Hi, I live in Sulaimani, Kurdistan and have been here for about a week. As near as I can tell, it is very safe, compared to the rest of the country. Where in Kurdistan will you be living? The basic rule we use here is that common sense is the best defense. Don't go down strange alleys, avoid traveling alone, and report anything suspicious to the local police. I lived in both DC and Detroit MI prior to coming here and in many ways it is similar. There are a few factors-are you a man or a woman? Kurdistan is pretty liberal, and Sulaimani is very liberal, but there are still prohibitions against women doing certain things, and dating (for men or women) is nearly impossible. The best bet is to learn the local customs and abide by them in public. Also, it is a very good idea to register with the Iraqi consulate (you can do it on the web) so that they are aware of your presence in the country, and if the situation turns sour, they can inform you and help you make your way to safety. I know this sounds sort of vague, but if you could give me an idea of where you will be living and what you will be doing, I can get a better idea of how to answer. All in all though, I do not feel unsafe here.
