James Wong
@Jaming
English expat in Saudi Arabia
Forum
60 posts
Contacts
3
About me
English
Lives in Jeddah, Makkah
Speaks English & Cantonese (Chinese)
Registration: 26 October 2013
Activity
Rugby/Touch Rugby in Astana? by ag71131
Hi All, about to move to Astana...also considering the many ExPats over there, does anybody know where or interested in playing rugby/touch rugby? Thanks Fred
Good luck with that. I taught in one of the NIS school (Aktobe) and with some Kiwi colleagues we tried to introduce Touch Rugby last Summer. Thought KZ has both a Men and ladies national Rugby team and the Ladies team just became Asian Champion ... Read More
Threats of violence towards Expat men by science.teacherman
The Kazakh public has reacted strongly nationwide to the scandal of violence against men by other men because of issues involving women that both me know. If you are unfamiliar with this issue, refer to this link: ...
Hi Fred, I don't know if you have worked or lived in KZ for a while, but in my experience and observation there is an underlining "fear" or "envious" or "jealous" trend towards expats. It is normal at an ... Read More
Healthcare in Kazakhstan by Julien
Hi, how does the healthcare system work in Kazakhstan ? Is it efficient ? What are the main differences between public and private sectors? Is it recommended to purchase private health insurance in Kazakhstan? Thanks in advance for ...
Hi STM, My experience with Interteach are very similar, they are supposed to have someone who can speak good English, but most of time they don't we ended up using hands, signs and Google Translate. Our "International Team management" ... Read More
Top 5 tips to live in Kazakhstan by expat.com
Hi, When you are going to live abroad, you may have a lot of questions. Hence to facilitate you in this process, we are inviting expats to share their top 5 tips with regards to settling and living in Kazakhstan. What recommendations would you ...
I would suggest the followings:- 1) Have an open mind about the cultural and mind set of the country and people - Forget the film Borat. Expect things are not as "straightforward" as it is - There are lots of bureaucracy even in the ... Read More
Certificate of Good Conduct...how to obtain it quickly. by science.teacherman
Does anyone have direct experience obtaining this document. without the use of NIS personnel?
Correction - I did have some obstacles before I managed to get the documentation. Initially I was informed b my IVP that its a straightforward process just needed to go to the right place with someone who can speak the local languages. Thought the ... Read More
Moving to Astana by Bmolly86
Hey guys. So was just wondering wat kind of a lifestyle to expect in Astana. I've been offered a job out there and I'm in two minds whether to take it or not. Is the night life good out there and the general day to day living etc. any ...
In the short time I was there, I found that it is like another capital city lots of things to do and see during the day and lots of things to do and different types of food to eat in the evenings. Again like other "big" city can be costly ... Read More
Hot water by Scrappydoo
When I arrived and moved I to my apartment last Thurs, I had two days of lovely hot water. Since Saturday,the water has been getting colder and colder until last couple of days where there is now no hot water at all? Can any one explain? help?
Hi, Do you have the "Communal" heating and water system or flat's own heating/boiler system? If it is the first there may be a break/leak somewhere in the system. Need to report it to your VP-EA ASAP and follow up. If it is your own ... Read More
Moving from USA to teach Biology at NIS in Kazakhstan by txbiogirl
Hiya! I am moving from the USA to Kazakhstan to teach Biology at NIS in August 2014. I was born in Illinois, raised in Arizona, and been in Texas for all of my adult years. Currently I'm in the Dallas area, in the same house for almost 30 ...
Hi Ladies, Please don't get carried away by bring the kitchen sinks as well ;-) Unless you want to pay for the extra weights/bags you should consider buying the none essential daily item locally, which is available at most ... Read More
Moving from USA to teach Biology at NIS in Kazakhstan by txbiogirl
Hiya! I am moving from the USA to Kazakhstan to teach Biology at NIS in August 2014. I was born in Illinois, raised in Arizona, and been in Texas for all of my adult years. Currently I'm in the Dallas area, in the same house for almost 30 ...
If you are flying AS you have 20kg on the luggage in hold plus 7kg for hand luggage and may be a bit more for the "handbag" as well. So my advice would be if you don't need any heavy winter items now (after checking the local weather ... Read More
Moving from USA to teach Biology at NIS in Kazakhstan by txbiogirl
Hiya! I am moving from the USA to Kazakhstan to teach Biology at NIS in August 2014. I was born in Illinois, raised in Arizona, and been in Texas for all of my adult years. Currently I'm in the Dallas area, in the same house for almost 30 ...
;Hi Ladies, Check your locations' weather and if it is still hot and sunny, bring some sun cream. As you could still get sun burn here. We don't want you looking like a "lobsters" before you settle down do we ;). Enjoy the ... Read More
Moving from USA to teach Biology at NIS in Kazakhstan by txbiogirl
Hiya! I am moving from the USA to Kazakhstan to teach Biology at NIS in August 2014. I was born in Illinois, raised in Arizona, and been in Texas for all of my adult years. Currently I'm in the Dallas area, in the same house for almost 30 ...
Hi all new NIS teachers, Some VERY important advices! Keep all your flight's paper works including the following:- 1) Flight tickets E-tickets 2) Boarding Passes/Cards 3) Prove of payment Receipts and credit cad/bank statement As "The ... Read More
Moving from USA to teach Biology at NIS in Kazakhstan by txbiogirl
Hiya! I am moving from the USA to Kazakhstan to teach Biology at NIS in August 2014. I was born in Illinois, raised in Arizona, and been in Texas for all of my adult years. Currently I'm in the Dallas area, in the same house for almost 30 ...
Hi, You have a choice of try ringing the Halyk Bank Representative office (Tel: 020 7861 9530) and see if they have any to exchange or Take some £ and exchange them in Astana during the transfer Or wait until you arrive and exchange it at a ... Read More
Moving from USA to teach Biology at NIS in Kazakhstan by txbiogirl
Hiya! I am moving from the USA to Kazakhstan to teach Biology at NIS in August 2014. I was born in Illinois, raised in Arizona, and been in Texas for all of my adult years. Currently I'm in the Dallas area, in the same house for almost 30 ...
Hi Peter, Being "British" we tried to be fair and as an IT Geek, factral as well. I don`t say something that is not true or point out things that is NOT true. However, I tried not to say anything bad in public, as some people, feeling ... Read More
Moving from USA to teach Biology at NIS in Kazakhstan by txbiogirl
Hiya! I am moving from the USA to Kazakhstan to teach Biology at NIS in August 2014. I was born in Illinois, raised in Arizona, and been in Texas for all of my adult years. Currently I'm in the Dallas area, in the same house for almost 30 ...
Scrappydoo , You may have problem getting through on the phone (of most VISA Section of Embassies). they are always busy, but its worth a try. For future, may I suggest that it is always worth going to the (any) embassy (Visa Section) personally, ... Read More
Moving from USA to teach Biology at NIS in Kazakhstan by txbiogirl
Hiya! I am moving from the USA to Kazakhstan to teach Biology at NIS in August 2014. I was born in Illinois, raised in Arizona, and been in Texas for all of my adult years. Currently I'm in the Dallas area, in the same house for almost 30 ...
Hi Scrappydoo, My experience with the KZ Embassy in England are very positive only took 5 working days, but I went there myself and collected it 5 working days later. Booked the flight start after that collection in Victoria (Air Astana's main ... Read More