Job Discussion Forums

[sunshine.ca]

I am interested in teaching in Kuwait. I taught in Oman for 3 years and know Muscat (and the rest of the country) well. I would like to know the differences and similarities between Kuwait City and Muscat especially concerning 1) size (Muscat is very spread out and you need a car to go anywhere), 2) places to socialize (coffee shops etc), 3) shops especially for books and groceries 4) opportunities to play tennis (only in hotels? how much?). My main interest here is to know how Muscat and Kuwait differ. Thanks!
I am both an esl and secondary English teacher and while i know this is an esl board if anyone has information on international schools in Kuwait - other than what's on the web - I'd be interested. I haven't found a forum for discussion of international schools (that's free) and find it hard to get information.

[veiledsentiments]

We have lots of discussion of the international schools here and quite a few teachers who teach things other than EFL. I have lived in both cities and I have to say that the difference between them is large... and Muscat wins IMHO. I will state from the start that I didn't like Kuwait at all, and I loved both my stints in Oman.

1. Kuwait is almost as spread out as Muscat and outside the metro area... there is nothing in Kuwait but featureless desert... more like the unattractive drive between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. So, you still need a car. And if you think the traffic is dangerous in Muscat, multiply by about 5 or more and that is traffic in Kuwait. In Kuwait, no weekend trips out to the mountains or a nice beach with unpolluted water. Even though after 3 years in Muscat, you may have visited most of the places that interest you, in Kuwait, you have little option but the unattractive city itself. Kuwait City looks more like Cairo than it does Muscat... the Emir is not as concerned about neatness as the Sultan.

2. There may be a few more coffee shops in Kuwait, but I never counted. But it is the usual international chain places that you see all up and down the Gulf. People join clubs and/or hotels for socializing and sport. I was into neither, so I couldn't compare costs. I doubt it is that much different.

3. Shopping in similar. The supermarkets in Kuwait leaned more towards American products, while Oman leans more towards British/European. Books are similarly overpriced. One thing that I missed in Kuwait that Muscat had was the wonderful used book store that was in Qurm. (I have never heard if it survived the cyclone.)

To me a major difference was the bureaucracy. Kuwait has one of, if not the worst, bureaucracy in the Gulf. They are rude, unpleasant, inefficient, and will make the Oman bureaucracy - for all its shortcomings - look like saints practicing the pinnacle of efficiency. Getting anything done will take a visit to 3 or 4 places... all on opposite sides of the sprawled city... for a stamp from someone while will tell you to come back tomorrow rather than lean down and open his drawer.

And as to the nationals of each country, even the Kuwaitis complain about their fellow Kuwaitis. While Omanis are, in general, polite and respectful to all, Kuwaitis are, in general... not. They are a strikingly different culture. The Kuwaitis you meet socially are nice, but those in the government or on the streets can be a problem.

The weather is slightly different in that Kuwait gets hotter in the summer and colder in the winter. It is the only Gulf country I lived in that the flats have a heating system and you do use it in the winter at night. But, it is less humid because the prevailing winds come from the desert, not the Gulf.

Seriously speaking the only reason to move from Muscat to Kuwait would be because of a much better job opportunity with significantly more money.

VS

[mishmumkin]

[veiledsentiments]

I heard that too, so choice will be much better. But I suspect that it is still outrageously expensive. That is why I liked the used book store.

VS

[mishmumkin]

[grab-bag]

Kuwait City is an expanding city. There are a lot of things to do. Shopping is the main pastime for most people and some shops are worldclass. Lots of cafes, restaurants and places to hang out. There is a reasonable amount of cultural activity thanks to the hotels who often sponsor musical and theatrical events as well as the embassies. The main problem is the traffic - the city has become so spread out that it takes ages to get anywhere - but that's the same problem in Muscat.

Kuwaitis are more sophisticated and wordly than Omanis and sometimes much more arrogant. But then again, they are ready to talk to you and discuss issues with you that the unwordly Omanis have no clue about.
The Kuwait Corniche is probably the best in the Gulf but getting shoddy with all the trash people leave behind. No shortage of things to do - just not enough time to do them.

[bookie]

[quote="mishmumkin"][quote]Books are similarly overpriced. One thing that I missed in Kuwait that Muscat had was the wonderful used book store that was in Qurm. (I have never heard if it survived the cyclone.)[/quote]

I've heard Borders has opened in Muscat![/quote]

The House of Prose secondhand bookshop wasn't affected by the cyclone and is still running as normal in the Al Wadi Centre in Qrum.

[veiledsentiments]

That is good news. That would have been a lot of soggy books if his windows had broken. I suspect he was lucky to be on that side of the building... I presume that the winds came from the sea and the windows are sort of in a protected corner.

VS

[The_Hanged_Man]

Great post by VS above and I agree with what she has to say. I have never been to Oman but am wrapping up my contract here in Kuwait at an international school. Keep in mind that Kuwait deservedly has one of the worst reputations in the Gulf in terms of international schools. There are probably 20+ so-called American or English schools at Kuwait but only 3-5 of them are even worth considering. Check out this forum for some of the horror stories. http://www.tes.co.uk/section/staffroom/list_threads.aspx?path=/teaching+overseas/

Was I glad I came to Kuwait? Yes. It was a good professional stepping stone where I learned a lot and was enabled to land a position at a good school in East Asia. I met some good friends and many professional contacts. It is generally a pleasant and easy place to live.

Would I ever go back? Not a chance in hell. I would go back to public school in the US teaching before I would ever go back to Kuwait. Most of the reasons VS already listed in her post. But in addition you have to realize that Kuwait is mind numbingly boring for singles, and especially for men. Unless you like shopping at malls Kuwait is a make-your-own-fun kind of place. Kuwait life and culture is centered around the family, and if you are single your social options are quite limited. I'd guess that around 80% of singles do not bother to extend their contracts and leave after two years. Now for a family with small children I can see why Kuwait could be appealing, as it very safe with good health care with lots of family oriented businesses. In fact, I would say that most young families at my school stay at least for 3 years, and up to 4 or 5 in some cases.

That said I don't think Kuwait is necessarily a bad place to live. Most people agree that it beats teaching in the US/UK. However, as an experienced international school teacher you have so many other better options even in the Gulf. Like VS said unless you are offered your dream position for big bucks, I would consider other options first.

[pat blake]

There is now a used bookstore in Kuwait. Also, lots of people read and swap. You don't really need a car in Kuwait--if you are willing to take a taxi or the bus. It depends on how much you like to go. For singles under forty-five or so, I would say a year or two would be enough for most people unless you meet the right people or you are sort of an introvert or just like to hang out at the mall or coffee shops. Still, for the right job, one where you have three months off every summer, some people will put up with a lot of boredom!