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My wife and I worked in Kuwait for 2 years and were generally very well treated at our school (AISK) and enjoyed our stay in Kuwait. We took long walks on the beach, ate well in fashionable and clean restaurants, loved the kids, made many fast friends with whom we still remain in touch, and had excellent accommodations which were large, air-conditioned and also enjoyed excellent medical coverage. There wasn't a heck of a lot to do for younger people there but we did visit all the museums Kuwait had to offer, went to the cinema occasionally and shopped until we dropped. Travel arrangements were plentiful and interesting but expensive at the time. Everything, however, was provided for and we obtained all the help we needed in settling in and acclimating to Kuwait. We would return if offered similar positions under similar circumstances. |
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I lived
and worked in Kuwait for 4 years. I found it to be a very nice
and convenient place
to live. The students were lovely and for the most part the parents
were pleasant as well. I was lucky to have had a good administration
to work with. I do not think it is any more dangerous than any
other country in that part of the world. I do think people have
to stick together and help each other through some of the rough
stuff, but again that would be true anywhere. One of the biggest
problems with teaching in Kuwait is that so many of the teachers
are brand new to teaching and many have little or no training.
There are a large number of teachers that have some experience,
however it is all international, which is not to say that it is
not good, but if you have taught in the States for any period of
time you will surely find teaching in Kuwait a piece of cake. I
encourage anyone who is interested in living overseas and in the
adventure of understanding another culture to consider Kuwait. |
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| What's
good about working and living in Kuwait? Firstly, the shopping
is incredible. Anything you could want or imagine, and even some
things you didn't know existed. The malls cater to the Kuwaitis,
and their wealth and shopping habits make Kuwait an excellent place
for getting stuff from all over the world, no matter how expensive.
(Of course you won't be able to afford much of what you'd want.)
Secondly, if you're a single dude, you should have no trouble "dating" (or
more...wink, wink) in Kuwait. The service industry brings in tens
of thousands of ex-pat women (mostly Filippinas) who don't want
anything to do with rich Kuwaiti or Arab men who'll treat them
like property regardless of the money they are willing to pay for
the company. Single Western men in Kuwait aren't flowing like the oil and expat women do appreciate that we tend to treat women with more respect and spend time with them for reasons other than just sex. American, Canadian, British guys....if you think you'll have to go celibate in Kuwait you're mistaken. Your waitress, cashier at the markets, sales clerks in the malls and stores, and more are almost all here alone and happy to get to know you. |
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22Tell
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It
was a good experience for my children. I learned what it was
like to work internationally
with others from different parts of the world. I learned what the
healing process was when a country was torn by war. I like the
concept of "wasta" when it works in my favor. The freedom
that you really do have. I loved my students. |
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I am beginning my second year
in Kuwait. I have had both good and bad experiences, but I feel
that would be on par with American statistics. I have had both
good and bad experiences there as well.
There are some very unscrupulous people in Kuwait. Some of them own schools. Most of them do not. There are also some very well-intentioned and honest, sincere people here. Some of those own schools and some do not. My new school is owned by the latter, humdilallah! For the most part, what you find at your school in Kuwait is in direct proportion to what you personally put into your work. If you come here to be catered to, turn around now and go home. This is not the place for you. Only Kuwaitis are catered to in Kuwait. But if you are here to make a difference in one or more student's lives, please stay. Kuwait needs you! This is especially true of the special needs schools. Those kids get such a lousy rap in this culture. It is not only not cool to be "handicapped" but it isn't even okay here! You'll notice there are very few wheel chair ramps at stores and shopping centers. That's mostly because people in wheel chairs (unless they are aged or temporarily hurt) are shunned, even beaten, and not allowed in schools and out in public. Even parents of other special needs students check out the classrooms to be sure their precious child is not being "held" in a room with a child in a wheel chair. If he or she is, the parent often pulls the child from the school. Some won't even enroll in the first place if they find out the school will consider taking handicapped children severe enough to require wheel chairs. This is why I am in Kuwait. I feel someone with the common sense and education to understand the needs of the handicapped and other "special" children must be here to provide the necessary services and education, because Kuwait is not doing it! But I am operating in an administrative capacity here and know first hand how difficult it has been lately to get good teachers even though I'm at a brand-new school which is one of the most state-of-the-art facilities ever built for special needs children in Kuwait. Westerners with good educations and (preferably) experience are badly needed here. On a positive note, Kuwait is somewhat fun to live in. It is a slower culture than found in America (except for the drivers). I LOVE the fact that there is no mail here because that means there is no JUNK MAIL either! I find THAT very relaxing. Because there is little to do other than eating and shopping, friendships grow here quickly. It takes no time at all to get to know people, if you have the desire. There are several western groups to join like American Women's League, British Ladies' Society, golfing clubs, scuba diving clubs, horse riding club, and many others. Be you male or female, there are many "ad hoc" groups that form from the enjoyment of similar activities: shisha groups, wine-lovers' groups (for those who make their own brew since alcohol is verbotten in Kuwait), pet lovers' groups, garden groups, music lovers' groups, soccer/football lovers' groups, etc. It is fun! Kuwait, or any country in the world,
is what YOU make it be! If you want to look at the negatives
and dwell on them, you will
be miserable. If you want to work to improve the bad things and
revel in the good ones, you will have a very rewarding experience. |
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Tell
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I
have been working in Kuwait at two different bilingual schools
for almost 1 year
now as a school counselor. Having worked in the States in this
capacity, it is a piece of cake compared to what I experienced
back home. By that I mean, in Kuwait I have been treated respectfully,
and have received support for my position in a matter when needed.
There are ups and downs, but in my experience, this is life no
matter where you are. Sometimes attitude has everything to do with
whether we feel resentful or are willing to view a difficult time
as a learning experience. I think we have the most to learn about
ourselves when challenged to the fullest.
Alice Keene,LPC |
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Tell
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This is
my second year living and teaching in Kuwait. Overall, I have found
all the people, regardless
of social standing, to be friendly and helpful. Since I am a teacher
who is already retired in the US (and therefore don't need to be
here to earn a living),I chose to come back. I have worked overseas
in other schools and have found each school and country has its
share of the wonderful and the 'frightful'. Since I am linguistically
challenged, I find being in Kuwait a much more 'user friendly'
country because I don't really need to know Arabic. (This greatly
lowers my stress level.) I enjoy the diversity of cultures present
here also. I have just started at Al-Bayan Bilingual School and
am very impressed with the quality of staff, the supportive administration,
the resources available and the dynamic educational program they
provide their students. It is important to remember that any place
you are has its share of good and evil, and each place is what
you, as and individual, make of it. I truly am enjoying working
here
and would encourage others to come and learn about and live in
a new and fascinating
culture. Susan Zapata |
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