Leave in MENA pls

[100% Al Ahly Fan 53]

I was born here in the US and my parents moved us to Saudi Arabia when I was 5 years old and we lived there (and the summers in Egypt) until I was 11 years old, at which time we returned to the states.

I can't tell you how much I loved it! I'll be honest though, my mother HATED it and that's with her being an Arab AND speaking the language. For me, being surrounded by family was the best. I had no issues with being in an Arabic school. It helped that there were other "foreign kids" at the school as well though. I'm sure it would have been harder if I was any older moving there. I also think it would have been very boring without many family and friend functions, since Jeddah wasn't as developed back then (in the 80s) as it is now. My poor mother hated how confined she felt living there. I mean she had my aunts, grandmother, and friends she met, that tried to make her feel welcomed but it just wasn't the same as living in Egypt or the US. She truly hated it. She'd cry every summer when we had to leave Egypt, Like her, I always loved our time in Egypt, as well, because it was much more fun (weren't summers always fun as a kid) then living in Saudiya. Overall I liked living overseas and have very good memories of those years.

I considered moving to Egypt, as well, before my husband moved here, but having a child who need special education services put that on the back burner. Thankfully with the unrest there I'm glad that we don't live there now. We may reconsider when my oldest graduates from high school.

Just curious...you mentioned "both your children," yes? If this is right, were you planning on leaving one behind? If so I think it's a terrible idea. I could never leave one of my children. It's either all of us or none of us.

Glad to hear you're planning the K-1 route considering the condition Egypt is in right now. Otherwise, in my opinion I think it would be a great experience for you and your child(ren).

[True Love at Last 15]

Yes I have two children, one is 16 and has one more year of highschool, then off to college (inshaAllah). I could not take him out of the country because of his father, BUT he would come to stay with me for summer vacations. My daughter is 5 and her father is Egyptian so she would enjoy Egypt as she has already been once with me for 30 days.

I brought my ex-husband to the US because I could never leave my child (only one at that time). However, my situation at this time opened the thoughts AFTER discussing this with my son to move to Egypt for awhile. Moving out of the country is a huge decision and my fiance and I along with my children have decided that our best chance at a great future would be here in the states. We will return to Egypt on a regular basis to visit family but again after much consideration, our children will be better served here in the states.

Thanks again for all the great responses !

[Ihavequestions 419]

I'm going to say it one more time: this place is lawless.

[True Love at Last 15]

I'm going to say it one more time: this place is lawless.

Many thanks for all your advices. Decision made, sticking to K1 :-)

[Boiler 45,730]

There are American schools in Cairo and as they say travel broadens the mind.

Does your daughter have an Egyptian passport?

[True Love at Last 15]

There are American schools in Cairo and as they say travel broadens the mind.

Does your daughter have an Egyptian passport?

No she only has an American Passport. We have decided to continue with K1 and if that fails for any reason then I will return to Egypt, Marry him and begin another journey. FOR NOW.....we pray that our K1 goes with out a hitch :-)InshaAllah.

Edited December 17, 2012 by True Love at Last

[CasandraYounes 0]

Glad you were able to make a decision. I hope that things turn out okay and wish you luck on your K1 journey.