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and particularly Karachi, is representative of a large portion
of the developing world because it is a hybrid of two great
civilizations, that of India and that of Islam. Karachi is a
developing city with much to offer and the attendant
challenges of a developing economy.
Living
in Karachi is exciting as well an enriching and diverse
cultural experience. Karachi is a city of more than 15 million people on
the shore of the Arabian Sea, but its population belies its
size - it is an easy city to get around and visit. Karachi is
Pakistan’s most cosmopolitan city and has much to offer, yet
is more reserved and less developed than other major cities in
the Middle East or Asia. Five-star hotels and office towers in
the city center soar above small flat-roofed houses the color
of the desert. Bazaars and markets bustle with people and sell
nearly anything one can imagine. People move in from other
provinces of the country to find work and the streets are
alive with color and energy.
There
are a variety of activities available in Karachi for
recreation and enjoyment. Occasional theater performances,
concerts, musical performances and various galas have become
more common. There is a lack of western cinema and nightclubs, though
restaurants abound.
Pakistani
cuisine is a highlight of living in Karachi. Pakistani cooking is
a unique blend of traditional and modern spices of the sub-continent.
In addition
to many five-star hotels, one can dine on international fare in
well-established restaurants around the city. Featured
cuisines are Italian, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Turkish, French
and a range of seafood and barbecue specialists.
Water
sports are popular because of Karachi’s proximity to the
Arabian Sea. Beaches are nearby and there are many
opportunities for fishing, sailing and golf. There are also a
number of opportunities for environmental and conservation
activity: giant seas turtles lay their eggs on miles of
beaches just outside the city and there is ongoing work in
restoring the mangrove swamps.
Most
expatriates find life to be very pleasant in Karachi. KAS teachers live very comfortably with competent household help
available. KAS has tennis and squash
courts, swimming pool, gym, work out rooms and athletic fields
to meet basic
recreational needs. The school provides a satellite dish so
all homes have access to live CNN and BBC broadcast, and cable
TV is readily available. A wide variety of videocassettes are
available from local shops. Several local English language
newspapers, and the International Herald Tribune, Time and
Newsweek have home delivery.
People
of Pakistan
Pakistani’s
are sociable people; if you ask for the way, you will sooner
he invited to tea than shown the direction. The word
‘friend’ is something of greatest significance in
Pakistan. Pakistani’s value the word and try to follow the
ideal of friendship that will last a lifetime.
People
in town and villages moreover feel it is an honor to be a
friend to a foreign guest; all they ask in return is
recognition of their culture and customs. A Pakistani will
strive to great lengths to prove worthy of your friendship.
People
depend on each other for their socio-economic needs much more
than in the west. Building relationships is key to one’s
future. One of the foremost cultural traits of the Pakistani
who is conscious of his cultural tradition is hospitality. It
is common to be invited regularly into the homes of Pakistani
friends. Expatriates are mostly very impressed by the status a
guest enjoys and the treatment and attention s/he receives.
Language
Urdu is the official language of
Pakistan, and is the main language of radio and TV broadcasts.
But only about one in twelve people speak Urdu because people
living in the different provinces speak their own provincial
languages, and thus some 10-12 different languages or dialects
prevail in the city.
English
is widely spoken in Karachi. It is the language of the
educated classes, the military and the corporate world, and is
considered vital for anyone wishing to get ahead. All signs
are in English and Urdu.
Climate
Pakistan has several deserts and is a fairly dry
country. The summers are very hot and the winters bitterly
cold, especially in the north. The province of Sindh, in which
Karachi is located, is largely a desert with the fertile Indus
valley running its length. Rain is very rare in Sindh, and
Karachi sees only two or three storms a year. Karachi, due to
its proximity to the sea, enjoys pleasant weather; though
quite warm, and experiences two seasons in the year, a long
summer and a shorter spring, with cool evenings from November
through February.
Religion
Pakistan is a Muslim state and there is a definite
pervasive Muslim flavor in all aspects of life. The majority
of Pakistanis are Muslim, and Islam believes in the dignity of
the individual and his freedom. The people of Pakistan are
remarkably free from totalitarian tendencies - the democratic
social system of Islam has bred in Pakistan a people fully
conscious of their freedom and tolerant of individual opinion
and action.
There are Hindus, Buddhists and a fair number of
Christians and Parses in Karachi. Freedom to practice one’s
faith is guaranteed in the constitution and is appreciated by
all.
Dress
Code
Although there is no single dress code that suits the
needs of every person in every situation, it is clearly
understood by all that modesty prevails in keeping body, legs
and forearms covered. Nearly everyone in
Pakistan wears leather sandals and the shalwar kameez, the
national dress ideally suited for the climate. The shalwar is
a pair of thin cotton trousers, baggy but tapered at the
ankles. The kameez is a long, cotton shirt that
extends to the knees. Women wear the shalwar kameez in a wide
variety of colors and designs. Western dress is also widely accepted and very common.
School dress code is consistent with most schools and is a mix
of western and Pakistani attire.
Security
In recent years a number of law and order and
politically sponsored events have created greater concern for
personal safety than has been the case in the past. It is
important to speak with the Superintendent about the most up
to date security information in Karachi.
What’s
Available in Karachi
Pakistan is an agricultural nation and its produce is
beautiful. Fruits and vegetables are available in abundance in
Karachi. There are seasonal and year round fruits, among them
the coveted mangoes of the summer, and the tangerines,
oranges, plump grapefruits and pomegranates that are sought
after in winter Bananas, apples and coconut are common year
round. All kinds of seafood, poultry and meat products are
easily available in supermarkets and the commissary.
Imported food products are easily accessible and most
expatriates enjoy shopping at Agha’s, Paradise and TesMart
(a franchise of the UK), one-stop supermarkets.
Karachi is well known for its leather goods. Excellent
bags, wallets, luggage, briefcases and clothing are easily
found and very reasonable.
Tons of fabric and a variety of cloth is marketed in
Karachi, as Pakistan is world famous for the quality of cotton
products it makes. There are big shopping areas that cater
entirely to the trading of domestic and imported fabric. It is
fun and easy to choose and buy material of your choice and
have it tailored. Ready-made garments are also a roaring
business throughout Karachi.
One of the most luxurious items to acquire is
hand-knotted carpets and kilims. These works of art, suitable
for the floor or hanging upon the wall, range in color and
treatment and are of truly exquisite design. Karachi is an entry port
where the finest carpet producers in the world market
their products. Iranian, Turkish, Afghani, Russian, Central
Asian, Pakistani, and Chinese carpets are sold in several
areas.
Karachi is also well known for its wicker and wood
furniture. The craftsmanship in Pakistan is very good, and all
furniture and clothing items can easily he reproduced from
photographs or designed from sketches. Hundreds of jewelry
shops dot the cityscape. Many designers work out of their
homes and are available by appointment. Top line electronic
and computer products are readily available at prices
comparable to the US.
Employment
Related Links
Current
Openings
Salary & Benefits of KAS
Employment
Application
Teaching in Pakistan
Introduction
to Pakistan
School
Philosophy and Learning Theory
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