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Traveling to Qatar

As soon as you have accepted a VCU Qatar offer of employment please secure a passport. Be aware that this requires a birth certificate and can take up to 6 weeks to process. You will need to scan the photo pages and email them to akumar@qatar.vcu.edu We will use this to obtain a visa for you.

If you cannot email a scan, you may send Ryan Ellington by mail -- not fax -- or alternatively drop off in the Dean's office, Pollak 201, a Xerox of the first two pages of your passport (set the light/dark copy control to lighter so passport picture will be very clear). He will Fedex the copy to VCU Qatar. You can also deliver your passport to him so that he can email a scanned copy to us.

It is also a wise decision to leave copies of all important papers with a family member or close friend including:

If you have any US based bills, it is advisable to maintain a US bank account and set up on-line banking for convenient bill paying. Wire transfers from a Qatar bank are not inexpensive.

Not all RX drugs are available in Doha.If you want to let us know what you take, we will check on availability of brand name and substitutions. Or, you may seek permission from your insurance company to purchase a one year supply. Some medications are cheaper in Doha than the US co-pay. You may also have them shipped from the US but we advise use of a tracer incase the parcel gets held up in Customs.

 

What to Bring

The accommodations are furnished including one set of sheets and towels, dishes and cookware. If you are very particular about these items, bring your own or plan on buying them here although there is no Williams Sonoma in Doha. Bed sizes may be different here. Shipping is cheaper than excess airplane baggage, but much slower. It can take up to two months and is subject to search. Illegal items will be confiscated. Do insure the shipment and make careful note of the tracking numbers as well as a detailed list of contents.

Bring your favorite items to make it feel like home:

VCU Qatar will reimburse up to $700 for books and teaching materials (faculty member only) upon presentation of receipts. Art supplies are rather limited in Doha. Ask in advance if we have or can get any special items.

Clothing: There are many formal and semi-formal events so dress clothes (gowns, suit) are needed. Regular clothing should be conservative and not revealing. It is important to be respectful of the Islamic culture of our host country when selecting clothing, particularly for women. Shorts and sleeveless tops are only suitable for wear around the housing compounds, at the beach or poolside, or while exercising. Modest dress is appropriate for the souqs and large outdoor markets. Willingness to adopt conservative clothing is an excellent way to demonstrate your respect for the Islamic culture and will open opportunities for more meaningful interactions with local people. It is advised for women to cover knees, elbows and collar bones. Pants/trousers are acceptable for women and many people have clothing made here.

Qatar’s weather will be extremely hot in Sept, and start to cool down in Oct. and by Dec. can be cooler, with many very windy days in the early spring. Shorts and tank tops are rarely worn by men, and not acceptable for women, except at the beach and for sports activities.

Warm clothing: Qatar has good connections to other parts of the world and many faculty travel to cold climates during breaks and need winter coats, sweaters, socks and footwear. These can also be purchased in Qatar.

Sports equipment including swim, scuba, snorkel, tennis and golf, also available to rent or purchase in Doha. Bicycles are not recommended.

Videos, DVDs, cassettes and CDs. You will need to purchase a system here due to the differences in voltage and plugs. One TV is provided.

If you are a frequent snail mail user, bring stationery and note cards.

 

What NOT to bring

It is doubtful that your mobile phone will work here, so it, along with small electronics should stay in the US. Adapters may work with/ hairdryers, but are just as likely to burn out.

Goods and Services

Despite having several modern shopping centers, Doha is not a shopping capital for clothing, books, art supplies, art, and furniture. Yet you will find that electronics, inexpensive fabrics, perfumes, and cosmetics are plentiful. Many USA and British brands of cereal, peanut butter, cookies, and chips are on the supermarket shelves. Starbuck’s, MacDonalds, Pizza Hut, Chili’s, TCBY and other fast foods chains are common. Specialty shops for fresh vegetables, fruits, sweets, baked goods, candy, coffee, juice, fish, chicken and meat are abundant. You can find most items and services that you need, but if you have special needs, you will want to ask VCU Qatar in advance if items important to you are available here. Shipping from the US can be expensive.

 

Religion

Islam is the state religion in Qatar, but there are several other religions present including Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikh, Bahai and Christianity. There are several Christian churches here of different denominations. Faculty can assist those interested in locating them.

 

Getting here

We need to know your home or ‘airport of record’, so we can order plane tickets. The report date in Doha for fall 2004 is August 22nd. This is two weeks before classes begin. Most routes go through London or Amsterdam. You are welcome to hop out in Europe, although all expenses incurred there are your own. Your plane ticket and visa will be sent to you via DHL, so we need an accurate street mailing address. DHL will not deliver to a PO box.

 

Upon arrival

Someone from VCU Qatar will meet you at the airport. Once you clear Immigration and baggage claim, a VCU Qatar member will be waiting with a sign with your name on it. You will be taken to your accommodation and probably go right to sleep. There will be enough food in the fridge to last until we organize a grocery store trip.

 

Accommodation

Single and married faculty are assigned a two bedroom apartment that is furnished, though you will want extra sheets and towels. These are better bought here as the bed sizes are different from those in the US. Families are assigned larger apartments based on family size.

 

Transportation

VCU Qatar will aid in transportation until residency is established. After that most faculty lease cars. Several have purchased vehicles, but this is a personal decision.

 

Orientation

You will be paired with returning faculty members the first week to help you find your way. The mornings of the first week will be used to begin the residency process. This includes:

We will also assist with:

Salary

Upon arrival, new faculty are advanced 2000 QR ($548 USD). That amount is then deducted from Sept and October checks at a rate of 1000 QR per month. The exchange rate is 1$ = 3.65 qatar riyal.

Your annual salary is divided into 12 or 24 equal payments. It is direct deposit on the last working day of the month in Doha, and on the 1st and 16th in the US. Your salary can be paid 100% in the US (24 payments), 100% in a Qatar Bank (12 payments) or a 70/30% split in both places.

The April check will include the amount for a round trip ticket if you are renewing for an additional year.

The May check will include all of May, June, July and 1/2 of August salaries.

***Please note that in order to qualify for the tax break allowed expatriates (according to current IRS regulations the first $80,000 is tax free), you must remain out of the US for 330 days out of the first year. Refer to www.irs.gov for information on income exemptions; Publication 54 has good information. It is advisable to hire an accountant experienced in working with expats.

 

VCU Qatar organization

VCU Qatar has a Dean, Associate Dean for Academics, Associate Dean for Administration, Assistant Dean for Students and Directors for IT, Library, and Marketing. There are also Area Coordinators for Art Foundation, Graphic Design and Interior Design.

VCU Qatar holds to the same rules and regulations, policies and procedures as main campus. These are web accessible at www.vcu.edu

 

Teaching

Faculty share offices with others in their area. Each person has a computer and share a printer. Studio classes are seldom larger than 12 students to a section.

Every class has a binder with syllabi from the prior three semesters for reference. Faculty members are responsible for inserting their course information each semester.

In addition to classes, faculty serve on committees and are expected to be active in VCU Qatar activities.

The library is well equipped with reference and circulating books, magazines and periodicals, VCR tapes and DVDs. Standard teaching aids available include digital and slide projectors, TV with VCR, white boards and presentation boards. You will receive teaching and office supplies which can be renewed throughout the year. Art supplies needed for class preparation and demonstration will be supplied. Contact VCU Qatar with any special requests for supplies or books.

Classes are scheduled from 8 am-5:15 pm, Sunday –Thursday. Fall semester runs for 16 weeks + one week of exams because classes are shortened during the 4 weeks of Ramadan. Spring semester is 15 weeks + one week of exams.

Faculty attend VCU Qatar sponsored events such as the Gallery openings, extracurricular student activities, and presentation by visiting artists.

Breaks

There is a two-week break at Eid Al Fitr which includes the last week of Ramadan. This observance moves back by 10 days every year.

VCU Qatar closes Christmas Day only.

There are also breaks for Eid Al Adha and semester break

There is a one-week Spring break half way through spring semester.

These are all excellent times to travel either to Europe or around this part of the world. Plan your travel in advance. Bring travel guides with you since they are not always available in Doha and the shipping costs to order them from the USA are often more than the cost of the books. Travel agents in Doha will help with arrangements, and faculty are willing to share their experiences and recommendations.

Plans for summer travel should also be made early as flights out of Doha in June fill early and are difficult to book. Consider a schedule that allows you to remain out of the USA for 330 days during 12 consecutive months to qualify for the IRS status: Physical Presence, for your first year abroad.

 

Dependants

VCU Qatar will provide airfare for dependants and/or spouses who are coming as residents. Further, tuition equivalent to the fees charged by Qatar Academy (an IB curriculum) is paid for each K-12 dependant (up to four).

 

Animals

Animals are not encouraged in Qatar. Vet care is limited and there are only a few acceptable kennels. If you have any options, you would be wise to leave the pets at home.

 

Helpful Hints

Direct any questions about the above to about living and teaching in Qatar to avanstone@vcu.edu We can direct you to faculty of specific programs, interests, gender, married status, or age groups, or to help you with any questions.