is it dangerous work in Erbil for expat female?
I got some offer for job in Erbil in new opening hotel.My question: is it dangerous聽 to live in Erbil for female expat from Europe.
Sure,I have an experience in Middle East countries like Qatar,Kuwait,UAE even i was in Libya before war.But what about Iraq these days,
is safety in Erbil?
Thanks
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if you dont wanna test " when something gonna happen , where and聽 how " unless you dont walk in dark alone in quite places nothing gonna happen.
i have worked in Libya 2 years and the life was much more difficult for a woman rather than Erbil.
regards
win.
i get an offer to transfer to iraq. The problem is how much should i earn to have a decent living?my company is paying me $3000 usd..
im working in Oil&gas industry and will be coming with my wife.
Is it safe in iraq these days?
Tq for the advice!
Erbil is really safe dont worry , i have worked
In Tripoli 1 years too , you will feel much more
comfortable than Libya, but for the future i am politician
I dont know if central iraq government creates problem
with this guys or not .
At the moment security wise i can say ... " Yes it is safe.."
All the best..
Win.
bytheway with the salary i'll be getting, will it be enough for me to spent?
there will be an allowance of usd500 so total pay is usd3500.
will it be wise to accept?i'm in the midst of negotiation and if it's not worth, i will try to ask them to pay me higher.
sorry for asking too much

I am also considering becoming an expat after a job offer I received as a food engineer in Erbil. But being a female and a Turk, I have some questions in my head.
Do women have to go in hijab or cover their heads some way or another? Is it possible to have a network there, I mean is it easy to make friends? How about the way they treat foreigners in general....? So many questions to ask....

I 'd be really happy if you have any idea about those specific questions and answer. Thank you in advance!
Luke Sani wrote:thank you winafrica for the reply..
bytheway with the salary i'll be getting, will it be enough for me to spent?
there will be an allowance of usd500 so total pay is usd3500.
will it be wise to accept?i'm in the midst of negotiation and if it's not worth, i will try to ask them to pay me higher.
sorry for asking too much
Dear Friend,
After your standard expenses paid by the company ( rental house, transport, etc.)
Than you may live with it, but if you have chance to get more sure go for it .
volvox wrote:Hello everyone!
I am also considering becoming an expat after a job offer I received as a food engineer in Erbil. But being a female and a Turk, I have some questions in my head.
Do women have to go in hijab or cover their heads some way or another? Is it possible to have a network there, I mean is it easy to make friends? How about the way they treat foreigners in general....? So many questions to ask....
I 'd be really happy if you have any idea about those specific questions and answer. Thank you in advance!
Dear Volvox you dont have to wear hijab no worries , you will feel yourself
Safe and comfortable .Bye
Win
winafrica wrote:Dear Volvox you dont have to wear hijab no worries , you will feel yourself
Safe and comfortable .Bye
Win
Thank you!
Bye
volvox wrote:Hello everyone!
I am also considering becoming an expat after a job offer I received as a food engineer in Erbil. But being a female and a Turk, I have some questions in my head.
Do women have to go in hijab or cover their heads some way or another? Is it possible to have a network there, I mean is it easy to make friends? How about the way they treat foreigners in general....? So many questions to ask....
I 'd be really happy if you have any idea about those specific questions and answer. Thank you in advance!
you dont have to wear hijab at all... its Erbil NOT Tehran !
Yes you ll make friends, people here are liberal they are so kind&helpful with foreigners...
I come to Erbil 20 days before.the rent of the houses is so expensive.I already rented for 800 usd.It is terrible.
i will help when i be in erbil soon
in ankawa about $ 600 !
Many companies, Arabic families those who come from Baghdad to live in Erbil and more, that is why there is a big demand on the house for rent !!!
this is Nicola. Erbil is very safe. I know many women living there, western ones I mean. No problems at all. Also Sulaymanyah is a safe and very nice place.
I'm living in Sulaymanyah with my wife and she and her friends use to go around without problems.
Bye,
Nicola
Regarding Erbil, I'm Kurdish in Erbil and working with the international organization as IT Manger too, Erbil is very safe area if you compare with other parts don't worry about that, regarding Hijab people here are mix some wear Hijab and the rest normal, food it depends on place to buy you can buy in Malls or free Market or in bazar it is almost cheaper which is downtown, house rent also it depends on the location we have cheap house for rent聽 and expensive it depends on the neighborhood name, so don't worry and聽 if you have any question fell free to ask we can help you.
For more info visit these websites
tourismkurdistan.com
tripadvisor.co.uk/Tourism-g659505-Arbil_Arbil_Province-Vacations.html
panoramio.com/photo/55904440?tag=Erbil Governorate
pbase.com/bmcmorrow/erbilcity
erbillifestyle.com
You can find jobs by some carrer/job portal or website.
I have one proposal now to work in erbil which is under negotiation.
When you go to local places however you might wear something that covers your body, but since you have worked in Muslim countries before I guess you already know that

Members on this thread already posted replies concerning safety in Erbil.
I suggest you to read this topic to get more information.

Regards,
David.
The main difference for me between working elsewehere and in Erbil is my lack of freedom in Erbil. I must be concerned about everywhere I go and how my employer views it. I also need to go with other women or with a male colleague as women here do not routinely go alone around the city. They may walk to the local markets where they live but you never see them walking along the road unless it is a beggar woman.
I am not an attractive woman but yet I have been harassed a bit mostly by stares, gestures with the mouth, and propositions. It does not help that foreign women are shown in American movies as always being ready for sex.
Most of the men here are respectful and want nothing to do with a woman who is not part of their own family. Local women only associate with men who are part of their family. Local women do not ride in random taxis but use the same driver again and again.
That said I have not been the victim of any crimes. The streets seem mostly safe. I have seen pick pockets at work in the main bazaar.
I do not go out alone. I rarely go out after dark unless I am with a group. This seems to make my experiences here more pleasant and hassle free.
Overall if you dress well and cover your body, don't make eye contact with men you do not know, and avoid smiling at local men (which is actually considered flirting here anytime a foreign woman smiles at a local man) you will be ok. No head covering is needed. Clothing can be kind of tight as long as all body parts are covered.
Sorry, but it needs to be said.
Kurdish and Turkman people are very affectionate with all children their own and other children too. They show their affection by touching children's hair and faces with their hands. It might be good to prepare your children for this. The proper response from a child is for the child to smile.
Many families are large and extended here so even males have had significant experience around young children. Waiters at restaurants may even play with your children!
Teachers are expected to kiss their students and students are encourage to kiss their teachers. This really shocked me!
Additionally I find locals offer sweets to children. You may wish to teach your children to accept the sweet but to "save it for later". Then you can dispose of it when the giver is not around and no one is offended.
This trick with sweets also works well when coworkers, announcing marriage, come around with the baklava. A local person told me about it. You can't refuse without offense but to take a piece for later, confessing you just ate, works ok.
This culture adores children and permissive parenting is the norm until the children reach teenage years. Children are present at almost all social events which surprised me a lot.
There are local blonde people, though not too many. The key is how you dress. Adult and teenage women need to cover their arms and legs. You can wear normal clothing, just think be covered. If you want to wear a short skirt, put leggins on under it. If you cover yourself with long sleeves and long pants you will not attract too much attention. Shirts should go to the collarbone too. No low cut or vcut without layering.
By the way even gated communities here have poor security so do not think that will be some sort of a protection from the outside world.
It really is safe here. The political situation around us is not great but in Erbil it is fine. Just keep a low profile and women should go places in groups or with their children along with them.
Local women are only out after dark if their husbands or lots of other women are with them.
Can you please give us more details about the job you are looking for? This might help.

Thank you,
David.

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