Is Qatar a safe place for UK teachers to live and teach?

Written by Qatar Teach

Introduction

Qatar is an exciting place to teach,and on the whole, Qatar is a very safe place to live. Moving to a country like Qatar can be quite a scary thought and one thing that really scares us is the unknown. Now, if we multiply that by a sense of danger, this is enough to put you off. 

To help you get a better understanding of teaching in Qatar, I thought it would be best to explain how safe it is in Qatar.

What are the crime rates in Qatar?

The crime rate in Qatar is very low and this is similar to other countries in the region. In fact, it is significantly lower than the UK. I never witnessed, was a victim of, or heard of anyone being affected by crime in Qatar. 

The most common crimes against foreigners are petty theft (pickpocketing, bag snatching) and fraud, but these are rare. Violent crimes are very rare and usually unheard of. 

Are there health concerns in Qatar?

  • The heat, the sun and sand are all concerns for your health. As with any sunny climate, you should use sunscreen and cover up in the daytime.
  • Check what food is safe to eat, especially if you have allergies or dietary requirements.
  • If you have a medical condition that requires regular injections, get advice from a GP before going away to make sure you can get them during your visit.

Is the climate of Qatar dangerous?

You’ll need to be careful with your health if you’re moving to Qatar. The climate is hot and humid, so it can be dangerous for people who are not used to it. You should drink lots of water and wear protective clothing when you’re outside; avoid the midday sun as much as possible, especially between 12pm and 3pm when UV rays are strongest.

What can be done to remain safe on the roads of Qatar?

In Qatar, they drive on the opposite side of the road to us in the UK so this can make Qatar unsafe for you at first. But, over time you will soon get used to this and crossing the roads and driving on the right will become natural to you.

However, You should be aware of the risks involved in driving in Qatar and take steps to minimize them. Avoid unnecessary or rash behaviour on the road, such as speeding, tailgating, driving through red lights and running stop signs. 

It’s also important that you have all of your documents ready at any time (including a copy of your passport) so that if required by police officers or other officials who stop you for any reason they can check quickly that everything is valid and correct. You may be asked for proof of insurance if stopped by the police – having this information on hand will help speed things along if they ask for it later on down the road!

I was once fined for what I could only describe as creating a third lane. I was actually following the other traffic as they were turning right. There was a patrol person there taking down registration plates and unfortunately I was one of them. I had to go to the Ministry of Transport and pay my fine. I think it was about £90. 

I’m not sure if they still have this in place but there were issues with people going through red lights. To deal with this problem, the government introduced a £1000 fine for anyone going through a red light. Whatever you do, do not go through a red light!

Make sure you are prepared to deal with the dangers – but don’t worry too much.

This article will try to put your mind at ease, by highlighting both the dangers that expats face in Qatar and how you can manage them.

Qatar is a safe country to live in – but there are some dangers that you need to be aware of. The first thing to do is make sure you have health insurance and travel insurance, if possible combined into one policy. Some schools supply health insurance however, you may feel you want extra cover. The healthcare in Qatar is excellent and I would definitely say it’s better than the UK so don’t feel that you are putting yourself at risk teaching there. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, we hope that you have a clearer picture of what it’s like to live in Qatar and whether or not it is a good place for UK teachers to live. It is certainly a beautiful country with friendly people and an exciting culture, but there are also dangers and risks that you should be aware of. It is important to remember that the most important thing when considering teaching in Qatar is making sure that you are prepared for these challenges so that they do not get in the way of enjoying your new home!

Read More Articles:

What is it like to be an expat teacher in Qatar?

Are Qatar schools different to UK schools?

Ready to Apply Online?

  • Complete your 1 page cover letter. 
  • Fill in the Simple CV which you can access below. 
  • Attach your cover letter to your Simple CV.
Want to stay updated?

Click on the link below to keep yourself updated on what's going on. You will also be able to download the Free Decision Making Guide. 

>
Success message!
Warning message!
Error message!