Kuwait

Kuwait would be our home base for exploring the Middle East and beyond. 

Interesting Facts

An Arabian peninsula country located at the tip of the Arabian Gulf, Kuwait is a petroleum-based economy; the Kuwaiti Dinar is the highest value currency in the world. As of 2016, Kuwait has a population of roughly 4.5 million; expatriates account for 70% of the total population. As a Muslim country, alcohol and pork products are illegal and the work week is Sunday through Thursday.  The country was invaded by Iraq in 1990.   

Pandemic Experience Abroad

There is never a good time for a pandemic. For us, it happened during our last year in Kuwait. After Kuwait National Day on February 25, 2020, school resumed and concluded under distance learning. We were unable to hold end of the school year celebrations and say our farewells in person. Initially, the government had set curfews. At one point, our neighborhood - Hawally - was isolated with barbed-wire and checkpoints. Daily life was somewhat normal in the sense that you stayed indoors as it was already well above 100° F (38° C) by this point. 

From Our Experience

Please visit the From Our Experience section for information pertaining to the following topics. 


TOP 3 - FAVORITE SPOTS (KUWAIT CITY)

Al Shaheed Park

An urban oasis in every sense of the word. 

Sultan Chef

It's that good.

Souq Al Mubarakiya

A popular traditional market destination. 

We would like to thank all our colleagues from Al Bayan International School for a memorable four years. Dr. Zak Palsha gave us both an opportunity to live, work, and explore the world together and for that, we are thankful. We started as a teaching couple and left as a teaching family with the addition of Wadi our foster-fail, adopted dog and our first child - Javier. 

Speak the Language - Arabic 

Here are some of our favorite Gulf Arabic dialect words and phrases we learned during our stay. 

Reflections

Jose: Kuwait is not for the faint of heart; it was a tough place to live. With that said, I am grateful to have had the experience.  Sandstorms, flash floods, camel racing, and upwards to 120°F in June are some memories I will never forget. We got to explore neighboring countries and witness Arab hospitality firsthand. Yes, the people can be a little rough around the edges (from Western standards), but they have a way of staying in your heart forever. I have learned the value of being an American abroad and our position of influence - for better or worse. I just hope I gave as much as I received, shukran.  

Kelsey: