Job Discussion Forums

LadyBrettAshley · Joined: 30 Mar 2006 Posts: 18 Location: USA

Does anyone have advice about moving a very North American family into Kuwait? My husband and I have job offers, but have not commited ourselves to the move because of the uncertainty of the quality of the lives of our children, 17 and 3. What I want to know is if my three year old will be able to go outside and play (any green areas? baseball fields, playgrounds, soccer fields...) Will my 17 year old be able to drive? (Is it safe?) What will he be giving up? I will be teaching in an American school, so I know there will be other American students that he will meet and build friendships with, but what do they do for fun? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

LadyBrett

peterpan13 · Joined: 21 Jul 2005 Posts: 64 Location: neverneverland

driving in Middle Eastern Arab countries is a hazardous affair even for an experienced driver.The transition from camel riding to car driving has been too swift seemingly without any due consideration to road rules or mutual respect for other road users.
Your 17 year old could face problems.
Please do your research before coming to Kuwait especially in areas of Arab culture otherwise you'll be in for a shock! A good start would be the Lonely Planet Guide to the Middle East or a similar publication.

tedkarma · Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2006 8:45 am Post subject:

I think the transition for a teenager would be very very difficult. These are not "open" societies where free expression and individuality are valued.

My wife and I spent five years in Saudi Arabia - and for two experienced expatriates with some time living overseas (her: two countries four years - me: three countires and six years) it was still a difficult transition.

Saudi would be a little more conservative than Kuwait - but not all that much.