Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know I wasn't allowed an opinion.

Really Miski, why does the Katherine Phillips ordeal bother you so much? It's not the first time the Kuwait goverment handled something poorly and it surely won't be the last. Does your goverment really define you? Try being from the US, with Baba George in charge. Sometimes I feel the need to go around apologizing for his stupidity. My goverment does not define me, yours shouldn't define you.

Critical Thinker, blah, blah, blah, I know who I am too. Kelly Boone, no big secret since my user name is "Da3boyzs." I guess the real question would be, who are you???? Believe me I'll loose no sleep over it either. I have a suspicion though, but feel Jeffodarabia is way off or is he????

I never heard of any teachers being arrested for drugs or showing inappropriate movies. When was this and did it make the Arab Times? Also Meinq8 you have mentioned procedures set by the Ministry of Education. I worked in the educational setting for 13 years in Kuwait and honestly, I was never shown any guidelines or procedures set by the Ministry of Education. I was surprised when you mentioned this. Could it be that Katherine Phillips did not know about this. Is that her fault or the schools? How do you know that the "suggestion of boycotting" teaching contracts in Kuwait came from Katherine Phillips? From everything I read I feel it came from ISR.

Iworked at ASK & AIS I found the parents at both of these schools to be supportive also. The only shortcomings are with the administration and owners of the schools.

Actually it has nothing to do with the type of health care offered in Kuwait, which I feel is adequate. The owner of the school mislead teachers by allowing them to believe they had health insurance with a company when infact there was no health insurance to speak of. He didn't charge overseas hired teachers for this nonservice but did charge local hire teachers for this nonservice.

I would like to tell you about the insurance issues at AIS but not on this thread. Please send me your e-mail.

Hey Jeff, I know who you are talking about, hehe.

I thought this thread was supposed to be about Katherine Phillips. Thank God she is out of Kuwait but unfortunately she lost her position.

I was wondering how this thread became about alcohol. By the way anyone who assumes that Kuwaities do not have access to drugs or alcohol is living in a dream world. I have been to many parties in my 13 years of living in Kuwait. These parties thrown by well established Kuwaities have had alcohol, and a lot of it. I was shocked and disappointed. Not only that, what about the parties that have drugs and alcohol, hum Kuwait isn't any different than any other place.

It is unfortunate that either one of you would be passed up for a job or promotion because you wear a hijab that should not matter. However, this is not the forum to discuss alcohol or hijabs.

When I wrote "If you were in America you would not be held or have a travel ban put on you. You would follow due process with your county school system. That school system would decide whether or not the teacher acted in an incorrect manner, not the PARENT. " I was referring to a situation at school not a visa problem. Do I feel that Katherine Phillips is in danger? "No" but I do feel it is unfair. I also understand the cultural sensitivity in Kuwait and do not have a problem with Kuwait or its culture. However, I do understand how things are run in Kuwait. Some people come to Kuwait and think that the rules in the states apply in the same type of fairness. Let's face it they don't and maybe if you went Kuwaitie you would understand that. I am an honest, loyal and ethical person but have said and still believe when in Kuwait walk softly and carry a large BAT!!!!!

Ok this is for Minski. To begin with it is wrong to hold Katherine Phillips period! If you were in America you would not be held or have a travel ban put on you. You would follow due process with your county school system. That school system would decide whether or not the teacher acted in an incorrect manner, not the PARENT.

I lived in Kuwait for 15 years and my family and I loved the wild, wild east. That is exactly what it is. Democracy is not for everyone only for 1st degree Kuwaities. You need to get off the cross Minski, your views are very arrogant and I'm a person who can speak of first hand experiences of the short comings of Kuwait. Yes the US has its many, many problems but don't make it sound like Kuwait doesn't. May I remind you that your young teens are sexually confused because of the oppressed ways. Proof go to facebook, or my space,I have seen my former students pages. Your young are confused and yes so are American teens in some way but we don't hide it, it's out there for every one to see. We don't send our pregnant teens to Cyprus for abortions. My husband has work with many people who have lost there sons to heroin. Oh yeah, let's remember I have never seen such a drug problem as in Kuwait. So get off your high horse.

I lived in Kuwait for many years and really liked it there. UAS just moved to a new campus and it is supposed to be state of the art. Most kids that go to UAS are ESL students but most of your students in the international setting are. As far as your housing I don't know. I do know that some things are cheaper in Kuwait than the U.S. and some things are more expensive. It depends on you. How high maintenance of a person are you. Of course travel to other ME and Far East countries is more affordable. Many teachers get a pretty penny for tutoring in Kuwait also.

Wow, I haven't read this section in a while. I do not have a hidden agenda. I worked very hard for AIS and I realize anyone can be replace regardless of how good you are. Unfortunately, my sense of loyalty was stronger than the OWNERS of AIS. When that occurs it hard feelings usually occur. I wish only the best of luck to that school and hope it succeeds.

I have worked at AIS for many years. I found that the MAIN problem and I mean MAIN problem are the owners. The administrators and other teachers were great. Of course their will be people who don't carry their weight but isn't that true about any place??? The owners are corrupt especially Badri. What he did last year regarding health insurance was unethical. How does one read between the lines when your referring to a problem like that?

Tom or Anybody,
I would steer clear of this school for a couple of years. It will take that long or longer for the admin to heal the wounds the owners have afflicted on teachers. I believe everything cycles around and this school will to. Right now many teachers have a bad taste in their mouths due to the owners not the admin, parents, students, or others teachers. Matter of fact it was a great teaching experience for me, one I will never forget and always cheerish. Unfortunately, the owners are corrupt, unethical, and they lie. It is a for profit school so the admin fluctuates between a postion or a title that they hold. Just remember this, your level of commitment can not be more than the owners level of commitment to you. If this happens it creates resentment. What does that mean? AISK!