Georgetown University: School of Foreign Service in Qatar

Georgetown University: School of Foreign Service in Qatar

Student at board Georgetown University: School of Foreign Service in Qatar

Doha FAQ


What should we do about travel insurance?
Your delegation needs to purchase travel insurance for your trip to Doha. This can not be purchased by us in Doha because it must be purchased in the country where the trip originates. Please arrange travel insurance for the entire group before you depart.

What will happen when we land at the airport?
When you land at the Doha Airport, you will take a bus to the main terminal. Then you will pass through Immigration - look for signs for Doha Immigration, not Transit. Don't be alarmed if there is a long line - it usually moves pretty quickly. Please have a printed copy of your Qatari visa ready to show to the Immigration Officer. This is all you need to do! (If you are a citizen of the GCC, you do not need a visa and can pass through in the quick line for GCC citizens only).

After Immigration, you will collect your bags and pass through an x-ray scan and then you will exit the doors into the Arrivals Hall. You will be greeted by Georgetown University students, who will be wearing Georgetown University t-shirts and holding MUN signs. Please follow the students to the shuttle buses which will bring you to the Marriott.

How will we get from the airport to the hotel?
You will ride shuttle buses to the Marriott Hotel, which is very close to the airport (but in traffic the ride can take up to 20 minutes). There will be a welcome team of Georgetown University students and staff at the hotel as well.

(Please note that if your school is arriving early by choice, then you are responsible for your own hotel stay and your own transportation from the airport. There are many taxis just outside the doors on the left - they are light green and called "Karwa" - and they operate on a meter system. See below for more information on taxis)

When you enter the hotel, we'll ask your chaperone to collect all of your passports because the hotel needs a copy of each guest's passport. The hotel staff will coordinate with your chaperone to check your group in. Please note that if you are arriving on a morning flight, your hotel rooms may not be ready until noon. The hotel staff will do their best to get you into your rooms as soon as possible.

While your chaperone is checking the group in, the students are welcome to come have fresh juice in the Georgetown MUN Information area - we will also give each of you a welcome packet with conference information, schedule, and emergency contact numbers.

How can someone get in touch with me in Qatar?
If you have a laptop, it is a good idea to bring it to the conference. You can purchase internet cards through the hotel at the front desk or through your room, and the entire ground floor of the hotel is wireless-enabled. Then you can stay in touch with family and friends back home.

If you have a mobile phone, you can enact roaming service that will allow the phone to work in Qatar. Please check with your mobile service provider if this is possible for your phone.

We will test your chaperone's phone to see if it is working in Qatar. If it does not work, we will provide your chaperone with a phone so that your group can stay in contact with the conference organizers the whole time.

Additionally your family can contact the Marriott at +974 429 8888 and contact your room or leave a message for you. Keep in mind that if you use the hotel phone to call abroad, it will be very expensive, and your delegation will be responsible for these charges.

What is the currency in Qatar?
The currency in Qatar is the Qatari Riyal. The Riyal is set at a fixed rate to the U.S. Dollar - the exchange rate is 3.65 QR per US Dollar. There is an ATM at the airport (after you exit, to the right of the door) and a small bank at the airport (immediately before you exit, on the right). There is a bank at the Marriott (out the front door, to the right), and the front desk of the Marriott also exchanges money. Here are some typical prices in Qatar:  Water 5 QR, Bic Mac Meal 17 QR, Movie ticket 35 QR.

What is the time zone in Qatar?
Qatar is on GMT + 3 time. This is the same time zone as Saudi Arabia. Qatar is 2 hours ahead of London, 1 hour ahead of Paris and Cairo, and 8 hours ahead of Washington D.C. (during daylight savings time in the US). Qatar is 1 hour behind Dubai, and 7 hours behind Beijing.

What is the weather going to be like during the conference?
Weather in Doha in January can be unpredictable. It is often cool and windy, especially at night. It occasionally rains in January as well. Average temperatures range from 7 to 25 degrees Celsius, or 45 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Bring layers!

What will we do until the conference starts?
Most schools will arrive at some point during the day on Thursday January 29th, in time for the Opening Ceremony at 5 pm. If you arrive on Thursday, your time is your own until 5. We encourage you to rest because it's going to be a busy weekend. If you arrive on Wednesday night or very early in the morning on Thursday, then we invite you to join us on an Optional Trip to the not-yet-opened Islamic Art Museum, the Corniche, and Villagio Shopping Mall (where you can also eat lunch). This outing will last from 9 to 3 pm, giving you enough time to come back to the hotel and change before the Opening Ceremony. Please check with your chaperone to see if your school signed up for this outing.

What time does the conference end each night?
The conference schedule is a little different each day. On Thursday night, your committee will wrap up by 9:00 pm. On Friday, committee sessions will end at 3:00 pm. You are then invited to join us for the Visit to Education City (more on this later). You should be back at the hotel by 8:00 pm. On Saturday, committee ends at 5:00 pm. You are then invited to join us for the Optional trip to the Souk. You will be back at the hotel by 8:30 pm, and the Cultural Night begins at 9:00 pm. On Sunday, the conference will conclude by 2:00 pm.

Will we visit the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar campus?
Yes! Check with your chaperone to see if your group signed up to visit the Georgetown University campus in Education City. We will leave the hotel at 3:30 and have a full afternoon of at a college-style fair: where you can listen to sample university lectures, play games and competitions, attend admissions presentations, visit admissions booths, buy Georgetown gear, and sample international cuisine.
Can we purchase any Georgetown University items?
Yes. There will be a small bookstore set up during the Visit to Education City on Friday. There will be a range of items from keychains and pens to t-shirts and sweatshirts.

When will we have free time?
While the conference schedule is busy, you will have chances for free time. Thursday before 5 pm and after 9 pm is free. Friday after 8 pm is free. Depending on when your flight leaves, you may also have free time on Sunday after 2 pm. Some schools must spend the night an extra night due to flight schedules - which means you are on your own to explore the city!

How can we use the internet at the hotel?
The ground floor of the Marriott is wireless-enabled, so if you would like to access the internet, you can purchase a 24 hour internet card from the front desk of the hotel. These cards are 150 QR. You may also connect to the internet in your hotel room (for details, please speak to hotel staff). If you do not have a computer, you may access the internet in the business center. Please note, the internet is your own personal expense. Only the Press Committee will have internet access provided for them.

How will we be able to print and copy during the conference?
There will be a Xerox copy machine available for delegate use during the conference. It will be located in the Press Room and priority will be given to the press committee and to committee chairs who need to copy resolutions or other information.

There will also be several "Print Stations" in the Press Room and in the 11th Floor Lounge (UNSC, USNSC, NATO, and ARAB LEAGUE are all located on the 11th floor). To print at a print station, you can e-mail the document to yourself and then load it at the print station which is connected to connected to the internet. However, please remember that if you want internet on your laptop, you have to purchase the internet card yourself from the Marriott. Another option is to bring a USB and save documents to the USB, then load them at the Print Stations. This option allows you to print without purchasing an internet card.

How much do taxis cost?
The main taxi company in Doha is Karwa and the taxis operate on a meter system. The minimum charge is 18 QR, and you rarely pay over 50 QR to go anywhere in Doha. Another company is Fox. These taxis are more expensive, usually 35 QR minimum, up to 75 QR. Your welcome packet will have the taxi cab numbers in it. The hotel can also call you a cab - make sure you specify what kind of cab you would like, otherwise you may end up in a fancy hotel sedan.
What should we wear during the conference?
 During the conference, all delegates are expected to wear business attire. You may also wear the formal dress of your home country or the country that you are representing in the conference. This means suit and tie for men; and formal pants/skirt and top for women. Jackets are optional. It is a good idea to dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees.

What should we wear in our free time or on the optional excursions?
You are more than welcome to wear casual clothes on all the excursions. Not many people in Doha wear shorts, but they are an option. Try to keep them past your knees and remember it might be cool outside. If you are wearing short sleeves, it's a good idea to use a shawl or scarf. There are many people living in Doha from all around the world, so you will see all styles of dress. However, it's a good idea to dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees.
How will we get back to the airport?
Your chaperone will coordinate with conference staff to catch a shuttle back to the airport. Your group must arrive at the airport 2 hours ahead of the flight, so you may need to leave 2.5 hours ahead of your flight. Even though the airport is close, traffic can be very heavy. If you are leaving Sunday night, you will have to check out of the hotel Sunday morning and store your luggage in the hotel storage room until time to leave. If you decide to go out into the city, you will have to return to the hotel in plenty of time to collect your belongings and catch the shuttle. Please remember you may be sharing the shuttle with other schools, so it's important not to be late.

(Please note that if your school is staying late by choice, then you are responsible for your own hotel stay and your own transportation to the airport. There are many taxis in Doha and the hotel can also assist you.)

What else can we do in Doha?
Qatar is a small country, but there are many things to do, including:

  • Museum of Islamic Art
  • Qatar National Museum
  • Souq Waqif (a traditional outdoor market with stalls selling a wide range of fabrics, spices, souvernirs, with many indoor and outdoor cafes, a new art gallery, falcon stores, and live music on the weekends)
  • City Center (a large mall with two food courts, an ice-skating rink, a bowling alley, banks, and shopping)
  • Villagio (a large mall with a food court, ice rink, various dining options, and extensive shopping options)
  • Landmark (a large mall with a food court, cinemas, and extensive shopping options)
  • Dhow Cruise (A traditional boat trip along the Corniche (the main sea area of Doha). These do not need reservation, can be hailed at various locations along the Corniche (next to the Sheraton hotel for instance), and vary in length (usually last from 20 minutes to an hour)
  • City Tours – experienced guides provide commentary while touring around the camel market, the Weaponry Museum, Doha’s Corniche, the dhow building yard, the falconry market and the souqs.
  • Desert Safari Tours
  • To arrange a tour, visit one of the websites below:
Where can we eat in Doha?
Doha has many great dining options, so feel free to explore the city if you have free time. You'll find fast food, regional and cultural cuisine, and fine dining in the top-end hotels. Near the Marriott hotel, there is a Sbarro, Papa Johns Pizza, and a Hardees, as well as "Ric's Kountry Kitchen" - an American-style diner that is a favorite with local expats, especially for breakfast.

For a more cultural experience, there are many good restaurants and coffee shops in Souq Waqif, including Tajine (Moroccan), Le Gourmet (International), Al Bandar (Seafood), Al-Adhamiyya (Iraqi), Isfahan Gardens (Persian), and more. A local favorite are the many shwarma restaurants found all over town.

Doha has very good Indian food, with some favorites including the fancier Chingari (located in the Ramada hotel), the Garden (vegetarian downstairs, buffet upstairs), Bukhara (at the Khalifa Tennis Compound), and Asha's (Contemporary Indian, located at Villagio Mall).

Another favorite experience is the busy Merqab (also known as Al Nasr) Street - filled with small bookstores, rug shops, tailors, pet shops, and several excellent, cheap restaurants. These include Turkey Central, a Turkish restaurant serving excellent mezze (Arabic style appetizers), sandwiches, and grilled meats; and just across the street is Thai Snack, always busy with a mixed crowd enjoying cheap Thai food and a nice courtyard.

Are there any cultural differences that we need to be aware of?
While Qataris are usually very friendly and welcoming, it would be best to avoid any possible awkward situations by taking heed of the following:

  • Use greetings and formalities. It is considered impolite to start a conversation without at least saying “Good Morning” or “Good Afternoon.”
  • Dress modestly.
  • You can bargain with local shopkeepers at locations such as Souq Waqif.
  • Watch out for separate section for women in banks and other utilities.
  • Do not look or stare at people closely.
  • Avoid asking a veiled lady for information or directions if you are a man. Some covered ladies tend to be very private in public.
  • Do not be offended if your handshake is refused by a Muslim. According to some Muslims, it is a religious prohibition to shake hands with members of the opposite gender.
  • Do not be annoyed if your contact is late, especially in informal meetings. Time is a little more elastic in Qatar.
  • Do not take photographs without asking permission first. Some women and older people tend to strongly object to being photographed.
  • Qatar is very safe, so if permissible, feel free to explore the country at night.
  • Drinking is illegal in unless you are over 21. Nonetheless, there is zero tolerance for any drunk or rowdy behavior.


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Georgetown University · School of Foreign Service in Qatar · Liberal Arts and Science (LAS) Building
Education City · P.O. Box 23689 · Doha, Qatar
phone: +974 457 8100 · fax: +974 457 8241
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