Job Discussion Forums

[DaveW125]

Hey all,

My girlfriend and I are currently living and working in Korea and are looking for a new challenge for the early part of next year. We are looking at other countries to work in and at the moment the UAE/Dubai is top of the list. We�re currently doing research on Dubai and the UAE in general but would really appreciate some advice from people actually living and working there already. We have 6 main questions really. If you can even answer one or point us in the direction of some good websites then that would be great.

1. Money � Unfortunately, due to loan repayments and the like this is still pretty high on the requirements list. My girlfriend needs to be able to save around $700-$800 each a month whilst i need around $500 a month. My girlfriend has a degree in linguistics, is tefl certified and has 3 years teaching experience. I have a masters degree ( in medical law, for what its worth ) and 2 years teaching experience. Is this going to be possible? Would it be worth me getting an online TEFL cert? Also, is there the possibility of private lessons? In korea it�s a real pain the arse to get privates. Is this also the case in Dubai? We�d be able to save a lot of what we earn as we don�t really lead crazy lives, just enough to join a good gym and eat out maybe once a week.

2 � What are the job opportunities like outside of teaching. We both enjoy what we do but equally we don�t see it as a long term career. Are there a lot of opportunities, once in dubai and should we like it, to move in to other industries? I may be restricted as I only speak English but my girlfriend is able to speak English, French and Spanish.

3 � I�m aware that the UAE is considered to be the more liberal of Islamic states. My girlfriend and I will want to live together. Would this be a problem or frowned upon by employers as we are not married? And as a side note what is the general level of accommodation for teachers? We currently live together in a 5mx5m cell, please tell me its bigger then that

4� the UAE has a zero tolerance on drugs, which is fine by me, but does that extend to prescription medication and pharmaceuticals? I have a stomach medicine that I take from time to time that is morphine based? Am I likely to be locked up for brining this into the country?

5 � transport. From what I have found out taxis and buses seem to be the main way of getting around. However, I tend to get a bit travel sick from these and much prefer to cycle anywhere I can. What are the facilities like for cyclists? Are there bike routes around the city? Is it safe to cycle around? Or is it just to hot!?!

That leads me into my final ask. How do people cope with the heat in Dubai? Is it really restrictive to what you can do or is it just a case of getting used to it? Are you still expected to wear shirt/tie etc. to work?

That�s all of them As I said above even if you could answer one question then that would be fantastic.

Many thanks in advance

[naturegirl321]

Try posting on the UAE forum.

[johnslat]

He did (I'm assuming anyone with a user name of DaveW125 who has a girlfriend is a male - but I could be wrong), and he's already received some excellent replies.

[DaveW125]

its true, i did and i have.

thanks