I moved to Kuwait in August 2014 after deciding that I wanted to travel and experience the world as well as teach abroad. Fast forward to May 2015, with 3 weeks to go before I return to the UK for the summer I wanted to summarise my first year of living abroad.
So has moving to the Middle East lived up to my expectations?
Well, I will start with the positives.
+ Kuwait offers a very relaxed and laid back lifestyle which I enjoy in comparison to London
+ The opportunity to meet people/colleagues from a range of countries and backgrounds.
+ An excellent hub to travel to a range of destinations
+ Lots of free time to take up hobbies, travel, alternative interests.
+ Weather ( come on 2 months of Winter suits me just fine :p )
Then there are the negatives...
- The quality of education in schools is questionable as lots of schools employ unqualified 'teachers' including the top schools!
- Some expats can have negative attitudes towards the Arabs here which annoys me ( you chose to come here so be respectful of other cultures and people!)
- Kuwaitis can come across as quite a closed off community but once you get talking to them they are fine ( well the ones I have spoken too!)
- If you don't have a circle of friends, life here can be pretty boring.
- Again in comparison to London, there isn't a lot to do here hence why I travel pretty much in my school vacations.
- It's normal to see workers/maids be exploited by some Kuwaitis and even expats ( something I have found very hard to comprehend)
Overall, I am glad that I made the choice to leave the UK as I now have a work/life balance here which is something that I appreciate greatly. I have also been able to travel around the Middle East and enjoy experiencing a range of Arab cultures which I love! I love the food, music and best of all the hospitality of the people. However I do miss teaching in the UK, there are more expectations and challenges there and above all more structure and organisation.
Would I recommend it to expats?
Everyone has come here for different reasons, but if you enjoy Middle Eastern culture and have travelled before then yes I would say living here is not so bad or elsewhere in the Middle East. In terms of teaching it is a tricky one, because it can go against what you have been taught in teacher training and also against ethics and values. Again that is something I have found challenging as I am here primarily for the children. But if that doesn't bother you then, go for it.
I wouldn't advise someone to come here especially if you are younger and have not travelled as I have noticed that they complain a lot and have found it hard to settle and integrate here and as a result some have done a 'runner' from their job.
Would I recommend it to expats?
Everyone has come here for different reasons, but if you enjoy Middle Eastern culture and have travelled before then yes I would say living here is not so bad or elsewhere in the Middle East. In terms of teaching it is a tricky one, because it can go against what you have been taught in teacher training and also against ethics and values. Again that is something I have found challenging as I am here primarily for the children. But if that doesn't bother you then, go for it.
I wouldn't advise someone to come here especially if you are younger and have not travelled as I have noticed that they complain a lot and have found it hard to settle and integrate here and as a result some have done a 'runner' from their job.
At the moment it is Assessment Week at school and then I am pretty certain that most of the kids will leave after then which is fine with me :P All I am doing at the moment is counting down until I am back in the UK. I can't wait to see my family and catch up with my friends :)
Love & Blessings,
Sara xx
No comments