Hi Kimbr,

Nothing to worry about or be anxious about. Your school will sort all your residency permit, medical etc out for you so you shouldn't have any issues there.

As really said above, public transport is a bit of a no no. Rent a car as soon as you can, i.e in the first week. It will be mega hot here (as it is now) in August.

In terms of dressing in public, dress conservatively would be the advice. Don't get me wrong on a night out women wear what they probably would back home but day to day and when out shopping dress to cover up. Same on The Pearl, it's very western there too. No need for headscarf or anything.

You'll find when you're out in the mall probably get attention from the 'batchelors' so you might want to avoid Friday's when they have their day off in there. We all hint at it on here but lets face it... They are pests. My wife had to die her hair when she came here as all she did was get stared at all a bit sad really.

Feel free to ask anything else but otherwise, welcome to Doha, enjoy your time here. Come late Sept - early Oct the weather gets better (cooler) and it's a great place to be.