After moving to Dubai from Egypt, people everywhere kept telling me how hard it will be to adapt with the work environment and deal with the diversity. But after working for almost six months, I came up with reasons of why I like and don’t like working here.
My Least Favorite Things About Working in Dubai
1. Working hours
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Forget about 9 to 5, that’s old news. And say hello to 9 to 8! Most jobs start at 9 am, and don’t ever believe them when they tell you you’ll finish on time. At least that was my experience!
2. Driving
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Believe me, if you don’t have a GPS or can’t use one, you’re definitely screwed. If you have a meeting somewhere you’ve never been to before or you’re not sure of the directions, you might end up in Abu Dhabi or Sharjah instead. One exit can cost you an important deal.
3. The heat
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Welcome to hell on Earth. It is hot almost 4 months of the year with humidity soaring up to more than 90% at the peak of summer. It would be difficult to walk to work even if you live nearby. My husband’s office is just across the street and people envy him for that. Well don’t, because he would prefer to take his car to go to work than walk a 100 meters and soak in sweat!
4. Second-class citizen
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You’ll be treated with good hospitality, yes, but always be aware of your boundaries and that it’s not your country; memorize the line: “This is their country, not mine.”
5. Pay your bills
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I’m always stressed that you I could lose my job at any moment and end up not being able to pay the bills or rent. Oh, and if you don’t know anyone who you can stay with till you find another job, you’re screwed!
My Favorite Things About Working in Dubai
1. Financial
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If you work in Dubai, or anywhere in the UAE for that matter, you enjoy an income tax-free salary that will enable you to save up (and spend your savings on useless stuff).
2. Health care
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You must have health care insurance which will actually save your ass from spending a whole lot of money on unsupported medicine and treatment.
3. Accommodation
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Most jobs provide accommodation or accommodation allowances which actually makes life a lot easier.
4. Multi-Culture experience
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I, personally, enjoy mingling with people from different nationalities and learning about their language, culture and religion. Such a great experience, and better to know about their lifestyle personally than just reading about them and vice versa.
5. Free trip home
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Expat packages include 30 days of paid vacation every 12-18 months (depending on the company/employer) including a round trip ticket to home country once a year, which is awesome!
6. That resume appeal
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Including working in the GCC for a multinational company or working with people from different backgrounds will definitely make your resume pop out from the bunch.
WE SAID THIS: Let me know about your Dubai working experience!