Working in the Middle East

Could you briefly tell us about yourself?

I joined CTCI at around 5 years ago, after handling factory building in an architecture firm for 2 years. 

After I entered the company and completed training, I soon joined a major project in Qatar. The civil/structure design work lasted for a year and then I was mobilized to a steel fabrication yard and project site as a field engineer.

What made you join CTCI?

CTCI is an industry-leading company not only in Taiwan, but worldwide, that’s the reason I joined CTCI - to expand my vision.

Could you share some interesting experience you had when working in CTCI?

Ramadan is probably the most unforgettable experience when working in Muslim countries, and will affect various aspects of work: the working hour will shift 2 hours earlier than normal period - which means you need to wake up at 4:00 am, the productivity also decreases significantly because workers cannot drink/eat during daytime, and even the foreigners are refrained from having anything publicly. Streets are so silent with sun light but become very lively after sunset. 

How do you get rid of work stress?

Since we all stayed in the camp near construction site (and far away from Doha), exercise became a common activity after work, there are many facilities in the camp – swimming pool, gym, basketball/tennis court, etc., and I enjoy playing tennis with players from different countries, and, of course, what else can compare with having a drink with colleagues in a camp bar in Thursday night!

Could you give us some examples of the foreign culture and people that impress you during your stay (when being relocated)?

While I stayed in Qatar, we found that QATAR was hosting international camel race and visited the track at middle of QATAR. Once we arrived at the track, all the imagination of Arabian suddenly became real-- I did not feel that I was in the Arab world until that day. 

Could you tell us the greatest gain you have when you were dispatched?

I met a girl while I traveled from Qatar to Iran on vacation, and she became my wife now; I think this is the best reward at all times.