Qatar - Day 5

Some interesting fun-facts I learned about Qatar yesterday via our amazing tour guide Lisa:

1. About 7 years ago, none of the buildings/skyscrapers were there; nor were the roads; nor were the hotels, condos, etc. 
2. Of the skyscrapers and buildings that are currently there, about 60% of them are VACANT. Why? To make the city 'look good'. They are competing with Dubai, essentially, and are doing the lost they an to expand. 
3. Steal and get caught? Lose a hand. Aladdin style.
4. Most other crimes result in a slashing (whipping); 20 slashes minimum, topped off with some lemon and salt to aid your wounds
5. Almost 2 million populate the country - only 245,000 are Qatari citizens
6. World Cup 2020 will be held here

We started our day at DeBakey High School. There is actually a DeBakey High School in Houston, and the school out here in Doha was modeled after the one in Houston. The principal of the school in Doha has been here for 4 years - she transferred out here from Houston. It's a very small school (the graduating class has 26 seniors) with only 148 total students, and 18 faculty members. 

Talking with the principal

The students were taking final exams while we were there, but luckily we got the chance to socialize with them during their break in between the first and second exam. The girls we chatted with were hilarious - so down to earth, and just your typical 9th graders. Of course, I maintained professional stance at all times...

See?

 After we left DeBakey, we had the privilege of meeting the Minister of Education of Qatar. We had a conference with him discussing the education reform in Qatar. It was an honor to be able to meet him, and we got some really great feedback from the conference.

So official

Anxiously awaiting the minister's arrival

Alright enough of the meetings and conferences... Thank goodness for Lisa! She told us that there was no way we could come to the Arabian Peninsula and leave without experiencing the desert. So she changed up our schedule for the rest of the day and decided to add some adventure to our itinerary. I wasn't complaining. She set up a sand-dune jeep tour followed by dinner and music on the beach at an onsite camp... complete with camel riding. WHEW! Check this out... words can't explain how much fun we had. 

Our driver was fearless - we flew over, around, up and down the dunes

Like I said... he didn't mess around. Changed the flat in under 5 minutes - clearly not his first rodeo.

Taking a break for some pictures

Finished with the crazy rides, and heading to camp

Beautiful campsite complete with ping pong, sand volleyball, camel riding, and sand surfing

Where dinner was served

Dinner, (virgin)drinks, music, sand and the ocean - doesn't get much better than that. Not sure how tonight can be topped.

Qatar - Day 4

Cruising through the city of Qatar last night reminded me a bit of Las Vegas. What do you think?

Bright lights, vibrant and very awake city, Lamborghini's and BMW's turning every corner - needless to say, this country has got some money. What doesn't it have? Booze. That's right, Qatar is a dry country (WHAT?!). A little different than Sin City, I'd say. However I did discover that restaurants and hotels sell it, but it equates to be about $16 for a 12 ounce Amstel Light. I'll pass. I could use a little detox anyways. 


This morning we started at the U.S. Embassy of Qatar. Security was much tighter than that of Bahrain, and unfortunately, we didn't receive the pleasure of meeting the Ambassador like we did before. All-in-all it was an informative visit (I guess). I was more excited for the rest of our agenda, so my focus may have been elsewhere during the meeting. Sue me.

6:30-7:30	Breakfast
7:45	Depart from hotel
8:15 - 8:45	Check in to U.S. Embassy
8:45 - 9:30	U.S. Embassy Briefing
10:00 - 12:00	Qatar Academy
12:10 - 4:00	Lunch at Student Center in Education City Briefing on Qatar Foundation Tour of Hamad bin Khalifa University
4:30 - 6:00	Al Shaqab Equestrian Center

Alright Mom, don't freak out, but I found my dream school. Yes, it is in Doha Qatar. Yes, I asked about job opportunities. Yes, they are hiring for next next year (2013 - 2014). And yes, they offered to interview me in October. Now, all of this is very up in the air, but let me show you some pictures of this amazing school.

One of the libraries

One of the 10 technology labs

Chemistry lab

Courtyard

Hallway in the primary school building

One of the pods in the primary school building

Music center - instruments provided for students

Cafeteria

Olympic sized pool in the Rec building

Not kidding

Glass pyramid rooftop of the cafeteria

Qatar Academy is  an International Baccalaureate World School also accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the Council of International School; to sum up, it is quite possibly one of the best educational institutions I have ever come to know.  Qatar Academy is a Pre-K - 12 school, and is only housing 1500 students, which means the student to teacher ratio must be quite low, and the number of resources available to the student body must be (and definitely was) rather high. The principal told us that it is known as one of the top schools in the world when it comes to technology and student resources. Technology centers, 10 state-of-the-art computer labs, multiple chemistry and biology labs, media and art centers, an Olympic sized swimming pool, tennis and squash courts, 5 indoor gymnasiums - tip of the iceberg. What really took my breath away about the school, though, was the design of the buildings. The striking architecture of Qatar Academy buildings on the outside is matched on the inside with spacious classrooms, natural light and a sense of openness. It felt like a community rather than a school building, and I totally dig it.


Qatar Academy is located in the Education City of Qatar, which is located on the outskirts of Doha. It covers about 7 square miles and houses educational facilities from school age, to research level and branch campuses of some of the world's leading universities like VCU, Cornell, and Texas A&M. We were able to visit the branch campuses of Georgetown University, as well as Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar. 

It was really cool to visit the campuses. Above, you see the "blue lounge" at Carnegie Mellon. Above that is Hala, their desk clerk (think Syri, iPhone users). 


After our University visits, we were off to the stables. Al Shaqab is the region’s leading equine education resource center and features the breeding of Arabian horses. Before oil and gas took over this country, Qatar was known for its prized Arabian horses. The center actually started out as a horse farm of the current Emir (Prince) of Qatar. It grew and became the center it is now in 1992. This place was unbelievable; it spread out over 980,000 square meters, and had stable capacity for more than 400 horses. The training facility included a swimming pool, several treadmills, and a speed training track. Ridiculous. 


We toured the facility, and got the chance to take the private elevator up to the Emir's VIP section which was absolutely insane. Here are some pictures - enjoy! See you tomorrow.