‘Opportunity I could not let pass’: Hong Kong expats embrace life in Qatar
Despite facing cultural adjustments, Hongkongers are discovering unexpected benefits of relocating to Islamic country
Hongkonger and Christian William Soo Yau-kung beat the odds by starting a new chapter in his career eight years ago at the age of 50, relocating to the Islamic country of Qatar, an unconventional choice perhaps for expats.
“Working for Qatar [Airways] is like playing an international match as I get to work alongside top engineers from around the world – holding almost 200 different passports – which motivates me to learn more and do better,” the flight operations engineer said.
“While most companies concentrate their resources on daily operations, I was given a chance to build a new system, a project my company recognised for its long-term importance.”
The job satisfaction, combined with an attractive package that included accommodation and his twin sons’ education at an international school – comparable to that of a pilot in his previous company – has led to Soo’s family staying in Doha for eight years.
As a Christian family, Soo explained they had been able to find their religious community in the Muslim country but must adhere to the rules during Ramadan.