wow-thank you all for your comments/advice. i'm coming from england and am quite open minded (i think!). i'm no way expecting things to be like they are here. there would be no point in leaving if i just wanted more of the same. am looking forward to a challenge but i don't know a single person in doha so, i imagine the first few months will be a bit lonely. everywhere you go has good and bad about it so am gonna try to focus on the good. thank you all! tess x