Job Discussion Forums

moonshine · Joined: 11 Jan 2008 Posts: 60

Hi

I'd really like to hear from other single women teaching in the UAE as I plan on coming over there later this year.

Anything at all - from dress, protocols, rules and regs to be aware of - how is it for single women?

thanks!!

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

Did you try a search? This topic has been discussed repeatedly here over the last few years. Laughing

VS

moonshine · Joined: 11 Jan 2008 Posts: 60

like2answer · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 154

007 · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 5:31 pm Post subject:

mishmumkin · Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 929

Is it true that the search function only goes back so far?

Moonshine, there were two threads on American University of Sharjah and Sharjah Universitiy recently. They were packed w/ some good info on life in Sharjah-the most conservative of the emirates.

As for life in the UAE in general, I think it's relatively easy, though as mentioned in previous comments you do have to become a bit more aware of your behaviour. For women there is such thing as 'too friendly' with members of the opposite sex, though when I compare my experiences as a woman in Egypt and the UAE, you'll find that harassment in the latter is nearly non-existent. If you're a smiley kind of gal with people you don't know well, it can be misconstrued. It's easier to relax this once you get a feel for that place.

You'll need clothes that are good for work (professional, not clingy, no cleavage, and preferably something that is either loose on your backside or covers it), but don't leave your beach attire behind. Shorts and sleeveless tops have their place (hotels, clubs, certain beaches). Non-work clothes such as your 3/4 length trousers, capris, short-sleeve shirts and such are ok in the grocery store and for errands in most parts of the UAE.

I think that you'll find that men are generally quite respectful. This is something that I feel varies from nationality to nationality, but if anything you'll like be treated to more "gentlemanly" behaviour than the contrary. You can walk alone at night w/o much concern for safety, but a woman walking anytime often gives the wrong impression. When I lived in Bur Dubai, simply walking from my home to the gym on Bank Street in my grubbiest of workout clothes (modest) in the middle of the day resulted in being offers for "my services". I wish I could say this was localised in Dubai, but this happenen in Jumeirah, too. Dubai seems to have the most issues w/ out and out prostitution.

If you are an outdoor walker, there are certainly parts of Emirates like Sharjah, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi where walking in expected. In Sharjah it's the corniche, and in Dubai it's Safa Park and Creek Park. Can anyone on the board add to good walking places in AUH and the other emirates? I'm sure Dubai has some new parks to be added to that list. I like Safa because it's a soft track around the outside of the park, and it tends to be well populated by men and women from many different countries.

Moonshine, I think we could write a book on all the details. Do you have some specific questions? About driving, about what to do w/ your free time, about meeting new people, about health clubs, clothing available, prices, etc.?

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

moonshine · Joined: 11 Jan 2008 Posts: 60

thanks ladies for taking so much time to respond - I do appreciate it.

one hears so many things on the rumor mills and face it, the ME in general doesn't always get a pleasant response out of people when one brings it up so I pretty much don't bring it up any more.

I know what you say about the men being more polite and like gentlemen - I think it's part of the Muslim culture - the better part of it, not like the extremist end (let's not go there sorry to have brought it up!)

thanks again!

mysticflower · Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 6:34 pm Post subject:

Hello!

I wonder whether there are any christian protestant churches in or around Abu Dhabi, Dubai, etc ?

Thanks:)

Looks like you all are enjoying your stays there.That's great:) It is so much appreciated that you share with others your experiences and thoughts.
Blessings!

mishmumkin · Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 929

mysticflower · Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 7:56 pm Post subject:

Has anyone actually been to a protestant church there?I'm just curious to see if there' are any differences...

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 3:23 am Post subject: Churches in Abu Dhabi

C'mon! Let your oun fingers do the googling! I simply googled the phrase in the Subject line and got...

www.eccad.org/

www.standrewauh.org

www.indexuae.com/Top/Religion/Christianity/2

...just for beginners!

Really, why don't people do just the modicum of research into their own queries instead of asking others to do it for them. I mean, isn't it bad enough for the nationals to always be wanting us to do their homework. If this is the stance or ethic of mysticflower, then God-bless! She can only add to the colourful matrix of foreigners in the country.
Yes, I've been to St. Andrew's and St. Joseph's and, yes, there are no differences. I mean, what differences would you expect? There are no differences in protestant churches in Korea either, except that the medium of communication is in Korean. Then again, the lingua franca there isn't English as it is in the U.A.E.

Really, wouldn't even a perfunctory search be in order before hitting the boards?

Sorry for being cranky, but I see way too many postings like this. Questions into things like internal working dynamics at schools or school systems, etc...can't be found readily without asking people on boards like this, but "Protestant Churches in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, etc...?

Yours in Christ,

NCTBA

kiefer · Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 268

Wow. Someone just got whacked on their knuckles with a ruler.

mishmumkin · Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 929

mysticflower · Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 11:50 am Post subject:

Well....

thank you and I'm sorry! I don't mean to cause trouble to anyone nor to show laziness or want others to do the work for me.
I just imagined someone might have been to such a church and could relate how he/she found the atmosphere ,or if there were certain differences....

I, myself, am Romanian (English and Geography teacher), in my 4 th year of teaching and I'm not in UAE, but dream of at least visit one day.

I'm reading your posts as there's this company www.sabis.net - The International School Of Choueifat- looking for English and Science teachers- shockingly Romanian ones - to go teach in Qatar, Oman, and UAE. I guess it's cause they imagine they don't have to pay Romanians as much as they pay the English speaking natives....

I appreciate very much all your posts. Thank you!
Blessings!
Nicoleta