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Post by vpainter on Sept 15, 2013 6:18:36 GMT
Mosque in Abqaiq
by Glaswegian » Fri Sep 13, 2013 3:20 pm
Folks,
I have now accepted my offer from Aramco and now going into BI and medical phase. I have 3 young kids and I have few questions:
1) Are there any mosques in Abqaiq?
2) Is there an after school class for kids for learning about Islam/?
3) Can a person's spouse find a job in Abqiaq as a Gynacologist? How hard it is to get a job as a medical doctor there?
4) Can you easily find a nany/house cleaner in Abqaiq?
5) If you buy your own car do you lose the travel allowance? ( I am working between Abqaiq & DH)
Thanks
Glaswegian
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Re: Mosque in Abqaiq
by UmmRiyam » Fri Sep 13, 2013 10:26 pm
You may want to repost your question in the Abqaiq section of the forum under 'Living in Saudi Aramco Residential Communities'
I don't live in Abqaiq, but I'm pretty sure there's a mosque inside the Aramco compound in Abqaiq. It might not be in the +11 family camp section though. Additionally, you will find many small masjids in Abqaiq city.
You can hire a houseboy easily to do cleaning. If you need a nanny, I would recommend finding someone in the compound who can babysit, or you can sponsor a housemaid/nanny. There is no Aramco run daycare.
Owning a car has nothing to do with the transportation/commuting allowance. You will still get it because you will live in ABQ and work in DHA.
UmmRiyam
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Re: Mosque in Abqaiq
by endriu » Sat Sep 14, 2013 3:49 pm
Congratulations Glaswegian. I also did the interview in London this week but still waiting for a response. You were informed immediately after the interview that they would have done an offer ?
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Post by Glaswegian on Sept 16, 2013 9:19:42 GMT
Thanks UmmRiyam,
My contract says I will be GC13 so does that mean that in our compound area there would be no mosque? I had to travel 4 miles in total for each prayer here in Glasgow so i hope its not like glasgow.
Regards
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Post by GroveWanderer on Sept 17, 2013 7:07:03 GMT
According to Wikimapia, the mosque in Abqaiq is inside the family camp. It's towards the north-east corner and as far as I can tell (again based on Wikimapia) the furthest you could live from it would be approx 1 km, if you lived in the extreme south-west corner of the compound.
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Post by Glaswegian on Sept 17, 2013 14:02:41 GMT
Thanks very much GroveWanderer
I am going through the BI & Medical phase just now and expected to be in Abqaiq around Nov/Dec in sha .
I have read that project's engineers usually get an Aramco vehicle. How do i find out if this is a definite?
Are there any after school activities for kids in the compound e.g. football clubs, swimming, cycling etc, What is the curriculum for the Aramco school in Abqaiq? Any languages (arabic) taught? Is the school, markets and GP etc are at a walking distance or do you always need a car for that?
Thanks
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Post by vpainter on Sept 17, 2013 19:13:39 GMT
Under this discussion group, you can look for the list of self directed groups/activities that are in ABQ for adults and children.
All Aramco schools are an American curriculum.
Languages in school are Arabic, Spanish, French.
Many in ABQ drive their golf carts around camp. Walking is possible, but when it is hot, it is definitely not pleasant. There are circuit buses around camp.
I sent you an email.
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Post by newuser on Sept 21, 2013 2:11:43 GMT
o,
We have gone thru the first step of the interview and they are in the process of offering a job offer to my husband. We do not know where we will be asked to go(which place)..
In the meantime I wanted to get some additional information.We are coming from US
1) How does the taxes work for people coming from US?
2) What about the health Insurance? do we have to pay? and if so what percentage or a fixed amount?
3) How are the schools? I have heard that they are on par with US Schools. But I wanted to know a little more in details about the what kind of curriculum do they teach ? Is it posted anywhere? Secondly is there any entrance test for the kids to enter the appropriate grades at Aramco?
Thirdly is there any STAR testing or any other form of testing done at the end of the year as is being done in US Schools?
4) Regarding the physicians. ? Are there any specialists available ? What kind of specialists are available? Is there a list posted somewhere?
5) Are there any extra curricular classes for the kids after school or at school. Is this something like compeion based?
My kids are aged 8 and 11yrs
If anyone could either answer me to the above questions/guide me , I will be very much appreciated. I have few more but these are the main ones.
Thanks everyone for your time..
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Post by vpainter on Sept 23, 2013 5:44:09 GMT
Please note most all your questions have been discussed and answered on the forum. The search function will assist you in finding these topics.
The schools use the Iowa test for basic skills. They do not use the Star test. Anyone from last year know if there have been any changes to which test the schools use?
Your salary will be taxed at the percentage level if all income is considered. But 95K will be deducted and not taxed. Foreign income credit.
You will pay a set monthly fee for health insurance that is good all over the world. There is free medical care while in KSA at the ARAMCO medical facilities.
The ARAMCO schools are in the 90th percentiles when compared to US private and public schools. They are in the 60th percentiles when compared to only U.S. private schools. ARAMCO schools teach an American curriculum.
Some students are given exams prior to placement, but ARAMCO schools mostly go by age.
Everyone chooses a family physician and a pediatrician for their children. Then those doctors refer to the specialists. ARAMCO has many specialists on staff and if not the particular specialist you need, they refer you to one. Is there a particular specialist you need and are wondering about?
There are a many of elective classes in school and sports. There are extra curricular clubs and groups who meet during lunch time and after school. Then there are the non school related activities for the kids also. Like swim team, tennis, soccer, basketball, baseball, Marshall arts, art classes, etc....
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Post by newuser on Sept 23, 2013 21:46:43 GMT
o vpainter
Thank you very much for getting back.
For specialists I am looking for pediatric dermatologists.
Secondly on what basis will some students be asked to take the test ?
Approx what could be the range in terms of dollars that we will have to keep aside for health insurance. Want to compare with the current amount ?
Lastly what kind of universities in US will the kids be able to
go ? Or have gone in the past if anyone knows
Thanks for the info
Bye take care
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Post by vpainter on Sept 24, 2013 7:02:19 GMT
Health insurance: $55-Employee, $110-Employee+one, $165-Employee+two or more.
I do not know when the kids are tested and when they are not for school placement. I will send you contact information and hope they can help you.
The ARAMCO kids go to universities all over the world, public and private. They can go wherever they get accepted. Grades and activities are considered, so no one can tell you where your kids will get accepted. ARAMCO does not pay for college.
There are dermatologists. Since our kids are grown, I do not know if there is specifically a pediatric dermatologist. Hopefully someone with kids can answer this.
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