womanthismonth.com | MAY 2025 68 OPINION Life as an Expat Teacher in Bahrain Rachel Radford is an expat teacher in Bahrain. Her column in Woman This Month will dive into pivotal issues impacting women, reflecting her unique perspective and experiences. The human condition, in my opinion, has always been that ‘the grass is always greener on the other side.’ Undoubtedly it was this mentality which prompted me to book my first one-way ticket to the Middle East at the tender age of 28, with big dreams of seeing the world and my first teaching job. It was a minimally thought out, yet foolproof plan, and I was ready! From the minute I stepped on the plane, I was scared. Scared about everything I was leaving behind and scared about what I would find ahead. I didn’t know then that once you walk away from a life you’ve always known, you’ll never quite know it in the same way again. When I arrived in Bahrain, I was met with a welcome as warm as the climate. That’s the thing about the expat community you see; being away from all that you know and love has a way of bonding people for life! Some of the friendships I’ve made here as the most meaningful connections I will ever make. Unfortunately though, the transient nature of expat life also means you’ll find yourself having to say goodbye far too often. A thick skin is a requisite of the lifestyle, so beware! Cultural Challenges and Gender Dynamics The first real challenge I faced was adjusting to the cultural dynamics. Being a single female added a layer of complexity to just about everything. Bahrain, for all its progressiveness in so many areas, still holds onto certain traditions that influence the way gender is perceived. While women are certainly visible in the workforce, there’s still a certain undercurrent of conservatism that shapes social expectations. There’s a subtle, yet undeniable, difference in how women are viewed here – both in public and in private – that takes time to untangle. On the flipside though, I can say with absolute certainty, that existing as a woman in Bahrain just feels … safe. I can navigate this little country all by myself without the fear that is ever-present in many other places that I have lived and visited, and that’s certainly not something that I ever take for granted. The Role of Education As a teacher, I often feel like I’m toeing the line between two worlds – one shaped by the place I grew up in, and the other by the cultural expectations of life in Bahrain. One thing that has always been apparent is how deeply education is respected in Bahraini society. There’s a very real sense of pride in students’ academic achievements, but with that pride comes a certain pressure for teachers too. The expectations are high, and the personal and professional growth is constant. It has taught me the value of patience and understanding, especially navigating the delicate balance of encouraging independence in a system built on tradition. I often find myself reflecting on the past seven years since I boarded that plane. ‘If I could do it over, would I do it any differently?’ I ask. The answer always shares a similar sentiment. The path I chose, while pushing me so far outside of my comfort zone, made me the self-aware, adventurous and independent person I am today. I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know for sure that I won’t wake up one day and look back on my life wondering or regretful. I did it, and that made all the difference.
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