EXPAT HANDBOOK - Before they come

Transcription

1 EXPAT HANDBOOK - Before they come Clothing: Apts and school are neither air conditioned nor heated. Small space heaters and ineffective fans are all that are used, and only small spaces are either heated or cooled THEREFORE: For winter: bring layers of clothing. We actually sit in our beds and their blankets to do school work. The inside temperatures sit in the 30s and 40s. You need sweats or bathrobes for cooking and working in the apt. and whatever you re comfortable in in your own room. Sometimes we wear coats over sweatshirts inside. My roommates and I were hermits huddled in our own rooms with our doors closed for months on end. Bring both a heavy keepyou-warm coat and a lightweight rain jacket. You will want warm scarves and gloves. For summer again layers you need to be down to tank tops on your own time. Classrooms are stifling so dress accordingly. Polyester shirts over tank tops were too hot!! Clothing is available here, but it takes awhile to get to know people and places to shop and how to get there and the best/cheapest places to go. Come prepared. Shoes: bring enough for all seasons and weather Toiletries are available here, many of them familiar American brands, bring only items of which you have a favorite. Women: Feminine products are at a minimum, tampons are not common here. Men: Foods not commonly available here: Mexican spices

2 Brown sugar molasses Black beans Vanilla extract Oven thermometer American measuring cups and measuring spoons When you first get here: Water the local water gives many people problems. Some people who have been here for years have been drinking the tap water while others only use bottled water. It is recommended that new people drink ONLY bottled water for a month or two while their bodies adjust to the water which them will get in cooked foods. There have also been reports of people having kidney stones when they return to the States after they drank the local water. So it s a choice, but be informed. Rx s Bring prescriptions with you for meds. Pharmacies are separate businesses here and are more lax than at home, BUT many meds aren t available here. So if there is something you need, again, be prepared. If this is an issue for you, get set up with a Dr. right away. Linens, household things are mostly available. It is easier to buy small appliances here so they don t need transformers and adapters (blow driers, etc.) Teacher materials are completely different here, including the size of paper used.

3 EXPAT HANDBOOK When they get here 1. Cashing Checks - One needs to present his/ her carte de sejour or passport - Banking hours is from 9am to 4pm but different hours on Fridays and Ramadan 2. CNSS - Those who are over 60 are not covered - 4 sick days can be reimbursed with CNSS - Medical consultations and medicine can be reimbursed at a certain amount 3. List of doctors and dentists (needs to be implemented) 4. Optional Health Insurance - We provide an optional health insurance (based in UK), coordinate with Siham 5. Flight ticket reimbursement - We will reimburse a round trip ticket for every 3 full years of service in Amicitia (provided that the teacher will return on his/ her 4 th year) - Reimbursement is in 3 installments. Requests to be reimbursed in US dollars is subject for approval and availability 6. Health Club - Free classes for employees 7. Senior Teacher Designation - Foreigners 3 or more years of service - Moroccans 7 or more years of service 8. Vacation Leaves - Senior teachers/ Senior Staff 10 days - Other teachers/ Staff 5 days

4 9. Lunch Subsidy - Teachers pay 20dh instead of 25dh 10. Arabic Classes offered for a minimum fee 11. CNSS Unemployment Benefit - CNSS gives a certain stipend if employee is unemployed for 6 months 12. Carte de Sejour/ Residence card - First application is valid for 1 year and succeeding applications will be granted more years depending on the country of origin - Documents vary so better to bring all possible documents 13. Attestation d travail/ Employment contract filed with the Ministry of Employment - Needs to be renewed every year - Criminal background check needs to be done in Rabat 14. Transportation - Petit taxis and buses are used to get around the city. Petit taxis starting rate is 1.40dh (night rate starts at 2.10dh) - Grand taxis are available to go around other areas - Trains to go to major cities 15. Dress Code - Sleeveless, Shorts, tight clothing is not advisable for women. Clothes with butt cover is recommended for women to avoid harassment on the streets 16. Utilities - There is only one company for electricity and water (Radeef) 17. Pay Increases - Under Moroccan law, a certain amount is given after 2 and 5 years of service - Pay increases may also be given by discretion of the management

5 18. Summer Salaries - For retuning teachers, summer salaries are given in August - For non-returning teachers, last salary will be paid in June