as Head of ICT and E-learning but they're talking about heading up the project rolling out systems for head office etc as well as overseeing their business courses as I have some experience there. I said I haven't got an issue as long as my time is accounted for.
And Qatar as a place? Absolutely stunning.
I get that these guys have built this place in a desert but damn it's impressive. The buildings, the architecture, the beaches, the weather? Starting to get excited by this prospect now!
Can you tell?
No, I'd probably be stoned to death or thrown off a building based on the crime statistics from over there.
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Thanks.
For that.
Anything to back it up?
From what I gather crime rates are incredibly low compared to the UK?
Well when the state sanctions the murder of gay people as "executions" I suppose they don't really classify it as a crime. :/
Soldato
Talk about deflating someones dreams lol. Harsh.
Lol, not really bothered about people's pre-conceptions about this middle east now - I am not gay so that particular ruling doesn't matter to me.
In other news I have received my confirmation of tickets and start date. Early august I will be leaving for a few years at least!
Starting to look at rental accommodation now over there, some really nice places with pools, gyms, childrens play areas, indoor football courts etc.
Looks really nice. A bit anxious about getting a car there. As much as I consider myself a car person I don't really want to be doing maintenance on a car when its 50+ degrees out and you have limited shade.
Don't really want to finance one either as breaking finance agreements can lead to prison!
I suppose I will have to buy second hand but try and be savvy about it (get a Toyota or Honda coz they never break down right?)
Got to start selling up my bits and pieces over the next few weeks!
Soldato
Fair played mate, good luck with the move 
Hey I'm not deflating anyone's dreams. Just painting a realistic picture of the locale lol. Some people don't care about the countries laws until they are bitten by them, but more fool them. Sounds a bit like 1940's Germany to me, it's great unless you're (insert x demographic here) but that's why I don't go there. I just think it's unethical to introduce children to that environment, last thing you want is them to come out in abu dhabi lol.
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Soldato
Quoting myself for obvious reasons...
Except its not Abu Dhabi - it's now Qatar
Yeah it's fine, not going to let random peeps on the internet get me down. End of the day I'm happy to go out of my comfort zone and explore the world a little.
Planning to go explore the eastern Asian areas of the world (Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, China, Japan etc) while I am over there as they look like amazing places to go!
Obviously need to settle down there and get a place etc but genuinely looking forward to this move now. Never would have thought I would be in this position so riding the wave for now.
Soldato
Enjoy your time out there mate - my uncle moved to Dubai about a year ago to take higher paid role in the oil shipping industry. He's not overly keen on Dubai, but likes Abu Dhabi, though both places he finds expensive, even on the money he's earning. But, it means he can retire early