Living and Working in the United Arab Emirates
By Robin Henry

Getting in the direction of the end of my job, I would certainly been waiting on some excitement in my life for several years. My job with the Australian Government had altered after successive restructures to a task where I wasn't interested, not educated, educated or experienced. Sure, I managed the job, however I seemed like a fish out of water. I seriously required a brand-new direction as I rested waiting on a guaranteed redundancy package.

When my partner returned from a journey to the Middle East and suggested I apply for a task in the UAE, I thought she was joking. She had not been. Within days I was browsing the Internet for job vacancies and found there were hundreds. Within a month or more I worked deal to work as an educator within the Faculty of Business at Al Ain Women's College, one of 13 Greater Universities of Modern technology.

Having never ever lived overseas before, it was a big decision to go somewhere with a significantly various culture, far away from our children and grand son. We chose that we 'd take the challenge and if it didn't work out, we can always get back.

Our Arrival

We got to Dubai International Airport terminal at some ungodly hr after a 14 hour trip from Melbourne, Australia. We had actually been informed that we needed to grab our Temporary Visas from a migration desk, yet while we discovered the desk, the team was evasive, our very first idea that every little thing does not run too in the UAE as it performs in Australia. Within an hour, we had travelled through Customizeds, gathered our bags and visas and left the flight terminal with a really likeable, well-dressed and well-spoken Indian man called Vijay. Vijay was a chauffeur utilized by the Al Ain Colleges and we discovered quickly that he was the individual that made points occur for brand-new staff members ... Mr Repair It.

After signing my contract, I was handed two envelopes. One included a sum of cash to cover our stay at a hotel for six days, the various other had a cheque for 30,000 Dirhams for arrangement costs. We had no concept just what a Dirham was truly worth, but it looked like a great deal of cash ... and I hadn't done a day's work yet.

Settling-In

We found Al Ain a fascinating sanctuary with two-lane carriageways separated by iron fencings and date palm trees. It was remarkably green for a place in the middle of the desert, yet everywhere we went, we saw that the town had actually taken great satisfaction in providing a stunning city with an outstanding system of roads and facilities. It was much nicer than our community in Australia and water was undoubtedly abundant.

Extremely noticeable to us was the distinction in outfit amongst the populous who were largely Indian, Pakistani, Afghani, Asians, and Arabs. Caucasians like us were relatively limited (concerning 3,000 among 400,000 population). We can tell where people were from by their outfit, otherwise their look. Also the Arabs have different dress; visitors from neighboring Oman have headdress that differentiates them from the local Emiratis, but both wear similar kandora (a long white, dress-like robe).

Everybody we fulfilled got along, despite constant language obstacles. There was no graffiti and clutter was limited. Structures varied from over the top to crumbling block box homes for reduced paid labour. Our lodging in a substantial housing complex was palatial by Australian standards; four bedrooms and a house maid's room, 5 toilets, high ceilings, and a 2 car garage. We could not believe that two people were to be suited in such large accommodation.

The HCT's positioning for our 14 brand-new staff was lengthy and detailed, the best orientation program I had actually ever before experienced. In September I started instructing with courses in personnels subjects for final year students and computing and general business for first year trainees.

The Difficulties of Training

For the initial few months I wondered whether I had actually made the right decision. I had 140 pupils in class teams of 20 aged in between 19 and 25. Their English varied from nearly unable to satisfactory and most could not create a simple sentence. They were obviously unaccustomed to examine and not really motivated to learn. Life at university was an escape from their houses.

My ladies used standard attire ... black abeyas from neck to foot and black headdress. Several had only their eyes visible. Their names were not only extensive, but mainly new to me. I had great problem articulating some names and remembering that was that when they all looked similar; brown eyes, brown skin and black clothing. After I worked out in, I started to recognize that they were a really premature whole lot compared with Australian teens. Many had never ever been to a store; most had never spoken with men outside their households; their knowledge of the world was really narrow suitable tightly within the stringent bounds of their Islamic faith, society and place in life. They had primarily pleasurable, humorous personalities, which was a lifesaver as I quickly established an exceptional connection with most of them who in some ways advised me of my very own daughter currently until now away.

This odd fellow from Australia with a funny accent that spoke fast and sometimes used Australianisms quickly suited to his brand-new borders and made friends with the citizens.

While job was a significant difficulty aiming to motivate them, supply education in a significant and easy to understand way, it was likewise satisfying to understand that a person day, what I had actually helped them find out, would be of value to them and would, possibly, aid the United Arab Emirates.

Making Friends

The very best part of the entire adventure was the new good friends we made with expats from Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland, the US, Jordan, Egypt, France, Turkey as well as Australia. With the price of living so economical, we ate in restaurants regularly and celebrated every birthday, nationwide day, and frequently dined out simply to share a dish, a glass of wine and some good company.

During our summertime holidays we managed to travel all over Europe, to Canada, Hong Kong and numerous Middle Eastern nations outside the UAE. We spent a week at Cyprus. Among our reasons for relocating to the UAE was to take a trip. We certainly did that and it was much cheaper compared to doing it from Down Under.

Generating income

While my income was about the same as I made in Australia, there is no income tax. In fact there is little tax obligation in any way, although if you eat at a hotel currently, you pay 10% service charge and 6% tourist tax. There are costs for car registration, driver's permits etc, but all were a lot, much cheaper than I would have paid in Australia. Gas was economical as was food and practically whatever else, so we lived like kings and denied ourselves of nothing, knowing that this desire would eventually end.

Although we hadn't gone to the UAE making loan, my spouse didn't work and we did our very best to invest it on traveling, a new car and living easily, we entrusted a huge quantity of money, some brand-new furnishings and custom-made apparel and so on. We did very well from the UAE.

Conclusion

When you stay in an isolated place like Australia, it is simple to come to be Australia-centric and maybe a little bit conceited. Going to other places broadens your outlook and is the experience of a lifetime that every Australian ought to take. It has a humbling impact when you see countries that don't have drunks stumbling concerning the roads, no graffiti, no petty burglary, no road quarrels, and clean, well-dressed people with pride, unlike much of Australia. On the other hand, a few countries we checked out reminded us just how extremely lucky we are to be able to get on a jet and return to Australia.

Copyright 2008 Robin Henry

Robin Henry is a teacher, personnels expert and Internet marketing expert that composes write-ups concerning a wide range of topics. He comes from Alice Springs in Central Australia where he runs an Online marketing and consulting business.

Further information is offered at [http://www.dwave.com.au]