Job Discussion Forums

[txmsk]

Hello everyone,

Well I am applying to a particular summer position in the UAE and I had some questions.

It came up in my interview that the culture is vastly different and that the interviewer thought that I might potentially be liable to get culture shocked.

Well... I don't know what to say. I taught in China and in Russia... those cultures are vastly different when put next to 'Anglo-American' culture.

Just how different is the culture there in the UAE? What kind of things are supposed to culture shock me ?

Students who learn English in Russia want a strong (read that as in authority-figure), professional teacher to lead them to success. It's not considered 'correct' to talk about religion, sex, politics... Poking fun of any family members is taboo (so no 'your mama jokes)... the economy is terrible here and sometimes teachers don't get paid on time... You are a foreigner through and through, no matter what you might say or do... What else... the police can stop you for no reason and might as for a bribe... the service industry here is in its infancy... Anglo-Americans are expected to have fair hair and eyes...

But is what I have mentioned something that could cause culture shock? I have learned to deal with such things, ignore them, or take them for what they are.

Any ideas? Comments welcomed.

I'm just a bit peeved. Russia is a difficult place... how bad can the UAE be?

[jdl]

Relax. You will be fine. There are many choices/options. You can live the expat life with gyms, bars, British clubs etc; you can live a fairly secluded life unto yourself; you can get out and about to some extent although the emirates are known to 'stick to their own'...your students may be the best guide here. Some parts of UAE are more American then Las Vegas/Rodeo Drive/Fifth Ave combined; the Asian worker ghettos are....ghettos.
Use the same sensibilities and sensitivities you used in China and Russia,assuming you got along there, and you will find your way easily. There is organized crime, prostitution, the religious right, the ugly foreigner, the patronizing nationals...all extremes....just like wherever you have been. Take a good look around when you get there you can decide where you want to fit in. For me the larger adjustment issue was one of 'city vs country living'. I love the 'bush' and smaller towns so Dubai and Abu Dhabi would not be my choice.

Enjoy the adventure with eyes wide open and some good old common sense. If after some time you need a change try Oman....wonderful place for a country type like me.

[jdl]

P.S.

Your biggest adjustment may be the climate and geograhy. IT IS HOT! and very STICKY at times. Limited natural vegetation....desert. But if you are a city dweller the climate and geography are 'controlled' to a large extent...still hot though!

[anaxiforminges]

I'm already bracing myself for heat rashes (i.e. mysterious little bubbles that pop up all over my hands when I'm in extremely hot places).

On on a worrying note, my wife was complaining today that it was hot here today.....it was 74 degrees on the dial.

[cmp45]

[veiledsentiments]

74... or as they call it there 23C... (time to learn Celsius!!)

That is when we start to dig out the sweaters... really. It takes a couple years to adjust, but most people do.

Now is the time of year when it sometimes gets down to 80 at night. Soon the low will be 90s... and you won't see lows in the 70s until... maybe late October. Highs will be in the 100-120 range (40s C)

But again, everything is air-conditioned - often over air-conditioned.

VS

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

[jdl]

Oh, just can not resist! Sorry. Anyone else?

How hot is it?

1. It is sooo hot that walking bare foot in the sand causes first degree burns on the soles of the feet. (this one is actually true)

2. It is soooo hot that water poured from a cup evaporates before it hits the ground.

3. It is soooo hot that even the mammals are cold blooded as a defense

4. ..............

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

La, but it is hot enuf to make you sweat buckets and be EXTREMELY uncomfortable, plus make "mysterious little bubbles ...pop up all over my hands...

Again,,,Ewww!!!

NCTBA

[txmsk]

Well, I figured that it'd be a very hot place; I'm from Texas, and it does get pretty hot there, but in Dallas, the temperature get up over 40-45C unless you sit in a car with the windows up!

The question about living in a different culture just threw me off a little. I've lived in Russia for nearly 4 years and there are still tons of (un)pleasant surprises here. But, you just learn to deal with them.

He mentioned something about talking about families in the UAE is taboo, can anyone shed light on that?

He also mentioned that the classroom culture of young (14-17 years) Emiratis can be hectic or get out of control easily. Any thoughts on that?

Again, my experience in Russia has hardened me a lot I'd say, while making me a bit relaxed at the same time if that makes sense. You really learn to wait, be patient, and expect nothing soon here due to people's lack of care, laziness, or whatever else But when you get whatever it is you need/want without any obstacles, it's always a surprise and cause for celebration!

[Afra]

46 today in Dubai and has been around 27 - 30+ at night for some time now.
I talk about families with my students, there is no problem if you are sensible and respectful, as you would be anywhere. They will only tell you what they want you to know but some of them are very open once they feel they know you. Don't believe everything you are told, many people who are not teachers never meet an Emirati. However, from what my students tell me, teaching in the governement schools would be challenging.

[newtogolf]

Hi Afra, What do you mean by government school? State-owned secondary schools and universities?

BTW, it's already 46c there? It's still May...

[veiledsentiments]

Most people don't realize that May is one of, if not the, hottest months of the year. Also as most cities are on the sea, with the prevailing winds off the sea, the humidity is stifling for much of the year. (worse than Houston) Most years the daytime highs surge into the 40s with the arrival of May and don't drop until late October or early November. These are the days when you often get up in the morning and there is water pouring down the outside of your windows from the combination of your AC and the humidity level outside.

Discussion of family depends on the level/age of the students and the sexes. I think women have much more leeway on this, but even so, if I were teaching a group of high school or older males, I wouldn't get too much into the women of the family - stick to the topic of fathers and brothers. They will not want to discuss their mother or sisters in front of other male students. If you are female and teaching women... there are few limits.

I have only heard stories about teaching the higher grades in the government schools and it sounded a bit scary to me. The boys especially are terribly spoiled and willful... add Testosterone and high energy... yikes...

VS

[helmsman]

I would add that the level of culture shock that you experience will partly be determined by your race and nationality. People here tend to size one up quickly based on skin color, physical features, clothes and accent. Even highly qualified westerners who are not white sometimes find they are treated not as well as their pale faced colleagues. At some of the less reputable schools teachers are hired simply because of their complexion regardless of their English ability and qualifications, over more qualified non-whites from, for example the subcontinent.

You will find that some of the worst snobs here in the Gulf are western lower class who suddenly find themselves fairly well paid with good benefits, health club memberships, etc and start to imagine themselves as superior to everyone else!

[anaxiforminges]