Job Discussion Forums

[lyndalorient]

Hello.


Well I have been here in Al Ain for 4 days and I love the place. I hardly know where to begin.

Al Ain

The weather is amazing but can you believe it has rained twice since I got here? The rain followed me. It is much cooler than Dubai as Al Ain is actually inland. I have to wear a cardigan in the evenings. I saw my first Sandstorm yesterday. The heat is OK surprisingly but that's the difference of being inland I suppose. I don t miss the sea at all as there are beautiful mountains instead.

Everything is so cheap and people have so much money, I can t even spend too much money so I really think I ll save. Fruit and veg are so cheap and the food is amazing though I haven t been eating much due to the heat. There is so much to do and see.

For anyone wondering about prices, its dirt cheap by Irish standards. Then again we are one of the most expensive countries in the world so thats easy enough. But seriously 3 US dollar for strawberries. Sadly Irish people pay 9 US dollars for not so nice ones. Taxis cost 2 dollars as opposed to 10 dollars for just going down the street in Dublin. I would saythings are a sixth of the price in Ireland (except for alcohol but thta doesnt affect me ) Most people will find Al Ain so cheap though I heard Dubai is so expensive. I ll go there maybe once. Its doesnt hold alot of appeal to be honest after Al Ain

Al Ain is a much nicer town than Dubai city centre. I would describe Dubai as New york and there is so much construction whereas Al Ain is peaceful with beautiful green gardens, flowers, fountains, roundabouts, buildings and malls.

Taxis are so cheap it costs 1euro to go to the city centre of Al Ain. Everyone speaks English so that's a great help.

The people are very polite. Dress code is a lot more conservative than Dubai. The women are dressed head to toe in black. Most of the women even have their faces completely covered and most of the men wear the traditional dress with the red cloth on the head. It is so interesting.

I get stared at but nothing worse than that. I have blonde hair and blue eyes but I dress conservatively. As a female you are treated with a lot of respect. I have been allowed cut queues, been waited on first and am always let go first in everything. I think its great!

The Azhan (The Muslim call to prayer that happens 5 times per day starting at 6 am) is an experience. The first time I was in Carrefour (like our Tescos) with a group of Irish/Americans when the prayers blasted out over the microphone. Only I knew what it was. Everyone was so freaked out but I thought it was brilliant.

The shoes and clothes are fabulous and so cheap. I have bought 9 west and they have so many designer clothes and shoes at really cheap prices.

I have membership at the Hilton. I spend my evening beside the pool sunbathing or at the gym. Its so wonderful and so nice after training at the school.

The only thing getting me down is the lack of independenc. I can t drive after seeing the crazy way they use the roads. I am completely dependant on taxis so thats tough for me as I love walking but its not feasible at the moment. I am in an internet cafe, my first adventure out on my own

There will be lots of holidays so I plan tp\o travel maybe to Oman or Egypt after of course seeing the rest of the emirates.

THe school of Choeufait

So far ok I have had no surpise as I already knew exactly what was coming . Other teachers think I am a fortune teller or an encyclopedia but they don t know bout this website

Teachers are my age mainly Irish yet seem so much younger though I have been told I am quite old for my age 22 (real little granny ). Don t drink wouldn t be into the expat scene better get out my zimmer frame.
Most of the teachers are fresh outta college and have never lived abroad so maybe it will be tough going. There are a few with experience in Ireland and teaching qualifications but they still seem so young and I don t think it will help them as they don t seem to realise itrs a completely different concept here.I cannot believe how quickly I felt at home.

In all fairness I have lived abroad for a year and worked after college and speak fluent French so thats a real confidence builder. I have travelled alot and I am from Dublin (unlike other Irish) so I would be used to change and a multicultural society. I have Muslim friends and went out with a Muslim man so I already know a good bit about the culture. I am also well up to date about the Middle east as well as other Islamic countries. Above all I have had so much information thanks thanks to this forum . Alot of the other teachers hadn t researched as much as I did so I am the official guide thanks to all of your advice

The school is so nice looking. I have never been in a private school and now I know what I am missing. But I suppose its just looks.

The training is a bit long but I ll be teaching by September. I finally saw the infamours Germanos. OMG!!! Well I don t really have anything to say after seeing the video. But its exactly what I expected so I was the only one not shocked. Knowledge is power as they say. The others were fit to drop

I have met lots of nice people. There are so many Irish but to be honest they are all young and out to party as I have stated before I am a bit different . However I have met lovely girls from the Lebanon who speak French with me as well as a French Canadian. Its great as I am already fluent in French so its giving me a great opportunity to make friends with Muslims. They all wear the headscarf so I am the odd one out.

I have my own apartment but I am living in a block with lots of other teachers. My apartment is spacious and I have already decorated it. I really struck it lucky as everyone else has much smaller and not so nice appartment.

This is just my initial impression of it all I ll be back as they say.........

I lll keep the board up to date on my progress any questions feel free to PM me

[stoth1972]

I can't believe you need a cardigan in the evening! I don't think I brought that out in Dubai until November!

[uaeobserver]

Enjoy the honeymoon.

To be honest, I'm crazy about Al Ain, myself. It's among the finer places I've been.

Guard yourself against romantic notions -- but enjoy the new sensations while they're new.

Brace yourself - Ramadan is a month away.

[shimmeringsands]

Please keep us informed on your progress with SABIS when you start in September. I would love to know what is happening there. I could do with a laugh.

[stoth1972]

[holbrook]

Hey I live just opposite your school and I have to tell you that you are very lucky to be in Al Ain. It took me 6 years in the UAE to finally get a job in Al Ain. Without a doubt the pearl of the UAE.

The rain on Saturday was lovely. It does rain in Al Ain often enough in summer and in the winter. A few times each season is not unexpected. Al Ain is usually hotter than Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the summer, but much less humid which is why it feels so nice. My friends in Abu Dhabi cant imagine sitting outside for breakfast or dinner at this time of the year. In Al Ain.... No problem at all. About that cardigan..... You'll need more than that in the winter. Winter evening actually get quite cold. In Al Ain many houses (like mine) actually have heat, unheard of in Dubai.

Best of luck in Al Ain!

Cheers

[veiledsentiments]

Yes, our Lyndalorient went into the UAE and Sabis with realistically low expectations, so she is enjoying the nice things that Al Ain has to offer.

Did we talk about Ramadhan? One advantage of that month is the chance to go on nice long walks in complete privacy outside for the hour of Iftar... no traffic... no loitering starers...

Your kids might be a little grumpy from being up much of the night with all the guests and activity in their homes. At university level the challenge is keeping them awake for the shortened class period... rather a losing battle.

VS

[stoth1972]

The month of Ramadan actually flies by, IMHO...classes are shortened to the degree that they barely seem to start before they end. Not the most productive month, by any means.

[lyndalorient]

Thanks I am really blessed to be in Al Ain. Still loving it. To be honest I don t want to go home for X mas.

I ll keep everyone updated. i am blessed that my bosses and director are lovely. The Military school however some crazy things have been goin on (can t say much as we just heard about it). Everyone is thanking god that they are not there. One Irish lad had the misfortune.
Training is still boring however I am loving the classroom preparation as I love art.
I am teaching 4 year olds to my delight and lots and lots of art. No proper exams neither. I made a display on Egypt so hopefully I ll have some Egyptian parents to display my art work.
VS and Stoth I ll give you the links to the pics when I have them up.

Lynda

[eha]

Told you! Don't get too carried away, though-- but if you're teaching 4yr-olds, it must be one of those situations where you ask: "Are they actually PAYING me to do this?"

[Longton]

It's great to read upbeat and positive comments about a place. It reminds me of the first time I lived abroad (in Qatar) at the tender age of 21 and everything seemed wonderful and exciting. I travelled there on a VC10 and when I returned I flew Qatar - Cairo - Istanbul - Athens - Rome - Nice - London spending a few days in each city. My family and friends were amazed that I had the money and time to jet around like that. It's been downhill ever since!

[shimmeringsands]

It was great to hear positive comments about your experience in Al Ain. It is really my favourite place in the UAE. You are damn lucky not to be in the Military High School. It is a disaster. Just watch those poor teachers leave one by one. Keep me informed, as I would love to see the director of that school fall flat on his face.

[Burqa Babe]

..refreshing to hear your positive experiences about Al Ain and llife in general there I like Al Ain too but I was forunate to live in Ras Al Khaimah for a lot of yes and YES I did/do enjoy it! Keep us updated about life in the pearl

[stoth1972]

[lyndalorient]