Living in Bahrain

ashyh

HI

I have just been offered a great job in Bahrain but I am a single 20 something female. what is it like to actually live there? Is there a social life, is the plave very small or is there enough to do to keep you entertained? what is the standard of living like?
Any advice is greatly appreciated

Thanks

Tom Dunne

I can probably guess where you got a job. It isn't a school by any chance is it?

Myself and my wife are in Bahrain just over 2.5 years and enjoying it. The troubles last year did take the shine off the country, there is still some residual thuggery (not civil unrest as some media outlets would have you believe). As a Westerner, you are totally safe and for the most part, oblivious to any trouble. I would not let that stop you from coming over.

However, as a single female, things would be a little different for you. The social scene here is quite different to back home, you would really need to make friends as soon as possible. There are plenty of bars and restaurants, drink is freely available, unlike a lot of Middle East. The lifestyle is quite good, there is a very strong service industry here.

As a female, you won't have to wear an abaya or anything, the country is relatively liberal. And of course you will have no problem getting a driving license.

The way I describe Bahrain is to take every stereotype, prejudice and fear you have about the Middle East and throw them out. It is a great country to live in, there are some challenges to living here, but nothing you cannot overcome.

If you need any more info, or if you want to chat over Skype, let me know.

ashyh

Thanks Tom,

My job is actually in Finance so i am wondering if that would be a bit isolating as i am aware a lot of the expats are over there teaching. And i am a bit worried there wouldn't be a lot of single people my age over there that i would be surrounded by families all the time.

Thanks for your advice maybe a just need to give it a shot and go in with an open mind! I have heard a lot of good things about the place.

Lucy Lu

Finance is a major industry in Bahrain and a lot of ex-pats work in that area. If you take the job, hopefully within a short time you will make a lot of friends. I am here a few years and my friends work in many different areas and are form all around the world As it is a small country it can be very easy to make friends but it does involves being willing to.

If you have any specific questions, ask away

steppingstones

Hi just wondering how safe it is for families in Bahrain,have seen the demonstrations on TV, are they still ongoing on a smaller scale? We are a family with 3 children and are currently looking at relocating for approx. 2-3 years due to work. Do you have any knowledge of family life here and how much freedom can young children experience in comparison to home?
Do you have knowledge of schools here and sporting activities for the family?
Thanks

Tom Dunne

It's very safe.

There are the occasional protests, but as I have said earlier, they are more down to thuggery than any proper political agenda. On occasion, things can become more tense with the larger crowd, but remember that their gripe is not with Westerners, it is with the ruling family.

I have never once felt unsafe here.

As for the kids, I believe the school facilities here are utterly fantastic. There are plenty of sports played at the Rugby club, including gaelic football (male and female) and of course rugby. Most families tend to stay in the area around the rugby club, so it acts as a type of social hub. I can put you in contact with plenty of Irish families here, if you are interested.

tatabubbly

hey guys just wondering what its like to find a job over there in Bahrain? My partner is already working over there and I am going to go and visit in september and see what its like.

Tom Dunne

tatabubbly wrote: »

hey guys just wondering what its like to find a job over there in Bahrain? My partner is already working over there and I am going to go and visit in september and see what its like.

It can be difficult, depending on the type of job you are looking for. Remember, in this part of the world, they have an army of poorly paid Asian immigrants who snatch up all the low- to mid-range jobs.

So, what type of job are you looking for?

tatabubbly

Well I am a science graduate but looking online it seems that its defo out of the question!

I work in quite an administrative role atm in ireland and would be looking for something similar... I guess I'd like something to get me out of the house everyday. My partner will be really well paid so i don't really need to work but I don't want to be a bored housewife either!

Oh we've no kids or responsibilities, just the two of us!

Tom Dunne

Assuming you are a native English speaker, you should have little trouble picking up a job as a teaching assistant or possibly reading coach in a school.

The money is utterly abysmal (you would earn less than the dole in Ireland), but if you are looking for a fulfilling job (the kids are wonderful), this could be an option.

tatabubbly

Yup! Is the jobs there that badly paid? Crap crap crap!

Tom Dunne

Teaching assistants in the bigger schools would be paid the equivalent of 900 Euro, but they have a large number of applicants for these posts.

tatabubbly

I'm hoping not to work in a school actually.. I've looked into a few recruiters over there.. My OH will be doing quite well at work but I'd like something to keep me going.. Is it exclusively just teaching work expats get? I might do a teaching qualification to become a senior school teacher if I go down thay road

Tom Dunne

tatabubbly wrote: »

Is it exclusively just teaching work expats get?

No.

There are three typical categories:

1: Highly specialised jobs where they need Westerners with specific experience

2: Oil industry

3: Teaching/Education

All other jobs (bars/restaurant/shop/admin/etc.) are typically done by Asian immigrants.

tatabubbly

Ah I see.. Perfect, mainly I'm a scientist so hopefully I'll be able to get a job in a QC lab in that case..

Tom Dunne

tatabubbly wrote: »

Ah I see.. Perfect, mainly I'm a scientist so hopefully I'll be able to get a job in a QC lab in that case..

No, you won't.

One of the Irish lads I work with, his girlfriend came out under the same pretenses (BSc and MSc in a science related field, in fact if memory serves me correctly, she had two Masters) and landed a job in a lab - at around 800 Euro a month. Both of them are now back in Ireland.

Again, remember that there are large numbers of Asian immigrants, especially from India, with degrees out their ears willing to work for that amount.

tatabubbly

Thanks.. Thats really disheartening.. It was my only hope really.. Thanks, guess I'm just going to have to rethink moving. I've no idea what to do now..

My OH is over there, and he is earning good money so in your eyes, if I went over there I wouldn't get work? Its either stay here in a crap-ish job and break off a 5 year relationship or go over there and do nothing all day..

Tom Dunne

tatabubbly wrote: »

Thanks.. Thats really disheartening.. It was my only hope really.. Thanks, guess I'm just going to have to rethink moving. I've no idea what to do now..

My OH is over there, and he is earning good money so in your eyes, if I went over there I wouldn't get work? Its either stay here in a crap-ish job and break off a 5 year relationship or go over there and do nothing all day..

I'm not saying you wouldn't get work, I'm saying you cannot afford to be selective. Something may turn up, it really is a case of who you know.

If you want my honest opinion, get on a plane and go. Don't jeopardise a 5 year relationship for something like this. When my wife came out here initially, she had nothing lined up yet managed to fill her days.

tatabubbly

I'm not going to try to be picky, I'd love a job in science but I'll take whatever to get over to my OH...

I was going to do a celta course to teach english for a while.. Sorry.. Its just when you said therr wasnt a lot of jobs I paniced a little! Thanks for the advice though