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Monthly expenses estimation while doing Masters at University of Cape Town

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Cape Town

I am going for my Masters education in Cape Town University... PLease tell me what would be the estimate for monthly expenses if I live in most economical fashion? And what are the job prospects for public health practitioners there???

Cost of Living Comparision - Doha vs Riyadh

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Qatar

Hi, I have 2 job offers at the moment, one in Doha and the other in Riyadh, the salaries are roughly the same with Saudi paying about 3k riyals higher. I have Saudi is very strict with rules for Women and they cannot work or drive there. I might choose to opt for qatar (Doha). What the current prevailing rent rates in Doha for a one bedroom hall kitchen and cos of living compared to Dubai or Saudi. The salary being offerred is 16k and we are a couple. Wife would surely work but that would be at a later date. Thanks and looking forward to your reply as I have a couple of days to respond.

Should I learn Egyptian Arabic or Eastern Arabic to speak fluently in Qatar?

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Qatar
I am already living in Doha, Qatar and want to learn Arabic. The course I am about to take is either Egyptian Arabic or Eastern Arabic and I don't know which one would be best to learn seeing as we live here and will be for some years to come! I hope a kind Qatari will answer my query or someone who really knows which one to choose? please? Many thanks for your help. Kind regards, Helen (an Aussie who loves Doha!)

Moving household goods to Zambia from U.K

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Zambia
Hi, I plan to move to Zambia next year. I have heard there is import tax even on used goods. I would just like to know other expats experiences. Did you have to pay tax on your used household goods when shipped to Zambia? Would it be better to buy everything anew, is the quality good? Thanks :)

Do I have to open a Taiwan bank account?

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Taiwan
I read on a Taiwan tourism website that I can draw money straight out of my account at home and some ATMs will even show my bank balance in my home country's currency (which in my case is South Africa). I'm not sure I believe this - I have a friend in Taiwan who is teaching English and she said she had to open a Taiwanese bank account. Who is right?

Moving to Stockholm...is my salary enough?

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Sweden
I'm thinking of taking up a teaching contract at a university in Stockholm but I've heard the cost of living in Sweden is very high, and I'm not sure my salary will cover everything. I've got two kids who will need to go to a good school, which is an additional worry....Anyone got any insights?

Regarding a Visa for Bahrain

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Bahrain
I dont know where to start but i'll give you a brief description . Mother and her 2 sons are in bahrain . visa expired since 2005. due to the husbands death in India couldn't resolve the visa matter. Mother is housewife. Sons were born in bahrain. they have applied for bahraini nationality. one son is 24 and other is 20 . all were educated at the ISB Now the solution looking for is . Is there a way they can legalize their stay in bahrain. is there any way they can be sponsored all three by a family visa .

St Johns College in Johannesburg - is it worth the high fees?

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Johannesburg
St Johns college seems to cost as much as the American International School does - almost 130,000 a year for the senior grades! I have to ask - is it worth it? What's the school like? Since the kids are getting the same SA school leaving certificate as anyone else, is it really worth paying five times as much as a decent public school?

British International College in Johannesburg

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Johannesburg
Does anyone have kids or have friends with kids at the British International College in Johannesburg? What is the standard of teaching there? Does it compare well with schools in the UK? What are their IGSCE and A-Level results like by UK national standards? What are the teachers and class sizes like?

Any comments and insights welcome.

Moving to Dubai as a woman on my own - need advice

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Dubai
I'm going to be moving to Dubai in October, but I'm still a bit nervous about going on my own, especially as a woman. Are women's rights quite restricted? Do I need to dress conservatively, and wear an abaya? I want to enjoy my time there and not be confined to my apartment, can I go out alone and am I able to drive a car?

Is this a good job offer in Ghana?

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Ghana
Hello I am expat from india getting usd 2500 in ghana have. I have a small family - me, wife and small kid of 2 yr old. Is it good to accept this opportunity, what is social life like? And my family is purely vegetrian, is Ghana is safe for small family, or how much minimum expense fo I need to settle over there?

Good estate agents in Hong Kong for renting?

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Hong Kong
Hi, I'm moving to HK at the end of August but coming out end of July to do a reccy for a couple of days. Can anyone recommend a good, reliable estate agent so I can arrange some viewings before I move permanently? I'm looking to rent somewhere affordable but commutable to Central Harbour and in an expat area (Midlevels has been recommended. Cheers.

Time period for Abu Dhabi work visa approval

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Abu Dhabi
HI.I am a South African that has been accepted for a Aviation position in Abu Dhabi.I have firstly waited for six weeks to get management approval for the position and have now been told it has been submitted to the department of labour.Could you tell me how long does it take for this approval,or is there a way of tracking the approval process. I would also like to know if the villa complex of Al Reef is recommended for a family with 3 young children

Going to Jeddah: do I need to cover up as soon as I leave the airport?

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Jeddah
We will be visiting Jeddah for a few days in a couple of weeks because my husband has been offered a job there and before accepting, we want to see what it is like. Now I have read a lot about Jeddah on this forum as well as on others, but what I would like to know if i should start wearing an abaya the minute I leave the plane? Or can I wait till we leave our hotel for example or, if I dress conservatively, can I refrain from wearing the abaya for the few days we will be there? I do not wish to offend. Any advice or experiences?

Job offer & expenses in Abu Dhabi

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Abu Dhabi
Hi my husband has an offer to move to AD and would love to know whether it is an offer we should accept given our circumstances. We are a family of 3 (1 very young baby)& only he will be working: Salary is USD 18.000 per month Most of the normal benefits. Is buying a nearly new second hand car a good idea? Is the salary package being offered sufficient? What should our average monthly utility expenses be? Average grocery bills? We both like to play golf and go to the gym.

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