aberdeen
introduction
work environment
The buildings also have IDE rooms (integrated decision environment) with video conferencing, which helps improve the speed and quality of decision making in key areas such as safety, reliability, environment and production.
There is also a fitness facility that has the latest exercise equipment. It is open to employees 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Chevron House has a cafeteria that serves breakfast, lunch including salads, soups, sandwiches, two hot-meal choices and snacks.
housing
Aberdeen offers a variety of housing choices, including single-family homes, duplexes, terraces and flats also known as apartments. The decision as to where to live is usually based on personal needs, lifestyle preferences, and proximity to work and schools.
Expatriate employees typically live along the North Deeside Road corridor in Cults, Bieldside, Milltimber, Peterculter or Maryculter, so as to be near the International School of Aberdeen. Commute times from these areas to the Chevron office vary from 5 to 20 minutes which is approximately 3 to 16 km, or 2 to 10 miles.
Most expatriates usually find that housing in Aberdeen is more expensive compared to their home location, and they generally choose to live in a smaller house with smaller appliances.
Employees can bring their own furniture or rent partially or fully furnished houses or apartments. Pets may be allowed, depending on the landlord and what is negotiated in the lease.
Leases for houses and apartments are usually on a two- or three-year term basis, with payment on a monthly basis.
utilities
- Power and Gas: Power and gas services are set up by the local relocation consultant. Employees pay quarterly bills for these services.
- Telephone: Employees are responsible for setting up their own telephone service.
- Water and Trash Collection: Water and trash collection services are included in the annual tax bill from the Aberdeen City Council. Chevron's relocation provider pays the tax bill. Employees reimburse Chevron for the water and trash collection.
- Internet: In general, homes have Internet service capabilities. Internet service is available through a number of providers, such as British Telecom (BT) and Sky. Employees establish and pay for their own Internet service. Coffee shops often provide a free wireless connection for their customers. Local libraries have computers with Internet access for public use.
support services
Two types of medical services are available in Aberdeen:
- Public health services (NHS Grampian)
- Private health services (Albyn Hospital)
The U.K. national government provides national health services. Chevron also offers coverage for health care through private medical providers. Dentists and pharmacies (sometimes called chemists) are also available in Aberdeen.
It is very important to interview and check references of those you are considering. The phone book, neighbors and other employees are good references for these services.
education
Founded in 1972, ISA offers internationally recognized co-educational studies for students of all nationalities. To meet the needs of its student body, ISA's program was developed by using the best examples of United Kingdom, United States, and international curriculum models. The ISA is jointly accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and the Council of International Schools.
The school is organized into three sections:
- Elementary School (pre-kindergarten through 5th grade)
- Middle School (6th through 8th grade)
- High School (9th through 12th grade)
Approximately 490 students, representing more than 35 nationalities, attend ISA. The school's teaching staff (who are from the United Kingdom, the United States and 10 other nations) are all university-certified, and more than half hold advanced degrees.
The school campus on North Deeside Road, is approximately 4.5 km (2.75 miles) from the downtown City Center and 3.5 km (2 miles) from the Chevron office. Children can walk to school, take a bus or get dropped off by their parents. The school year starts in August and ends in June.
School facilities include a swimming pool, library, computer lab, tennis courts, and two theaters. Extracurricular activities include sports, choir, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, computer club, environmental club, and Spanish club. A complete list of sports and extracurricular activities is available on the school's Web site.
Based on the pattern of no single country, the IB programme is a deliberate combination of the specialisation required in some national systems and the breadth preferred in others.
shopping
transportation
Drivers drive on the left side of the road in the United Kingdom.
The national rail system has routes throughout much of Great Britain. Edinburgh is a popular day trip from Aberdeen.
recreational and entertainment
The American Women's Association is open for active membership to women who are U.S. or Canadian citizens. Women not eligible for active membership may apply for associate membership.
Activities available to members include:
- Book Club
- Bridge
- Bunko
- Mah-Jong
- Culinary Caravan
- Stitchin' Chicks (quilting and sewing)
- Moms and Tots
- Scrap & Flap
- Theatre Buffs
- Tennis
- Walking for Wussies (hikes up to 5 km or 3 miles)
- Explorers (hikes up to 16 km or 10 miles)
- Golf
Kippie Lodge is a private sports and country club that provides quality dining and leisure facilities for its members. The lodge building hosts a lounge bar, conservatory, dining facilities, a conference suite, and snooker room. The lodge's sports complex includes:
- 18-meter swimming pool
- All-weather tennis courts
- Squash courts
- Fully equipped gymnasium
- Saunas
- Steam room
- Driving range
- Nine-hole golf course
An alternative to Kippie Lodge is David Lloyd's, which offers:
- 25-meter indoor swimming pool
- Indoor splash pool for children
- Indoor and outdoor tennis courts
- Badminton courts
- Open-plan gym
- Spinning bikes
- Free weights
- Stretching zone
- Aerobic studios
- Sauna
- Steam room
- Indoor whirlpool
- Restaurant and bar
- TV lounge
- Function suite
- Saks hair and beauty salon
- Sunbed
- Internet café
- Soft play area for children
- Nursery
Scotland is the birthplace of modern golf, and golf is very popular there. In fact, Scotland is home to more than 500 public and private golf courses. Many of the private clubs allow visitors to play within restricted times.
Popular courses include:
North East Courses
Royal Aberdeen
St. Andrews
Carnoustie
Kings Barns
Cruden Bay
More information about golf in Scotland is available on the Scotland - The Home of Golf website.
Scotland is a walker's paradise. Throughout the country there are thousands of trails, ranging from short hikes to long-distance journeys. Hikers seeking a challenge can try one or more of the Munros, which provide stunning views and vistas (each one of the 283 hilltops is above 914 meters/3,000 feet).
More information about Scotland's trails is available at:
Visit Scotland
Undiscovered Scotland: The Ultimate Online Guide
Scotland is famous for its whisky. The Whisky Trail offers a memorable tour of various distilleries in the area. Tour participants learn how distilleries create the distinctive taste, texture, color and smell of whisky, and participants are treated to samples of different whisky varieties along the way.
More information about Scotland's whisky and the Whisky Trail is available at:
North East Scotland is home to hundreds of castles and castle ruins, providing a wealth of history to explore.
More information about Scotland's castles and the Castle Trail is available at:
Visit Scotland.com
Hamish's Guide to Scotland
Dunnottar Castle
There is no selection committee to approve the entries, so any type of event is possible. The Fringe often showcases experimental works that might not be admitted to a more formal festival. In addition to ticketed events, there is an ongoing street fair on the Royal Mile.
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo hosts a celebration of talent from four continents. The talent includes pipers, gymnasts, singers, dancers and an amazing motorcycle display team. Held at Edinburgh Castle, the program features the music of the Massed Pipes and Drums and the Massed Military Bands.
Many fast-food outlets, such as Pizza Hut, KFC, McDonalds and Starbucks, can be found along the city streets and inside the shopping malls. There is also a variety of ethnic restaurants, including French, Italian, Chinese, Indian, Mediterranean, Thai, Chinese and Middle Eastern.
A few high-end dining establishments include:
Nargile
Howies
Lairhillock
Royal Thai
Falls of Feugh
Expats also enjoy the following restaurants:
Prego Aberdeen
Bistro Verde
Eat on the Green
The Cock and Bull
Pizza Express
The Bieldside Inn
Rustico
additional information
Aberdeen hosts many religious denominations, including:
Deeside Christian Fellowship
Hillview Community Church (formerly International Baptist Church)
Catholic Church
Methodist Church
Church of Scotland in Aberdeen
Just as in other Western countries, dress is a form of expression. Because people from many cultures live here, dress varies from conservative and covered up to revealing.
In general, employees are encouraged to dress as appropriate for the business environment in which they operate. In most circumstances business casual, as outlined below, is acceptable. However, more formal attire (such as business suits) may be appropriate for meetings with third parties.
Examples of business casual dress include:
- Men - Trousers, shirts with collars, casual shoes other than sneakers.
- Women - Trousers, skirts, sweaters, blouses, casual shoes other than sneakers.
Unacceptable attire under normal circumstances include, t-shirts, casual sports shirts, shorts, casual sandals, tennis shoes or trainers and track suits.