Maldives
Relocation Guide
Currency
Climate
Language
The currency of the Maldives is the Maldivian rufiyaa. The US dollar is widely accepted, and even appreciated.
The summer never ends in the Maldives. Although it is warm throughout the year there are slight variations in the temperature during certain periods determined by the monsoons. The Northwest monsoons, from November to April are mostly dry with very little wind, while the Southwest monsoon from May to October brings some rain and wind. Being on the equator, the monsoons are mild and the temperature varies very little. The annual average daily temperature is between 30.4 and 25.4 degrees Celsius. The average rainfall is below 2m per annum.
English is widely spoken and understood, at varying levels, particularly by the younger generation. This is largely because English is the teaching language used in schools, however nearly all students are taught by teachers for whom English is also a second language. As a consequence, results may vary.
Phone etiquette
Medical
Schooling
The Maldivian phone manner is initially very jarring for many foreign workers. Telephone conversations are abrupt and to the point, and free of small talk and niceties such as “hello” or “goodbye”. Callers will rarely identify themselves unless prompted, or even offer a greeting, expecting that you will have already identified them via caller ID.
There are two major hospitals in Male’, one government (Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital), and one private (ADK), that are roughly comparable. There are also innumerable private clinics for every ailment imaginable. Nearly every resort has a resident doctor, or at least a nurse capable of dealing with assorted traumas. The country’s two decompression chambers for diving accidents are located at Bandos near Male’, and Kuramathi.
Educational standards are unfortunately very low in the Maldives, with scarcely a third of all O’Level candidates obtaining pass marks despite extensive use of private tuition. The standard of secondary teaching even is not particularly high, making that the lack of schooling for older children a major impediment for many expatriates in choosing to work in the Maldives.
Current Exchange Rates as of June 2014: 1 GBP = 25.88 MVR 1 EUR = 20.87 MVR 1 USD = 15.42 MVR
Maldives
Relocation Guide
Currency
Climate
Language
The currency of the Maldives is the Maldivian rufiyaa. The US dollar is widely accepted, and even appreciated.
The summer never ends in the Maldives. Although it is warm throughout the year there are slight variations in the temperature during certain periods determined by the monsoons. The Northwest monsoons, from November to April are mostly dry with very little wind, while the Southwest monsoon from May to October brings some rain and wind. Being on the equator, the monsoons are mild and the temperature varies very little. The annual average daily temperature is between 30.4 and 25.4 degrees Celsius. The average rainfall is below 2m per annum.
English is widely spoken and understood, at varying levels, particularly by the younger generation. This is largely because English is the teaching language used in schools, however nearly all students are taught by teachers for whom English is also a second language. As a consequence, results may vary.
Phone etiquette
Medical
Schooling
The Maldivian phone manner is initially very jarring for many foreign workers. Telephone conversations are abrupt and to the point, and free of small talk and niceties such as “hello” or “goodbye”. Callers will rarely identify themselves unless prompted, or even offer a greeting, expecting that you will have already identified them via caller ID.
There are two major hospitals in Male’, one government (Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital), and one private (ADK), that are roughly comparable. There are also innumerable private clinics for every ailment imaginable. Nearly every resort has a resident doctor, or at least a nurse capable of dealing with assorted traumas. The country’s two decompression chambers for diving accidents are located at Bandos near Male’, and Kuramathi.
Educational standards are unfortunately very low in the Maldives, with scarcely a third of all O’Level candidates obtaining pass marks despite extensive use of private tuition. The standard of secondary teaching even is not particularly high, making that the lack of schooling for older children a major impediment for many expatriates in choosing to work in the Maldives.
Current Exchange Rates as of June 2014: 1 GBP = 25.88 MVR 1 EUR = 20.87 MVR 1 USD = 15.42 MVR