You are moving Where?

In less than a month, I will be living in Kuwait.  I started researching this move several months ago when I decided to look into the possibility of teaching in an international school.  I created profiles on two websites designed to assist teachers with this task.  The first site was free and is called www.teachaway.com.  The second site www.tieonline.com required me to pay an annual subscription fee of about $40.  I began searching these websites regularly.  It was a bit exciting to think about working in Malaysia, Japan, Colombia, or the UAE.  Ultimately, I chose to focus my search on the Middle East because of the proximity to a variety of travel destinations and the great pay and benefits packages available.  Many friends, family, and curious people have questions about my decision.  Here are some common questions and responses:

1.  Kuwait, isn't it dangerous there?

Sadly, many US citizens associate Kuwait with the Gulf War in 1990.  The war is over and has been since 1991.  The Middle East as a whole gets kind of a bad wrap in our media, but I am not moving to a dangerous place.  I am much more likely to be a victim of a dangerous crime in America than in Kuwait.   Check out this interesting link for a US to Kuwait comparison https://www.ifitweremyhome.com/compare/US/KW

2. Will you be traveling with anyone you know? Do you know anyone in Kuwait?
No and No.  I have made connections with coworkers who already live and work there, but I am not moving on a "buddy system.  I used Nomadness Travel Tribe group on Facebook to connect with an expat who was happy to answer my questions about being a single woman living in Kuwait based on her own experience prior to accepting the job.

3. What will you do?

I will teach kindergarten at a private international school.  I am using my degree and certification that I gained here in the US to teach the US common core curriculum.  The setting will just be different.

4.  Do you have to wear that long dress and cover your head?

No.  Modest dress is required, but I think I can survive without my butt and boobs showing on a regular basis.

5.  Where is Kuwait?
Kuwait is bordered by Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the Persian Gulf.  Check out a map.  I had to check to make sure myself.

6.  Do you have to learn the language?
I hope to learn some Arabic.  The local languages are both Arabic and English.  English is commonly spoken there in places of business.

7.  Are you going to live in a tent in the desert?
Hah, hah and hah!  Do you know me?  I'm not living in a tent anywhere.  This is a modern society and I will live in an air conditioned apartment with internet, modern plumbing, and  a washing machine.

8.  Are you becoming a Muslim?
No.  I've spent decades trying to get this Christianity thing right.  I'm not trying to study a new religion.

9.   Why Kuwait?  Why not Europe or South America?
I think this will become more clear to me in time.  I really do feel like this was a God-lead decision.  There was no burning bush or voice from the sky (of course that's not how I generally experience God anyway), but I have felt at peace throughout this process.  The location allows me to travel extensively.  The perks of my job include tax free income and living expenses such as rent and utilities are covered by the school that I will work for.  Europe and South America didn't offer the perks and earning potential that Kuwait had to offer.

10.  Is it modern there?

Yes.  Kuwait is a modern society with a lot of wealth from the oil industry.  They have huge modern shopping malls, restaurants with familiar names, and the same techy gadgets, tablets, and phones that I am accustomed to here.  I will be able to connect with my family and friends using FB, FaceTime, Skype, and whatever other video chat options are available.

That's enough with the questions for now.   More information to come in time.  Until then, keep joining me on my journey!

a view of Kuwait