Job Discussion Forums

[dccitygal]

Hi All,

I'm new to this site, and will be new to Kuwait in 2 months! I've been reading through all the Kuwait postings and it's been incredibly helpful. I will be working at AUK, and am trying to find out any logistical information you might have. Has anyone lived in the university-provided housing? Any advice on what to pack...specifically clothing, household items, etc?

Thanks!!!
dccitygal

[veiledsentiments]

I assume that you are American? Have you ever lived overseas before? When I went to Kuwait I brought my clothes/shoes, my favorite teaching materials, my favorite little kitchen utensils, my pillow, and a set of good knit sheets - king size so that fit any size bed.

Most things can be found in Kuwait with little problem - the shopping is good. Don't take any 110 small appliances (unless dual voltage). Within walking distance - when it is cool enough - are supermarkets and shopping centers.

The university is in a good area with plenty of nice apt buildings surrounding it. My friends there took an allowance and found their own flats.

I hope that helps, but you may want to ask more specific questions.

VS

[15yearsinQ8]

you'll easily exceed your checked and caryy on limit with the bare essentials for kuwait
everything can be bought here but pack
patince - 2 extra helpings to be sure
sufficient bullsht retardent
a tongue clamp to prevent from speaking out about EVERYTHING
a blind eye - with extra
ear plugs

hhhmmm come to think of it, ear plugs are widely available so pack another can of bullsht retardent

[dccitygal]

Thanks for the reply! Yes, I'm American. I've spent over half of my life living overseas, but haven't lived in the Middle East since I was a kid...and never been to Kuwait. I'm a single female, so I'm wondering what kind of clothes to bring over. I know that Kuwait tends to be fairly open, and that as an American woman I don't need to fully cover up. But I do want to be respectful of the culture. Any ideas on what kind of clothes would be suitable in a university setting (working as staff not faculty)? I'm wondering how dressy they get (should I bring pant suits? or casual slacks?). Also, I've read that it's advisable to get longer sleeved long tunic shirts. What do you think?

I assume I'll be getting some moving allowance (still negotiating contract). So do you recommend doing household shopping in the states and shipping it over (I know you mentioned sheets...what about comforters, pillow cases, kitchen utensils, etc)? I'm not much into cooking, so don't necessarily have a stock of kitchen stuff in the states

Oh, and my last question for now is about books. Can you get a wide variety of english language books in Kuwait? I'm a big reader and have tons of books in the states, but can't afford to ship them all over. I would want to have access to novels, as well as resources for my work (career counseling). Do you think it's worth investing in a pile of books here and shipping them over?

Thanks again for your help!! I keep thinking that there are probably tons of things I'm forgetting to ask...so if anything else comes to mind, feel free to share! Anything you wish you had known before moving to Kuwait??

AK

[veiledsentiments]

Let me see if my acquaintance there has time to answer my email or visit here and get more specifics.

But generally speaking, I would dress modestly - skirts below the knees - no bare shoulders - sleeves to elbows - nothing skin tight. (although you will have a few students who will break all those rules ) I always felt more comfortable avoiding being a 'trend-setter.'

Books have always been an issue in the Gulf. There are book stores but the prices tend to be very high and I was never thrilled with the inventory. I understand that many get books through Amazon now in the Gulf, you might want to check their website on the shipping costs and hopefully someone will come on and tell us whether you get delivery in Kuwait with no problem. Many universities end up with an informal book exchange system and perhaps AUK has one... I will try to find out. I always brought back a few each summer to add to the 'library.'

If you are in TEFL, I wouldn't count on a shipping allowance or it will be small - if you are a professor, you likely get one. The reason that I took my pillow and knit sheets is because the specific ones that I prefer are not available outside of the US. Everything else I bought once I got there. I am a lousy unenthusiastic cook, so I just brought the small stuff that made that job easier - it all fit in a rubbermaid cakepan... not pots and pans and things that are easily available there. (There is an IKEA and Ace Hardware... and other cheaper options)

VS

[dccitygal]

Thanks VS for your reply! This is really helpful. Good to know about the book situation. I have a couple more questions, but if you're tired of posting then feel free to ignore Do most expats buy a used car? I'm pretty sure that transportation costs are not included in the offer, and they said that most people either just use cabs or rent a car. But both those options seem like they would get pricey over a couple year span. I've also had people tell me that I absolutely need a car over there. What are your thoughts? I'd much rather not have to deal with buying a car (and I've heard driving can be a bit scary).

Also, I'm wondering about the workout options over there. I've heard that many expats get a healthclub membership if their living situation does not provide a gym. Is that a pretty feasible option economically for someone living on a university staff salary? Do any expats just go jogging, or would that be really strange/immodest for a woman in the Kuwaiti culture?

Thanks again for all your advice!

AK

[veiledsentiments]

Hey dccitygal,

I have a response from someone at AUK:

"AUK has leased an entire building in Maidan Hawalli and she is going to have to live in that building. It's actually a really nice building and it's almost completely furnished (they leave one room empty so people can store things or decorate as they wish). People moving into this building will not get a furniture allowance.

Some of this year's new faculty who live in that building avail themselves of the shuttle that the university provides to take them to and from work every day. It's like twice a day in each direction. Maidan Hawalli is a nice area but very residential. It's not walking distance to anything. She's probably going to need a car. The rental prices have gone way up since I came. There are a few rental agencies that will still rent out a tiny little Peugeot for under 100KD a month.

There are services through Aramex or the new one called UShop We Ship which will set her up with a mailing address in the States and ship anything she orders to her on a bi-weekly or monthly basis. I use UShop We Ship and am very happy with it. It's still pricey to have things shipped but it's a lot less than ordering things from the individual vendors and having everything shipped one at a time.

If she's going to be working in Student Success, she's in for a treat. It's a really great group of people. They do good work and they're really nice too."


As to the purchase of a car, you may want to wait and see... perhaps rent or lease for a few months, and then decide. You may find the traffic too intimidating, but really it is only marginally worse than the Capital Beltway. Personally I always bought a new car in each country because I didn't want to deal with repairs and garages. (note: be sure that your US driver's license is current and has at least the two years to run... and if you can, get a no-claims letter from your US insurance company. That will save you money on insurance if you decide to buy)

There are health clubs, and yoga, and I saw women - both expats and local women - jogging on the beach in Salmiya near the campus - although they wore baggy track suits with long pants and jackets. Personally I walked the beach every evening... during the months when I was certain that I wouldn't melt.

VS

[15yearsinQ8]

i respectfully disagree about comforters, sheets and pots/pans
heavy blankets are cheaper than the usa - sears a to z true value if you absolutely NEED an american styled store
prices are so cheap american ship many home this time of year
pots? please! are a chef or something? they DO have pans here
www.q8books.com = kuwait's best kept secret about good books - buy, sell trade WELL BELOW amazon and virgin prices

and pack 'wasta' someday you'll need it

[miski]

There is nothing you can't get here that you can get in the US except pork and booze..............
- all the styles of clothes you want
-comforters and blankets and pillows galore in the souk ( take a trip to Fahaheel Bazaar or the city )
- pots and pans , dishes glasses, plates etc again take a trip to the souk or go to SANA ( one in Salmiya )

You do not need to bring ANYTHING with you except your clothes and faves- what you will spend on packing excess you can spend on buying new here.

Re car- I think you can rent big for about 120KD ( 360$ ) or smaller for about 75KD.
Taxis are too expensive .
Do NOT take the bus- sorry it is a snobby western thing,I know, but take it from me, I have been here nearly 20 years and western women who take the bus are regarded as very strange. ( Also, buses= smelly )

Maiden Hawalli to live ? not very scenic, not very lively. Take a rent allowance and find somewhere a long the gulf road a little- you can get a 2 bedroom for 300KD a month ( I know a place on Gulf road, 2 bedroom, swimming pool and gym for 320kd a month furnished )

AUK is in a nice area, near the Sultan Center = good shopping, near the sea front = good walking, near Marina Mall= good shopping and good sheesha.

Good grief- you might enjoy it!

Throw yourself into the culture of things, take the rough with the smooth, turn a blind eye at all the ridiculous red tape you have to cut through, do not fear the driving- empower yourself, find yourself a Kuwaiti Beau and stay.......

Only when we inter marry with the culture will we change it...................lol

[veiledsentiments]

Ah Ha!! So... you are infiltrating, eh Miski?

Since our OP is staff and not faculty, I suspect that she may not have the option of opting out of the provided housing - at least not immediately. The location is not the greatest, but my friend says it is a nice building and they are provided transport to and from work each day. Could be much worse!!

My friend also told me that the price for car leasing has gone up so much lately that many teachers are buying instead once they plan to stay.

VS

[miski]

[15yearsinQ8]

denalli, miski?
i pictured you in a cayenne.....

[miski]

[dccitygal]

Hi Everyone!

Wow, I just logged on and saw all the responses! I had been checking my private eslcafe email account, but didn't realize people were posting back to my original questions! I'm going to blame this on all the stress from trying to move and finish up my job here. I'm usually a bit brighter than that. In any case, thanks to all! Your responses have been very helpful, especially the details about where I'm going to live! You're right that I am staff (Student Success Center) and very excited! The team seems amazing! I think I will definitely go with the housing provided at the start, and perhaps in the future move to a different place. I really like the idea of having a place already provided and not needing to go apartment hunting when I'm trying to acclimate to everything else. And I think living in the provided housing would be nice because I would be living near some of the other staff/faculty. Your advice on transportation is very helpful...I need to figure out the best car option. I'm selling my car on this side of the ocean, but using the $ to make a big interest payment on school loans (I have a lot of loans)...so I won't be bringing $ for a downpayment. I might just take advantage of the shuttle and the occasional cab for my first couple of months, then once I get my civil ID either rent or buy.

Any more specific ideas from anyone on clothing?? Keep in mind that I've been a student for the past couple of years, so I probably need an entirely new wardrobe. Any must-have items I should pick up? I know I can find almost anything over there, but would like to at least come with a basic wardrobe.

Oh, and thanks for the recommendation to just buy everything there. I'm assuming my "shipping allowance" is mine to use whether i use it for shipping or just to buy soft goods once I'm there?? I'm thinking of just bringing clothing, books, and a few other items. And then doing the majority of my household shopping once i arrive.

Ok, thanks again everyone!

Maybe I'll see some of you around after I get over there! I'm moving right after Christmas.

Amy

[pat blake]

Definitely bring books if you like to read. There are two major bookstores, neither of which offer a wide range of books and it is hit or miss. But they will order books for you if you have the ISBN number. There is also a used bookstore, again hit or miss. I send books or bring a lot every year back from the States. Just about everything else I can get here now that I need.