Job Discussion Forums

McCurious · Joined: 28 Jan 2012 Posts: 3 Location: Canada

Hello!
Am doing an in-person interview with Teach Away for a position in Abu Dhabi. My son will be 16 and a half when I go (in August.) Don't know and won't know which city or school. I've researched a lot... including YouTube (skateboarding, etc.) He has a choice to come with me or stay with his father. Anyone know what it is like for Canadian teens in the UAE? I'd likely be home-schooling, he'd be getting credits on-line.

Thanks for any input! They said they'd need to know if he was coming, as he'd be written into the offer. I wonder if it would affect the offer?

Gus Barkley · Joined: 26 Aug 2010 Posts: 78

A position in Abu Dhabi would be in Abu Dhabi the Emirate, not necessarily Abu Dhabi the city. In addition to Abu Dhabi the city there is Al Ain (a much quieter place about 90 miles from Abu Dhabi) and many much, much smaller places scattered around the Emirate. A 16 year old is likely to be bored anywhere but the city. (I love Al Ain but if I were younger I'd want to be in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.)

I've never heard of dependents, or lack thereof, having any impact on an offer. Logically perhaps it should: Paying for more than one air fare, larger housing and schooling (if included in the contract)... but I've never heard of it being a consideration. In the search committees I've participated we never thought of the budgetary implications of "This person with 3 kids will cost us more than this person who is unmarried with no kids."

Good luck!

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

But I don't think ADEC pays for any education allowance for dependents and I'm not sure about tickets and medical - it would also be prudent to ask about housing (2 BR flat or only 1?)

Gulezar · Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Posts: 483

There is so much for kids to do in the UAE. Abu Dhabi and Dubai are great places to raise kids, and the "outback" of Al Ain or Fujeriah can be nice, too. However, you do need to find out what benefits your employer provides. I would not recommend home-schooling. It is not a very popular option in the UAE. You won't find the library access you might find in Canada. Your son would probably feel very isolated and alone as many of the kids activities are school-based.

Badar Bin Bada Boom · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 7:55 pm Post subject: Re: UAE is teen friendly

McCurious · Joined: 28 Jan 2012 Posts: 3 Location: Canada

Thank you so much for your replies. There is no allowance for schooling, and there's benefits provided, and apparently housing appropriate size.

There's lots for teens to do anywhere, I suppose... his specific questions maybe can not be answered until I know which city. He was wondering about food (he's definitely a carnivore but also wants to learn more about food prep as he wants to be a chef), about safety, about bringing his/or renting a guitar, and the internet/cell phone texting. (facebook, etc. communicating with his friends back home). He's a skateboarder too.

Thank you again, your opinions are very helpful!

Gulezar · Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Posts: 483

Well, Mum, finding friends will be a challenge, unless he is in a school or working. There are not many young folks just hanging out in Abu Dhabi, more so in Dubai; but rumor has it, more destructive than directed towards anything productive. In other words, 16 somethings are expected to be in school.

There is a wonderful diversity of cuisine in the UAE. Getting down to the nitty-gritty and working in an food establishment might lead to an interest in sociology and human rights more so than in the food itself. However, he probably would not even be able to work in a restaurant. I would assume that he would need a high school degree. It's not like back home where a kid can go in and work weekend and after school at odd jobs.

Bring the guitar. He will find other amazing string instruments and drums in the music shops. I don't know much about the skating scene, sorry.

Irregardless of all the above, there are more important questions which you must discuss with your employer. Does your job provide insurance for family members? Can you sponsor him or will he be doing visa runs every three months? Will home-schooling be accepted as "schooling" and therefore he is a dependent?

It's Scary! · Joined: 17 Apr 2011 Posts: 823

umzakaria · Joined: 23 Jun 2006 Posts: 58

Hi there,
on the contrary, loads of people homeschool....
http://www.abudhabihomeschoolers.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=74

robinbanks · Joined: 28 Apr 2009 Posts: 77

I am a little surprised anybody would even consider bringing a 16 year old here.Shouldn't he be back home preparing for his University entrance exams (whatever your British "A"levels or Irish "Highers"are).There's not much to do for them here and finding new friends at that age is a bit tricky.
I am pulling my child out this year so that a good secondary education will be available.Primary is fine here but secondary standards are not that great.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Iamherebecause · Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 11:43 am Post subject:

If you were in Abu Dhabi city it *could* work if your son is an outgoing positive thinking joiner-in and would (e.g.) join sports clubs etc. Anywhere else and I would advise against it. I know too many young people (mostly but not exclusively kids from Europe or North America) who really don't like living here at that sort of age. Their lives are way more limited than they are back home unless their parents are earning pots of money.