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[Philip Hammond]

I was interviewed for a teaching position at Kuwait university and I got the job beginning February 11, 2006. I heard that it is a nice modern country compared to other gulf countries. Any other inside information will be appreciated.

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[boom]

good luck with that....

[???]

If your hair isnt black I might consider dying it.  And get a good tan, seriously.  Blend in as much as possible...

[Nona1]

it's wonderful, safe, and wealthy.  What will you teach and for how long of a contract?  Do you have knowledge of Islamic customs?

[kca]

Just as long as you're not Palestinian...  I'd also have to wonder about going there as a Jew.

[Returning to teaching]

I am trying to return to teaching after 18 years of owning my exporting company.  I began by exporting to Kuwait.  I never made it to Kuwait--I was scheduled to visit one month after the first Gulf War broke out.  We had to shift our market and focus on Saudi Arabia and Africa.  I have been to Lebanon and Turkey.

I am a woman who worked in a very male-dominated business even in the US (cars), so I had a different experience than you will have as a male.  However, I would be prepared for an arrogance you will wonder about and a curiosity about your life that is difficult for them to express.  There is a public Kuwait and a private Kuwait.  You will find glaring differences  between the two.  Dare I say it, hypocritical beyond belief.

My partner grew up in Kuwait.  From what I have heard and witnessed over the years in visitors, there are haves and have-nots.  Though in the Gulf there is a growing Middle Class.  You will find the class differences striking and often drawn along ethnic lines.

Be careful about the opinions you express and follow your grandmother's advice.  Don't discuss politics, religion, or sex.

Most behavior is driven by the cultural characteristic of being very polite and generous hosts.  However, once you walk out of the door, you may be surprised by the impolite and not so generous comments made about you in your absence.  Directness is not a part of the cultural make-up.  

Let me add, however, that once you are accepted and once you are considered a friend, I have never experienced such loyalty and true generosity.  But directness is still difficult.

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[steph m]

although i have never taught in kuwait, i was a student out there from the age of about 4 to 11.  i went to the english school which was a mainly british school and it was awesome.  my mother is a teacher out there, at schools that are mainly arabs, and i have helped her teach her students.  although they can be difficult, especially the boys, in general they are lovely and usually very keen to work.  it can also be so rewarding to see the kids achieve something, i think more so than it would be in uk as for these kids english is there second language.  from going out there at xmas to help my mum teach i am now definitely considering doing a TEFL course, finishing my degree then going out there to teach.  as a kid out there it was awesome......as an adult, well the 'lack' of alcohol(well publicly anyway) can be a bit annoying.  anyway, hope u love it out there!