This summer has been full of lazy, hazy, and crazy days. It's been a long process of hurry up and wait.. and hurry up and wait.. and hurry up and wait, and lot's of stress and a ton of excitement in between. I have never applied for a visa before, and I never imagined what an extensive process it would be. In that sense, I am a relieved that I have until August to get it all organized and ready to go. On the other hand, I was ready to hop on a plane the moment I signed my contract. I have been talking about wanting to do this for so long, and it's a good and prideful feeling to accomplish a dream like this. I have had plenty of time to get my things organized, and relax. I have also had time to do some traveling this summer as well. My one and only sister got married on June 23rd in Connecticut! After the wedding, we spent a few days in NYC! I am telling you.. I could live there, I really do <3 NYC! Anyways, one of my goals for the summer was to write a post explaining WHY in the world would I do something like this... and answer some questions that many of you ask all the time ;p Hopefully it will help to soothe some of the worries out there.
So here goes..
Question 1) So.. are you working on a military base or for the DOD?
Answer- No, I am working for the American International School of Kuwait. Still confused?.. AIS is an IB World School. AIS offers programes from ages 3 to ages 19. Teachers and students learn together by doing, discovering, and reflecting. This school prepares its students to become world citizens and prepares them for colleges and universities.
Question 2) What will you have to wear?
Answer- Dress is very similar to what is expected here. Professionally, cover the knees and chest area and be modest in public as well. And no... I will not be required to wear a burka.
Question 3) Will you live in a compound?
Answer- AIS leases seven apartment buildings in close proximity to the campus. These apartments are fully furnished.
Question 4) Will you have to know Arabic... or teach in Arabic?
Answer- No, most of the population in Kuwait will know a fair amount of English, but appreciates the attempt to learn their language. My students will be speaking English at AIS. English will be there second language, however. I will be wanting to learn as much Arabic as possible, because I am going to be living in a new culture and that is part of the experience that I am wanting to take part in.
Question 5) How long will you be there.. and when do you leave?
Answer- I signed a two year contract. I leave August 23rd, and I come home in the summers. Who knows what's next after two years though!
Question 6) What is the population of Kuwait?
Answer- About 2.9 million
Question 7) What kind of food will you be eating there?
Answer- Lots of rice and lamb, some chicken and other various things with different kinds of spices.
Question 8) Where will you be at in Kuwait?
Answer- I will be in Kuwait City.. there are a lot of suburbs and towns and I am not exactly sure which one I will be in.
Question 9) Why Kuwait???
Answer- Why not? :) I have traveled quite a bit for my age and I want to become more worldly. I want to see how this experience helps to shape me. I am ready to figure these things out on my own. It's an adventure :)
If you have any more questions, please feel free to post on here. :)
Below are some links to my friends blogs who are currently teaching in Indonesia right now! I met them at the UNI Job Fair.. a truly amazing experience in and of itself!
http://njcastro.tumblr.com/
http://amberslifeinjakarta.blogspot.com/
