Frommes on a Journey: Qatar

Showing posts with label Qatar. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Getting Fingerprints for FBI Background Check While in Qatar

If you're living in Qatar, you've already gone through the process of getting your fingerprints taken in order to get your QID. So, you should be somewhat familiar with the process. But, I'll walk you step-by-step how I obtained my fingerprints for an FBI background check while living in Qatar.

I am a US citizen, living in Qatar, seeking employment in a country that requires me to have an apostilled FBI background check. I'll write more about the Apostille process in another post, but I'll share with you now how I obtained my fingerprints. I decided to use Accurate Biometrics (https://accuratebiometrics.com/), an FBI-approved Channeler. I've used them in the past, and I highly recommend them; however, there are other companies you can use. The first thing you will need to do is go to the website and follow the instructions (https://accuratebiometrics.com/international/services).

Follow the link: FBI Fingerprinting Processing By Mail

Then, you will need to click on Download FBI DO Fingerprint Forms Packet. Follow the instructions to fill out the forms.

Once you have them all filled out, it's time to get your prints taken. You will need to go to the Police Clearance Certificate (CEID) Office. When you get dropped off, make sure you go to the correct building. My Uber driver dropped me off at the wrong building, but it took less than five to walk to the correct place. It wasn't bad since it was December, but I would not recommend that walk on scorching, summer day.

Go to building #2, not building #1.

The office opens at 6 am Sunday-Thursday. I don't know what time they close, but if it's like any other government office, it will close early. I recommend getting there right when they open. After my mix-up, I got there around 6:15 am, and there was no line. The process is the same for both males and females, I assume, but I'm female, so I'll share my personal experience.

There is a female entrance that was locked, so I went in the main doors. After showing my Ehteraz app and getting my temperature taken, I was told to go to the female fingerprinting room. Once they realized I needed my prints physically rolled and not just done electronically, I was escorted into the hallway where a woman rolled my prints. With Accurate Biometrics, I needed to have two sets done. I was then told to go to the male waiting area to pay for my stamp and get the stamp. Don't forget your stamp. Also, since I had two pages, I needed to buy two stamps. Stamps are QAR 10 each, and I paid with my credit card. I don't know if they accept cash. Once the stamp was paid for, I took the receipt into another room to get my stamp. And, that's it!

The whole process took me about 75 minutes, and that's including me going to the wrong building and walking to the right one. I think the key is to go when you don't have anything else planned for several hours. You never know how long it will take.

The next step of the process is to send off your paperwork.

Sunday, June 21, 2020

Apartment with a View in Doha, Qatar

This has become almost an annual event - posting a video of our new apartment. Last year was the first year in ten years that we didn't move. This year, the contract our school had with the apartment building expired. So, company housing moved - further away from school, but in a much better location. We love our apartment so much.

Model of our apartment building

Instead of me writing about it, I will just let you watch the video for yourself. Let us know what you think.

Here are pictures of the view from our apartment:

Taking a walk in our neighborhood:

Sunday, March 22, 2020

COVID-19 in Qatar

I really had no intention to write about my experience with COVID-19. I mean, the whole world is going through this. Why would anyone care about my perspective? However, several people have made a comment about looking forward to reading my blog post about it. The more I thought about it, I figured I should go ahead and write about it. One, it will be fun (or not) to re-read what I wrote in one, five, ten years from now. Two, most people who are going to read this probably don't know (many) people living in other countries, and it might be beneficial to hear from someone they know about how this pandemic is affecting people all over the world. I will break this up into sections: personal and professional.

Personal
Thanks to social media, I am acutely aware of all the happenings of home. Just like at home (Jasper, Indiana), things in Doha are changing day-by-day. Within about a one week span, pretty much everything closed. As of the date I am writing this, March 22nd, just about the only things left open are banks, pharmacies, grocery stores, and restaurants for take-out or delivery. However, the one major difference I am seeing between Doha and home is the lack of mass-chaos and hoarding here. Grocery shopping is never a fun event for me. It's usually always busy, and I get cart rage very easily. However, people here are not being extra crazy at the stores. I went shopping on March 19th, and this is what the shelves looked like.

We have stocked up on food and all other essentials, so I'm feeling pretty good about things. We are self-isolating as much as possible. It's a little hard to do, though, when all of your friends live in the same apartment building as you.

Professional
Just as a reminder, our work week runs Sunday to Thursday. On Monday the 9th, the government announced, at the end of 6th period (we have an 8-period day) that schools were closed indefinitely. We had been anticipating that something like that would happen, but not during the day. It was chaos for the last two periods of school. We had two days to prepare our lessons for online learning, and our first day of distance education started on Thursday the 12th. All last week, teachers had to go to school. We are doing a modified block schedule, and we are required to Zoom in with students for every class. Today was the first day that we were allowed to work from home. Full dress code for teachers is enforced.

Zooming with my students.

We, obviously, don't know if/when we are going to return to school. Our spring break was scheduled for April 3-18. Thank goodness Zach and I didn't plan on going anywhere for break! And, Ramadan is supposed to start on April 24th. We have a shorter school day during Ramadan. There is speculation that we probably won't go back until after Ramadan (middle of May), but it's purely speculation. For us, the school year ends on June 25th. Our plan has been to go home for summer, but we will have to see what happens before we make any definite plans.

Professional - Teaching
I have to say, I am definitely coming from a place of privilege. I have joined some teacher groups on Facebook, and I am shocked at some of the things teachers back home have to deal with. All of our students in grades 6-12 are required to have a device. We are a 1:1 school. I am very confident in saying that all of our students have internet at home. As a school, we already use Google Classroom on a daily basis. It's been shocking, to me, to see that teachers are struggling with the technology side of distance learning. Believe me, I realize that they are struggling because it is not something they deal with on a regular basis. Not to brag (but I'm pretty proud to say), but I am also a Google Certified Educator. So, I feel extremely fortunate to be where I am during this extremely weird time.

Anyway, that's my update. I know it's not much different than anyone else. But, that's the point. Even though I'm in a different country, I am experiencing similar things to people back home. We are all in this together. Stay safe, everyone!

Saturday, December 29, 2018

Glamping: Beach on the Arabian Gulf

Way back in the beginning of October, a group of us went glamping (glamorous camping). Instead of writing much about it, I will just share photos and videos. It was a great time with great friends, and I definitely plan on going back!

Friday, December 28, 2018

Brunch: The All-You-Can-Eat and Drink Madness

Ah, winter break! I thought this would be a fantastic time to go back and update all of you on our time in Doha. Little did I realize that would be a tall order! I haven't blogged since September, and it's the only post about our time in Qatar. So, what better way to introduce you to Qatar than talk about brunch?!

I bet you're thinking, "Brunch. Big deal." Well, that's exactly what it is - a big deal! However, when I first heard about it, I thought the exact same thing as you, especially after I heard the price! Let me explain. There is one store in the entire country - ONE STORE - that sells alcohol and pork. There are hotels and bars where you can get alcohol, but that one store (the QDC) is the only place to buy for personal consumption. When you go out to a hotel/bar, you will spend about 50 Qr on a beer (~$14). Happy Hour is about 35 Qr (~$10).

So, back to brunch. Brunch is an all-you-can-eat and drink (alcohol) affair which will cost about 300-500 Qr (~$80-$140) per person. Now, I know brunch is not specific to Doha, but it's the first time I've ever heard of it, and I was blown away by the cost. However, if you break it down, it's actually a pretty great deal. Brunches usually last 3.5-4 hours. Again, it's all-you-can-eat and drink. If you have two drinks per hour, you've already gotten your money out of it. (But who just sticks to two drinks per hour when it's a never-ending flow??!) Most brunches are on Fridays from 12pm-4pm.

I've been to two brunches, but they've both been at the same hotel, so I can only vouch for the one, but it was really good! Here are some pictures of our brunch days!