Travel to Kuwait to backpack, study, intern, volunteer, work or live as a digital nomad, expat or emigrant?

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Intro: life and experiences in Kuwait

If you are looking for a middle eastern experience with a luxury touch, and can spare the money for a few days, Kuwait is an interesting destination!
Features: good public transportation, few budget options, friendly people, luxury, modern and traditional.

A small country with a turbulent history that is now relatively safe. Kuwait has a lot to offer if you want to visit the middle east. Especially during shorter vacations, you can see a lot on short trips, for long vacations it may feel more limited.
Cities to spot: Kuwait City, Salmiya, Fahaheel.
Activity spotting: visit wonderful museums, buy spices and delicacies in the local markets, admire the grandeur of the "Grand Mosque," visit the beach and beautiful boardwalks, and feast your eyes on the bizarre architecture.
Nature spotting: Jahra Pools Nature Reserve, Al-Ardhiya Park.
Animal spotting: flamingos, pelicans, desert fox, Arabian sand viper, lobsters.

Education in Kuwait: the quality of education can vary by institute, but at the larger/foreign institutes the quality is relatively good although there are definitely areas for improvement.
Language: Arabic with opportunities in English as well, especially at the international institutes.
Studies: there are many study options, including engineering, natural sciences, business law, business administration, arts and humanities.
Study cities: Kuwait City.
Study culture: education is highly valued in Kuwait, so parents and the community strongly encourage young people to succeed academically. Institutions often still follow traditional teaching methods with a strong emphasis on classroom instruction and teacher-centered classes where discipline and respect for teachers and fellow students are very important. There are also extracurricular activities, sports competitions and observance of (Islamic) religious days.
Language learning: Arabic can be learned at language institutes and universities.

Education in Kuwait: the quality of education can vary by institute, but at the larger/foreign institutes the quality is relatively good although there are definitely areas for improvement.
Language: Arabic with opportunities in English as well, especially at the international institutes.
Studies: there are many study options, including engineering, natural sciences, business law, business administration, arts and humanities.
Study cities: Kuwait City.
Study culture: education is highly valued in Kuwait, so parents and the community strongly encourage young people to succeed academically. Institutions often still follow traditional teaching methods with a strong emphasis on classroom instruction and teacher-centered classes where discipline and respect for teachers and fellow students are very important. There are also extracurricular activities, sports competitions and observance of (Islamic) religious days.
Language learning: Arabic can be learned at language institutes and universities.

Internship opportunities: there are few internship opportunities in Kuwait. You may be able to find something as a student, at oil and gas companies or international organizations such as the UN.
Internship cities: Kuwait City
Characteristics: formal, Islamic principles, appearance is important, clothing conservative.
Competencies: intercultural communication, teamwork, cultural awareness, Arabic language.

There are volunteer options for people already living in Kuwait, such as helping at the Red Crescent, science centers and child care.
Animal/Nature projects: no projects.
Characteristics: few options, mostly part-time.

Jobs: there are many expats in Kuwait, most of the residents are expats! Jobs are mainly available in oil and gas, finance, marketing, construction, tech, with high salaries and no taxes! But the amount of supply is reducing due to government influence.
Work culture: particularly based on Islamic principles. Appearance is important and clothing conservative. So no tight or little covering clothes for women. Appointments are scheduled around prayer times (5x a day), and the work week lasts from Sunday to Thursday.
Characteristics: conservative, many expats, good salary and no taxes, Islamic influences.

Kuwait is not popular among digital nomads, but if you are looking for an experience in the middle east and are not shy about money, it is a nice and manageable destination.
Favorite locations: Kuwait City.
Features: good facilities, safe, good food and beautiful ancient and modern culture, strongly Muslim and relatively strict towards women, not LGBTQ+ friendly.

With two-thirds of expats in Kuwait, you can combine traditional and modern Middle Eastern life with an international environment.
Quality of life: the quality of life is Kuwait is quite good thanks to the strong economy, good education, comfortable housing, modern infrastructure. However, it is hot in the summer and there is a strong influence of Islamic values in the country, and even though women generally have more rights than in other countries in the region, they can experience significant restrictions in personal freedom. For the LGBTQ+ community, there is not a good quality of life as there is no social acceptance and homosexuality is even illegal.
Culture: even though Kuwait has embraced many Western influences, the country remains conservative Arab-Islamic with a strong influence of Islam on laws, norms and social customs. However, women do enjoy more rights (being allowed to drive a car, study, work) than in many surrounding countries. One of the most important cultural traditions is the diwāniyyah, a regular gathering of men to socialize. Furthermore, family ties and hospitality are important values in daily life.
Health care: good health care, but long waiting times at public health facilities. Private institutions are more expensive. So arrange your own (international) health insurance well.