what do you wish you had known?
I have accepted a job offer in Doha and will be moving there at the end of August. I'd love to hear tips/advice... for example, what do you wish you'd known before you moved to Doha? What do you wish you had brought with you? What do you NOT need to bring? And I have a specific question about pharmacies and if I bring my prescriptions, will they for sure be able to be filled? How might I find this out ahead of time?
Be ready to accommodate all cultures and behaviors here.Also be ready to loose your personal freedom as you know it for the sake of community good.
Mandi,
thanks very much! Might you be willing to ask in the most well-stocked pharmacy for me? If so, maybe we can share emails and talk directly.
that's too bad that my bed sheets (either full or queen) won't work over there. seems easier for settling in with so many other things to take of, to just have my sheets with me and not have to go out and buy a lot of stuff, especially because I'd have to hassle with renting a car and learning my way around, in order to go buy basics like that, and I'll be jumping straight into my new job.
maybe I should try to make my sheets work!
Bring teaspoon, tablespoon and cup measures. I still can't cook in metric.
Mandi
Oh, and keep your US ATM and credit cards. They are much safer than opening a local account. Bring a Kindle or Kindle for iPad. Bring an international drivers' license. Make sure your documents are certified/attested and bring a police clearance from your home county. Buy a cheap phone in Doha and a Hala (pay as you go) card. Open an Aramex account in Doha. Your meds can be shipped to you. Sign up for Skype.
Mandi
No, the bedsheets are not standard "queen", "king", etc. You must measure in centimeters! I bought a set of 500 count sheets at the Home Store and another set at Frette in Doha after carefully measuring. I also like Zara Home for linens. And you can get good towels here, too. I'm afraid the pharmacies here stock only about 10% of the meds that the US sells. You may need to ask someone to go to a pharmacy and inquire about your meds. I find clothes very expensive in Doha and shoes difficult to find.
Mandi
Hi, I wonder if there's a place I could private message you? Let me know! Thanks!
What are the names of the medicine?
Thanks about the info on bedsheets. Are bed sizes over there the same standards as in the US (ie: "full", "queen" etc.?) I am being given housing so I'll have find out what size the bed is. I wonder, based on what you've said about sheets, if I should also bring my bath towels.
Thanks PrincessSarah, but I cannot bring a year's worth. There's something I need that in the US I can only get 3 months of at a time. I will need to find out if I can get it in Doha.... but how?
I wish I had known about the restrictions imposed by the sponsorship system. Nothing was disclosed to me before I arrived including the need to have an exit permit to leave the country. Also be aware that whilst you may have a 2 year contract, it can be terminated by your company at any time with just a months notice and no compensation or reason is required.
But if you're coming for the money and keep that in the forefront of your mind you'll be OK.
There are medicines that are not available here so better bring the important stuff.
Bring bed sheets. The only ones available are cheap fabric and garish colors. You can also go to a boutique and pay through the nose for something that would be at K-mart back in the U.S.