I pretty much grew up in kuwait and stayed there till i got married and move out to UAE.
Kuwait is a family place. You would definitely have more time for family and life is slow paced. If you manage to have a circle of friends, there are many options for family outings but most are restricted to indoors only due to extreme and long summer of kuwait.
As a female, i found life very restricted there unless you are working full time. A stay at home mom is not able to get a license easily unless she is a local or with contacts. So you are pretty much stuck at home until your husband gets home at evening. As far as dressing is concerned you would have to dress pretty much the same way as you did in Bahrain and also expect a bit of staring depending on which area you live in.
Salmiya, kuwait city and all those business areas are much more modern than fahaheel and mangaf etc.
For me worst part of kuwait was their locals.. they have this 'i am the boss' and demeaning attitude towards most, if not all, expats. does not make things fun.
Best advice, steer clear of kuwaitis, do not expect to be treated equally and fairly and stick with your own ppl ..you would be just fine.
Hi Jess! Hope your planned move is going well! I have been here since September and we're all enjoying it so far! I have 2 kids 3 and 6, who go to TES and absolutely love it there! Its a very friendly school with a definite family atmosphere. I have a friend who's daughter is at BSK and they recommend that highly too but find that the proportion of foreign children is quite high - I don't know if that makes a difference to you?
As for family life, there are many parks and outdoor activities here and now that the weather has cooled off, we are starting to visit some of them! Have a look here for more info:- http://www.kuwaitmomsguide.com/parks--playgrounds.html
With regards to life as a woman, it is definitely not the same as the UK and I do find myself dressing more conservatively, but I think that is just down to how I am reacting to the more modest dress code here. I have not been made to feel uncomfortable or that people are staring at me in any way - I think you are just more aware of clothes because of how the locals dress and their religious beliefs. So far life here is good and I'm sure you and your family will enjoy it! Good luck! Lisa x
Hello,
I am currently teaching Chemistry and Science(secondary) in the UK but have taught in Bahrain (St Christopher's School)5 years ago for 2 years and loved it.
My partner has just got a job working in the UK for a company based in Kuwait. We are coming out on the week beginning 26th Oct and I want to look at potential schools I could work at and also nurseries for our son (17 months). I know someone who used to work at KES, so that is on my list but any advice or recommendations on any other schools? (I have taught A level and IB before in highly academic but also well-rounded schools).
I would also, if I have time, like to look at nurseries; I have seen Twinkle Stars and like the look of the website but would def like any advice on this as it is such an important decision.
Final question is based on life here as a family. We are making the move in order to have more family time and a better quality of life but am hoping for more greenery and outdoor life/wildlife than there was in Bahrain no real difference in landscape. How is life as a woman? Do you feel under scrutiny all the time? I felt a little like this in Bahrain and I dressed modestly and behaved appropriately but still felt less free than I did in the UK.
Thank you for listening to my ramble! If you made it this far-well done!! Any advice would be much appreciated... A big move like this seems so much more scarier the second time round and with a toddler in tow!
Jess
<em>edited by jesscat1981 on 15/10/2013</em>
