cornish wrote:Come to this thread a bit late having been out and about over the weekend.
What do I think about Kuwait? Well its just like any of the other little Arabian Gulf states - only one of the more boring ones. While the likes of Dubai are pretty hideous, they've got plenty to do in a glitzy, chintzy, kitsch bad taste sort of way. Kuwait is nowhere near that level yet - but don't think for a moment it will be full of old traditional Arabic culture and buildings either.
I've done a lot of work in that part of the world and the idea of living in any of them is a definite non-starter in my eyes. Abu Dhabi is probably the most agreeable for now (although it ain't great).
I have to say, the time of year you would be going is awful - summer in the Gulf is truly awful if you are having to work. I've been to Dubai and Abu Dhabi in July for work and its just stupidly hot. I like warm and sunny and a good bit of heat, but that's just ridiculous.
A VERY important question is whether they provide your accomodation or not. Be warned it can be an absolute nightmare if you have to do it yourself, and it is common in the Gulf States to pay a year's rent in advance due to the shortage of decent places. And if not, then hotels are also getting very very pricey. On the flipside, transport and food is cheap.
The other thing to be absolutely sure of is that all your paperwork for work permits and the like are completely sorted by your employers before you get there (or as much as possible). It can be a bureaucratic nightmare out there, and offices often get raided for people illegally working, and i've known respectable westerners to get kicked out. Not ideal.
But having said all that, if you have never lived and worked outside the US before then I would say do it. Even If its only for a short period, I think everyone should take the opportunity to live outside their home country for a bit. I did - in Germany and Hungary and it was some of the best times of my life. There's so much to see and learn, and at the very worst you come back appreciating your own country more !! Its also good for the CV - especially if you are doing a good sensible career-type job and not just working in a bar or similar.
Thanks for the detailed reply. My housing, furnishing, and meals are all paid for. All documents will be filled out, too. What is getting food like down there if I decide to venture out and/or cook for myself? Also, are my power cables going to be OK or do I need anything special?
I've never worked outside the US, though Spicoli and Fluffy point out that Wyoming is pretty close to it.
Also, as BAB and Spicoli et al point out, there are places close by to travel to. My friends have been to Russia, one went for one year. That one also is on his second year in Mongolia. Apparently Mongolia is a lot nicer, and, as he describes it, "also poor but much less f*#ked up."
I've always wanted to visit Seychelles, and, after getting to know a girl from Azerbaijan, I'd like to visit there, too, just for kicks.
Also, can I get a semi-cheap flight to Köln? I have a good friend there and I haven't seen her for years, though we talk all the time.
Oh, and Wyoming is absolutely fantastic for property taxes. ~9.0 fractional assessment value for your property? That's freaking amazing.
That's almost worse, except that maybe you're an hour closer to SLC.
