Job Discussion Forums

[sarakershaw]

This is question for those of you who have lived and taught in both the UAE and Kuwait. What are the pros and cons of each country in terms of working conditions and lifestyle? Which do you prefer to work and live in? I know working conditions and perks will vary depending on which institution you work for but I'd appreciate any comments.

[veiledsentiments]

Absolutely hands down no question... the Emirates. (JMHO)

Kuwait is one city sitting in the middle of a rather unscenic desert. It has a rather ramshackle unfinished feel that shocked me when I arrived as it seemed more like Cairo and with their extreme wealth, I had expected it to be more like the southern Gulf. And, I found their governmental bureaucracy to be the worst to deal with in every way. The expat lifestyle is not that different except that Kuwait doesn't have legal alcohol... which wasn't an issue for me as I don't drink. The weather is better than the southern Gulf as it is not as humid. The traffic sucks... big time... I felt it was more dangerous than the Emirates because it is all in an urban area. The most dangerous area in the UAE is around and outside the cities themselves.

The UAE is a larger country with more variation. The beaches are highly superior. There are mountains with wadis to 'bash' and areas with high dunes to run or sand ski on. So, there are many outdoor activities. The cities are more kept up and cleaned up... more gardens and parks. The weather in the cities along the Gulf is VERY humid for much of the year... interior is dry, but there are not as many jobs there. The traffic in Dubai totally sucks too, but in other cities it is tolerable.

Working conditions can really only be compared by employer, not country. The UAE offers many more acceptable employers than Kuwait does... just because we are dealing with a larger place. But, in the end, my choice of which place to live would be the employer.

VS

[stoth1972]

Sarah, are you looking for a uni position or K-12?

[lynnknows]

I agree with VS, UAE hands down. I disliked Kuwait from the moment I arrived. I didnt like anything about it. Within a week of arriving A Kuwatie man tried to grab me and push me in his car. I was followed home on a regular basis. Men just seem to think if you are not in the company of a man you are for sale. I used to life four blocks from my job so I would walk home. This was a nightmare. I have never in my life been treated so badly by men.
Like Vs said there is much more to do in UAE and the governmental bureaucracy is better. The traffic is the worse in Kuwait. I mean Egypt was bad but in kuwait I feared for my life each and every time I got into a taxi. I read in a book they had more deaths on the road than any other Gulf country.
I guess What I am saying is the quality of life is much better in Uae.

[sarakershaw]

Well, so far no one has had much to say about Kuwait as opposed to the UAE.

If the UAE has so much over Kuwait, why do some prefer to go there?

Sloth, I'm looking to take up a university post.

[NadiaK]

Another vote for the UAE.

I lived in Kuwait not having experienced life in the UAE. I don't regret it at all, but now I've lived in the UAE, I would definitely pick the UAE any day of the week.

Plus if you're looking for tertiary level employment, there are many more (I believe) opportunities in the UAE.

[Niz1]

"Within a week of arriving A Kuwatie man tried to grab me and push me in his car. I was followed home on a regular basis. Men just seem to think if you are not in the company of a man you are for sale. "

Anything like this happen in the UAE? Do women need escorts?

[stoth1972]

Niz1: No need for this. You might find yourself in weird situations. I was involved in a car accident in Dubai (barsha flyover), and had to get out of the cars to assess the damage. It seemed like 200 labourers walked by, staring at me like and the situation. Awkward? Yes. Menacing? No. The police shared a few sarcastic words w/ them, including "Did you get a good look??" as he pointed at the car damage.

If you're walking in many parts of the city, it may also draw attention. After all, a walking girl must be a 'working girl'. Aside from a couple creepy incidents at the beach park or hotel pools, I found that men generally stayed away.

[veiledsentiments]

I have never had anything like that happen to me anywhere in the Gulf... never even close... not in Egypt or Kuwait or the UAE or Oman... nor traveling in other countries. Nor have any of the my friends had anything like that happen.

The reality is that whether one is bothered or not is often a matter of the color of your skin. The whiter you are, the less you are bothered. Westerners are seldom bothered beyond verbal harassment and the occasional feel... similar to passing a large construction site in the US and what often happens on crowded commuter buses or trains.

In the UAE, pale western women are bothered mainly because the men assume that they are Russian/Eastern European hookers. So, if some fellow says, "Ruski?" they are not really asking your nationality, but your price. This happens mostly in Dubai... lots of tourists means plenty of hookers. Basically you respond just as you would to someone bothering you in a pub...

VS

[stoth1972]

Years ago, a friend of mine driving around Dubai was followed by what appeared to be an Emirati man. She was spooked, but drove to the nearest police station and that was that.

I think it probably doesn't happen anymore because Dubai traffic is so crappy these days. Even the perves can't afford to follow every single western female

This was a very unusual occurrence, though. Police are seemingly intent on cracking down on sexually harassing behaviour in the UAE. They have been closely monitoring the Dubai beaches for a while now.

[sarakershaw]

Hmmm, what would happen if I swung my 10-kilo handbag (and I'm not joking!) across an ill-mannered, pestering arab's head? Would I be arrested and charged with manslaughter?

[stoth1972]

I'd be very surprised if some man became physical with you, Sarah. Particularly not Emiratis. There are people whom I would smack w/o thinking twice, but hit someone important (or someone who thinks they're above the law)...it's just hard to say how that would pan out for you. Justice is not always blind. Worst case scenario? What do you think, folks? Jail time and deportation?

[sandy gallop]

...

[veiledsentiments]

I can't really imagine a situation in the Gulf where physically attacking some fellow with a large handbag was required. It is all just verbal silliness and violence would be rather uncalled for. Normally just making a scene is enough. Of course if it is late at night and in a car park, a handbag over the head might be just the trick. But, really we are reaching for possible scenarios here.

But... you do never really want to take on a high-wasta individual if you can avoid it. The vast majority of us encounter no problems. And we have all heard a few tales and can never be sure which of them are urban legends. The only story I can recall where I knew the individual and was working with him at the time, was a British man who was driving and a big tarted-up 4x4 roared up behind him and started flashing his lights. There were cars in the lane next to him, so it took him awhile to get moved over.

The next thing that happened was that a deportation notice arrived at the university administration because Mr VIP was very unhappy. We all naturally asked if he had given this fellow the finger or something, but he swore he didn't. Anyway, administration stepped in, and abject apologies were made to Mr VIP for so inconveniencing him... feathers were unruffled... and the man was teaching there for many more years.

VS

[stoth1972]