I have recently received an offer to teach English in Kuwait...

Hello,

I am replying to your comment about living in Kuwait. I am presently living there now. How is your family coming? And the culture is one of a kind especially if you have not taught in the middle east before.

Best of luck, Felicia! You’ll be fine - you are asking ALL the right questions. Suggest asking for a Nanny, housekeeper, etc. - as soon as the opportunity presents itself. Family is VERY important in that part of the world and your employers will be totally understanding of your concern for your twins. Enjoy the experience! As to local customs - too much for this space - recommend googling Kuwait - AND your local librarian will be able to help.

You’ll be fine! Its hard to say what you’ll face.......good and bad......goes with territory of an ESL Teacher Felicia! I’ve been all over the world doing this ’ESL Teacher thing’ and unexpected is part of the deal! Enjoy!!

Hi Lori, thanks for your reply. How are we coming? We are flying. I am not sure if I fully understand that question. It sounds simple but I didn’t know there was another way to get to Kuwait. I suppose one could come by sea. Maybe you are referring to our legal status? I have a work permit from a private company. Currently we are awaiting the return of our marriage license and criminal background checks from the department of state. Then we will send them to the Kuwaiti Embassy for a final stamp. Then we will fly to Kuwait.

Elaine, thanks for your reply. I have googled Kuwait but haven’t found much about local customs for the different parts...only that one should never show the bottom of their feet...and to dress modestly. I am not sure if that mean I can’t wear flip flops...err...well I just don’t know how else to avoid showing the soles of my feet. I already dress modestly as I am a mother of 6 yr old twins and would like to set an good example. I’m just afraid that what I consider modest may not be considered modest in that part of the world.

Felicia, I have no information for you but you prompted another question... Does Kuwait prefer to hire married women? Is that why you need your marriage license?

Felicia, you will have a lot on your plate with twin daughters and school. I cannot give you particulars about Kuwait, never been there. However, I can suggest some general do’s and don’ts for the mid east in general. You are going to the Gulf, the Arabs there are somewhat different than other Arabs. You will quickly learn that your thinking is somewhat different than theirs. You’ll wonder what they are thinking and why most of your first 6 months to a year being there. Your best bet is to find someone that can guide you through the hurdles that you might face, or group of people. I guess you could call them the old hands. Your adjustment to expatriate life will be much better and faster that way. Where do you find such a person? It may be a person at your school, although I would suggest someone outside of your immediate work circle, for obvious reasons. You don’t want to share confidential issues or problems with someone that might not always have your best interests at mind, or have conflict of interest issues. You might find that person through social avenues, such as hotel fitness clubs, or similar places. Or maybe a neighbor. Or a fellow teacher or admin person at another school teaching a different subject than you. If you have someone teaching English at another school, word could filter back about you. But that’s a judgment call.

As for adjusting, you will face some culture shock. There is a series about culture shock that explains many different cultures. I strongly advise you buy it for the Gulf or Kuwait, or you can’t get that, you can get a decent travel book on the region. Look for reference material about the region, books you can buy that gives you background knowledge, it does help to know what’s what. As for Kuwaiti culture, I know what you know. It’s like many Arabic cultures in that area, there are a lot of expatriates from all over, all there to do work and send money home or whatever. The locals take preference in all matters in their legal system, something you might ponder. So in a hierarchical system, you are not the top. And some there might let you know that you are not high in the pecking order. You have to make a decision how you are going to handle such an attitude, if it is presents itself. That’s where your mentor will help, explaining local rules and attitudes.

Arab cultures in this area are fairly traditional, with a patriarchy still well in place. The locals have affiliations that are strong, the bonds may or may not be deep. But they have more commitment to each other than you, as in many countries. You are both guest, and emigrant. That part of the world has a unique view of you, and there may be misunderstandings. You have to be very patient, understanding of views strongly held that may be different than yours. And since you have a small degree of influence some of the time, you can get frustrated with the way things go. My advice is to realize that the points of view you face are different than your own, you can respectfully disagree (or agree), and try to gain influence where and how you can. Understanding that you might have more influence than you first thought, and less influence in certain areas. But your coping mechanisms will be really worked. And you will have to judge where you will just go along to keep the peace, where you will compromise. In the most difficult circumstances sometimes fighting (arguing) can help you, sometimes it will be taken as an insult, attack or criticism. Your mentor can help you judge how to navigate that kind of thing.

Hi Felicia,

I have been in Kuwait 3 years. One thing you need to consider and ask questions about is your husband’s visa. Women are not allowed to sponser men.

Men and women are not allowed to show any signs of affection. That means no holding hands, hugging or kissing in public. Not sure if that is going to be a problem.

When you pick a school for your twins, make sure they have a large expat population. Friends’ kids have failed to fit in. The majority of the student at the schools I have taught at speak Arabic.

The schools I have worked at, the students tend to be a bit arrogant. These are very rich kids for the most part. Many do not feel they have to listen to you or do what you say. Be prepared for some battles. The parents mostly believe their children are angels and it must be your fault if you can’t control them.

Good Luck.

Berma, thanks for your reply...or question rather. I am not sure if they prefer to hire married women or not. But they do have a law against men and women living together and not being married. So we had to prove that we are married by providing our marriage license....and have our marriage license authenticated by the US State Department.

Susan, thank you for your reply. Wow I did not know that women could not sponsor men. The company was not clear about that. My husband will be able to get a job as a military contractor because he has already had offers from another company. I will clarify this with them though...its something I was not aware of. Thank you so much.

Felicia
I just returned from Kuwait. I was there 5 years with my children.
1) You will have to prove that you were married when you concieved your children when getting residency for them. This is done with birth cert. and marriage licence. They will not register children that were concieved or born out of wedlock.
2) You will have to have the children’s Birth Certs. also certified by the Dept. of State.
3) You will have to show full immunizations for the children.
4) The father MUST register the children. Women do not have the right to do this without attested full custody papers of the children. He will have to register them for school and the civil ID.

Hi!
I’m rather surprized no one has suggested reviewing a little about Islam before you arrive in Kuwait. While I’ve never been there, I do have classes to the Master’s level in Islam, and you might find it worthwhile.
A little information on Muhammad, Ramadan, the Hadith, Haj, and Hijrah, and well as the Qur’an
will be helpful for you.

I am 66, acquired my TEFL in March, and am unable to work abroad because of my age. I have, however, worked as a press attache for the ICRC and as International Media Liaison in East Africa, South Africa, and Europe, and currently teach on-line to Taiwan.
Good Luck. Enjoy your opportunity.

A Salaam a Leikum

I have worked in Kuwait twice and the Middle East (Saudi Arabia and the UAE) a total of eight times. None of my employers have ever worked out and I have never completed a contract. When you are in the Middle East, you are not an employee or a working professional. Your employer will look at you and treat you like a slave. The owner of your school is the king/queen and expects you to work like a cringing slave.

The money is fantastic and you are provided with a free place to live but you are not treated like a competent professional but rather window-dressing for a private employer trying to make a buck.

Hello Felicia,

I wrote earlier, the reason why I asked how your family is traveling, is because it was written before. You can not sponsor your husband, so that means he will only be here on a visit visa then 3 months he will have to leave and apply for a new visit or get a multiple entry visa. It is hard, right now, my husband is in the US, and then the Kuwait Consulate does not have to issue a visit visa for your husband.
Just becare about your contract, make sure it says everything that the school offers. I have worked at schools where the contract is not what they said it would be.

But good luck.

Cheryl thanks for your detailed reply,
These are things that I had no way of knowing. My children were born out of wedlock and do not share the same last name as my husband and I. I wonder now what this means for us. I am not willing nor am I able to leave my children behind here in the states. I will go once again to my employer for help in answering these issues. I knew about the immunization and needing the birth certificates. But I did not know it was to validate my children to my husband.

Keith, thank you for your input. I do know a little about Islam. Not nearly was well versed as you are, but I have ventured to try and learn more through my own endeavors and through conversing with friends. None of them have shared with me the laws of Muslim nations though. All of my friends who are Muslim are from The Gambia West Africa. The job offer came quickly and I was the one with all of the questions. Each time though they have been very helpful answering....but I am finding now that they only provide answers to the specific questions I ask. I am learning more through this experience and to ask all the right questions. This forum and the knowledge of its participants has truly opened a world of questions that I did not know to ask.

Thanks Lori! I am really getting an "eye opener" with this whole discussion I’m glad I posed the question. ThAnks again for your input.

John, first I’m sorry that you’ve had such negative experiences. One of the main reasons I posed a few questions was to gain insight from the experiences of others. So your input is valued. I will keep it in mind during the times when I need to be reminded to stay motivated to see the good in each situation and remain culturally sensitive to all of the coming changes to which my family will adapt. I hope that things start looking up for you in your TEFL career.

I worked in Taiwan and some of the private schools are much as John described... generally one had to be very careful and ... unfortunately... some are very unethical. I never got paid for my last month of employment. Felicia... good luck. I hope you report back!! And that you end up having a great adventure.

Ho, Felicia! As it so happens, a dear, dear friend of mine is living and working there now - her name is Susan Fitch, and i believe she also has a profile here on ST. She definitely has a FB page, and would be more than happy to help/answer questions - she came as a single female, who previously worked in South Korea, and is a big global traveler and life-long teacher.

Wishing you & your family all the best on the transit!

Regards from Brunei,

Glen

Glen, thank you for your reply. Thank you for the well wishes also. This process can be daunting but I am looking forward to the best happening for us. I will try my best to look Susan up. She sounds like a woman after my own heart. I consider myself fortunate to have a spouse who shares that very goal. He has travelled much more than me. But I look forward to adding to the list of five countries I have visited. I have joined an Expat Moms in Kuwait group on Yahoo. Maybe she will be there or someone will know of her...who knows. In any case thanks a bunch!

I just want to add that I believe that in Kuwait, they also do not allow foreign men to sponsor their wives as well. Someone I knew was about to go to Kuwait for employment when they informed him that they do not allow spouse sponsorship, he ended up declining the offer.
This was a back in 2001, I think nothing has changed!

Hey Felicia, I have to admit, am jealous sista..lol , I hope I get a job offer soon in my country of choice, it looks like everyone pretty much covered all aspects and then some! All I can say is to go with an open mind and heart, try to stay true to yourself and display confidence and grace. Express your expectations right for the get-go to your employers the same way they do, tell them that you expect the same treatment they expect from you! Set the boundaries early with everyone you work with.
Have fun and enjoy the ride!

@ Keith, impressive! great reply!

Nasra, hi. Thank you for your reply. I am not too concerned about my husband sponsoring me as I already have my work permit. And he has offers from three companies to work. So we will both be legal to work and live. I have learn much about living in Kuwait from various forums and just Googling on the internet. I think we will do great. I am expecting good things to happen with the company I will be working for. We are all excited about this move. Out of curiosity...what is your country of choice? I have had offers from several companies.After I tell them I have accepted my offer of choice they always tell me to spread the word to teachers who are still looking for positions. I would love to help anyway I can.

Hey Felicia, thanks! my countries of choice include KSA, UAE, Qatar, these are the main ones.
Kuwait Not included for sure. Please note that my speciality and expertise is in special education. I am a Special Needs Resource teacher and Consultant! So, perhaps my role is very different from the regular class teachers in this forum such as yourself!

Nasra,
I have seen positions for special needs teachers...but they have all been in Kuwait. Sorry. I wish you luck on your search. You might try agencies...like Dynamic Personnel. They can look specifically for the area in which you wish to teach. Hope this helps. Hope you find what you seek.
Ciao

Hi Felicia,

I wanted to encourage you. I am currently a teacher in Kuwait. I teach in Salmiya and I am American. My situation is different as my children are grown and living in the US. I came to Kuwait last year and my experience was so good that I decided to stay. Hawally is the next area over from Salmiya so I am very aware of where you will be. It is crowded and very busy, there is a lot going on there. Salmiya is the restaurants and we have a lot of shopping but Hawally is only 5 minutes away. Kuwait is a very small country, about the size of Rhode Island and most cities are along the coast.
The culture shock will be the cost of living. Everything almost is imported so the prices are not cheap. You can find most anything you need though. I would advise you to bring your over the counter medicines with you as they are not the same as what you will find here. No tylenol, advil, aleeve we only have panadol. So what you use as a family bring with you. The kids will be thrilled with the variety of American fast foods. We have almost all from the states and they deliver here, no wendy’s. If your building is near a mosque you will hear adhan very early in the morning, before daybreak. I use this to get up and call the states as when I am getting up my kids are getting ready for bed. It is cold here in the winter and there is no heat in any building I have been in, so pack warm clothes, too. But winter here is short and we all have space heaters.
Kuwait is what you want to get out of it. I personally like teaching here and really enjoy the multicultural staff and now family I have found here. Best wishes and if you need any more information please feel free to contact me, I can’t put email here so I will say I am on facebook.

Mary Kate thank you for your reply. I really appreciate it. This journey to get to Kuwait is one that really tests my ability to be patient and think positively. But I feel like I am doing ok. My husband is great and very supportive. He’s retired military and has more patience than I do. *smile
We are currently still waiting on documents from the state dept. After reading your reply I think we will find room for one more bag since we are not over our limit and pack some medicines and household things. We only packed clothes, the printer, the laminator and classroom supplies that I felt like I couldn’t do without. Lol. Thanks again for your post. Oh and I do not have facebook. But I am on linkedin.

@Felicia, thank you for starting this thread. I have been looking at jobs recently for elementary education in Kuwait. I had a phone interview and am waiting to hear back from the school. Hopefully, everything will work out wonderfully for you. @Mary Kate, I tried to find you on facebook, as well as the other person listed. and had no luck. I would really like to hear from people in this area. The school I interviewed for was also located in Salmiya.

Felicia please don’t take offense to this, but really your full family to the middle east right now. especially your children. You will be treated like crap your kids will not like it and you will be stuck in a contract that most middle east countries hold your Pass port as they will give you an Iquama. Then don’t let you leave early if it does not work out until you pay your complete costs they feel they had to pay for you to come over before they will return passports. I don’t believe there are any compounds for living in Kuwait plenty in Saudi but wow your whole family to the middle east now. Go home look at your kids and ask yourself is the money they’re offing you worth it. Go to Asia show them real culture and safe places. Please I’ve been there and the middle east while exotic is not worth it. maybe several years ago but now it’s getting more and more dangerous. I get 7 to 10 offers a day for the middle east offering me thousands of dollars to teach. Before it was English now they want math and physics well screw that. I will never go back. Good luck to you and your family.