Job Discussion Forums

sassifrass · Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 5 Location: U.S.

I am an American woman about to go into contractual employment with a school in Erbil. I would love some feedback from western women who are currently living in the Kurdistan region, or who have lived there previously. No need to tell me to stay away, or that the food is bad, or the internet only works a quarter of the time--I'm not interested in that sort of feedback ...I am more interested in learning about the experiences of western women in the region: i.e. did/do you feel limitations in any way? How generally do you dress?

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

We have only had one or two women who were heading into northern Iraq. Hopefully they will pass through here. If not, we hope that you will come back and share your experiences after you are there.

As to dress, it would seem that common sense would suggest that one dress neatly and stay away from things that are skin-tight or expose too much bare skin. The Kurdish students that I taught in the US wore hijab, so I would say that it is best to err on the side of conservative dress.

VS

Bindair Dundat · Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Posts: 1123

tarte tatin · Joined: 02 Mar 2007 Posts: 247 Location: Istanbul

Never been to Kurdistan but know quite a few Kurdish people having dated an Iraqi Kurd for six years in the UK. The Kurdish women I met dressed fairly Western. They are quite looks-oriented and like make-up and so on. I would say you can't go wrong with a smart trouser suit.

Bindair Dundat · Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Posts: 1123

007 · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 2:21 pm Post subject:

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

stoth1972 · Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 4:52 am Post subject:

"Blue eyes" should check in on this board soon...she's currently in Erbil. Can I ask the original OP the name of the school where you've accepted a contract? I have a feeling I already know the answer to this question, but feel free to PM me if you are not comfortable posting it publicly.

007 · Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 11:23 am Post subject:

bje · Joined: 19 Jun 2005 Posts: 527

stoth1972 · Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 5:18 pm Post subject:

I actually don't have the answer to the OP's question, 007. I'm offering her the ability to ask private questions about her new employer, if she would like to. Some employers actually read this board. I know because I've worked for those people.

sassifrass · Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 5 Location: U.S.

thanks to those with the periphial thinking abilities! the school is a moot point, as it is not involved in the reason i posted the original post. if you go back to the top of the thread, i was asking about western women's experiences in the culture. i'd ask the same question if i was going there to open a bakery Smile