It might look glamorous to live abroad. However, expats’ lives in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have many layers. We are here together, sharing experiences from different expatriates who have called Dubai home, as part of this week’s UAE expats interview series. Their stories highlight opportunities, cultural challenges, and lifestyle changes that come with living in one of the most dynamic cities in the world.
A Realistic Look: Anna’s Dubai Experience
Anna is an Australian expat who lived in Dubai for some time. So, she shared with migrating miss that her time in Dubai was not what she expected. However, she moved to Dubai for a job in a renowned hotel chain. Moreover, she was excited about the chance, but she soon found the lifestyle demanding. Hence, long working hours, strict employer control, and a challenging social scene made it difficult to settle there.
Still, she appreciated the warm weather and the strong community among colleagues. However, she accepts that she struggles with the class system of Dubai and cultural differences. She said, “I did not grow up in that environment, but the experience taught me resilience and shaped my journey as an expat.”
Her advice for newcomers: Research your employers deeply and be ready for cultural differences beyond the shiny tourist image of the Emirate.
A Global Perspective: Ingrid’s Professional Life in Dubai
Ingrid is a French expatriate and marketing professional. However, she offered completely opposite experience to Anna. She sees Dubai as a growing global hub because she thinks there are opportunities in oil, healthcare, education, and tourism. Furthermore, she said that the city attracts talent because of its tax-free salaries and international exposure.
Ingrid shares her experience to expatseverywhere. So, she also shared that the cost of living has actually dropped in recent years on the global index for Dubai. However, she also shared that it is high in some areas. On the other hand, she highlights that lifestyle choices dictate expense because dining out, alcohol, and luxury shopping can be costly. However, everyday essentials are still manageable.
A Long-Term Home: Ishita’s Dubai Journey
Ishita is a Bengali food and travel blogger. She has considered Dubai her home for more than a decade. Thus, she has seen the transformation of Dubai from sand dunes to a global metropolis. Moreover, Ishita Unblogged is her blog that captures food, travel, and cultural stories that shape her expat her.
Initially, she lived in Dubai as a young professional. However, she returned with her family later. So, Ishita highlights positives and challenges both in her interview with the expatsblog. However, she loves multicultural environment, safety, and opportunity for her children. Still, she noted that it can be overwhelming to live here due to construction, expensive school fees, and costly housing.
Her advice for newcomers: secure school admissions early, understand your employment contract clearly, and stay open to cultural surprises.
UAE Expats Interview: Why Expats Choose Dubai
Besides mixed experiences, all three expats share reasons behind Dubai attracting many expats mentioned below:
- Tax-free salaries and career growth
- Global exposure and networking opportunities
- A modern urban lifestyle mixed with rich cultural traditions
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