Would you work in Kurdistan/Iraq?

[Mandaloopy]

I'm not staying another year in Myanmar so have been applying for jobs. Nothing interesting or appealing in Thailand, which is a bit of a shame. Firm offer from Japan- hooray! And an interesting wildcard job offer from Kurdistan. The pay is excellent, for obvious reasons- not many people actually want to work there and it isn't exactly safe as semi rural Japan. The working conditions on the international school review are predicable- you'll save money but it's a tough gig.

Anyone worked in that region- doesn't have to be teaching, just curious about day to day life more than anything else.

[Grampa]

I'm not staying another year in Myanmar so have been applying for jobs. Nothing interesting or appealing in Thailand, which is a bit of a shame. Firm offer from Japan- hooray! And an interesting wildcard job offer from Kurdistan. The pay is excellent, for obvious reasons- not many people actually want to work there and it isn't exactly safe as semi rural Japan. The working conditions on the international school review are predicable- you'll save money but it's a tough gig.

Anyone worked in that region- doesn't have to be teaching, just curious about day to day life more than anything else.

Friend of mine worked in Kurdistan for a year in 2011. Good pay and he liked the folks and lifestyle.

No idea what it's like now.

[pseudolus]

Quite a few friends worked out there, and one still does on rotation. Likes it, but the pay is dropping these days as it's more or less safe there.

[buriramboy]

I'd choose Japan over Kurdistan unless of course being offered life changing money. Find yourself a nice rich Japanese chick.

[Pragmatic]

The place got a good rating on Tripadvisor.com. https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUser..._Province.html

[HuangLao]

Can't be much of a life for the missus, huh Manny?
Dragging her all over the world - here and there - every year or two.

The wanderlust of TEFLers. To each his own.
FFS, find a spot a become settled.

[Chico]

I'd say if you go work in Iraq, you'll be staying in a secure compound, met a guy in Dubai the other week who works on air traffic control there, never leaves the compound.

[Chittychangchang]

Depends on your age and ambitions.

But mostly the money!

I'd opt for the Japan gig.

[Mandaloopy]

I'm not married...

As for settling down: ideally this would be in Thailand- while I have enough is saving for a modest condo or townhouse I'm not prepared to work for the salaries on offer. I don't want to work till I drop dead- retirement sounds nice! I don't have money for Thai elite or an investment visa- so an wandering life until I am old enough for a retirement visa it is. Plus, I like the sense of adventure for the moment. It's a big world out there, I want to experience as much of it as possible

[Norton]

I want to experience as much of it as possible

Then off it is to Iraq.

you'll be staying in a secure compound

Most likely. Many jobs offer a good paid get away package. Something you need to insist on.

[Albert Shagnasty2017]

Couldn't be any worse than Burma

[Thailandbound]

No, I wouldn't work there to answer your question.
I thought you were really interested in China /HK?
After working near a year in the middle east I won't go back.

Best of luck!

[aging one]

I'd say if you go work in Iraq, you'll be staying in a secure compound, met a guy in Dubai the other week who works on air traffic control there, never leaves the compound.

Yes those counties are very similar socially, economically, and politically.

[Chico]

AO whats that got to do with a guy who works in Iraq and was in Dubai to catch a flight.?

Yes those counties are very similar socially, economically, and politically.

[raycarey]

^ he's an old pothead and (quite frankly) not very bright.

[DrB0b]

but the pay is dropping these days as it's more or less safe there

As the Turks are in the process of launching an invasion of Kudistan and are currently shelling a number of Kurdish cities I'd have to dispute your definition of safe.

[VocalNeal]

Of the two I would say Japan unless the money in Kurdistan is significantly better. No one wants the Kurds to have their own state so it will be constant turmoil. Iraq might be Ok if you want to live like a monk but if they pay really, really well.
Japan has beer and infrastructure. You might even like it their and stay?

[CaptainNemo]

I guess if you want to be a pretentious hero and write a novel, lose a bit of your body etc... take the Iraqi pebbles, or whatever they might pay, but I can't see the sense in it for anything less than 6 figures of UK money per year... especially versus a firm offer from Japan, where you might actually have some fun, earn respectably, and have something credible on your CV... anyone returning to the UK from shady parts of the world surely risks an interview at Heathrow?

[DrB0b]

I guess if you want to be a pretentious hero and write a novel, lose a bit of your body etc...

or it could just be that someone is young, fit, unattached, and looking to work somewheree that errs on the adventurous side. It's not all about money and safety.

[Lostandfound]

I was a hostage there in Saddam's day. Went back on a holiday to cycle across a few years ago. Did a thread on it. I'd say go. Weather is good, you can get a drink. Friendly locals. Some great outdoor activities too. Lake Dokan is a must. Girls will cost you 200us for a hotel s/t. Boys are cheaper. Probably free if you take it up the arse or just bj them. Ask Blue. He's the resident TD expert on such matters

https://teakdoor.com/travel-the-world...q-holiday.html (NE Iraq holiday)

[Luigi]

I remembered that, but could put a nik to the story.

I remember watching a documentary on the hostage taking after reading your posts.

https://teakdoor.com/travel-the-world...ml#post2522875 (NE Iraq holiday)

Probably the one put in the post.

Gonna watch it again tomorrow.

Insane stuff if you were there.

[fishlocker]

No, I would not. Couldn't pay me enough. And I'm a cheep S.O.B.


I work for peanuts while others just get the shells. But the fish may just be the elephant in the room.

Maybe I should be caged, or at minimum tanked, it is Saturday.

[Latindancer]

It is not so as important how much you earn in a particular place, as how much you can save there. However if you can save money in the Middle East, go for it.

In other ways, there is no comparison. Japan has these : https://xhamster.com/videos/japanese...is-guy-7308667

And where would you find one of those in the Middle East ??

Keep in mind also that rural Japanese people are a world apart from city people. They are friendly and not stand-offish at all. That is a city trait.

Japanese cities are bewildering when you first get there. Try to find someone to meet you and send you off to the country.

[CaptainNemo]

or it could just be that someone is young, fit, unattached, and looking to work somewheree that errs on the adventurous side. It's not all about money and safety.

That statement would make a lot more sense were it not for the kind of mediaeval horrors that have been going on in close proximity to Kurdistan.... and if that's your idea of adventure, there's plenty of spots around the world that offer that... northern south america and central america, lots of africa, lots of parts of funny named countries all over asia - some people even go and teach in north korea - that would be an experience...

even without war, human rights abuses, lack of infrastructure, bumfuck thursdays, and boringly hot/dry climate, Japan's still got a lot more to offer by way of adventure/experiences than most countries in the Middle Earth

[tomcat]

Plus, I like the sense of adventure for the moment.

...it was this same spirit that led me to accept a contract in eastern Algeria for a year: wonderful experience off the beaten track...I'd encourage you to give Kurdistan a try (if only for the carpets): safe and settled Japan will always be there...