Job Discussion Forums

[sanuk]

Hello Everyone,

I am seeking advice from forum members regarding the pros/cons of living/working in either Abu Dhabi - for Zayed U or Dubai - for HCT-DWC. In either case I would be working as a career counsellor.

I have school aged children so any comments regarding good elementary schools, quality of life issues as they relate to living in either area with small children and general expat life would be very helpful.

On a secondary note ---I am also not sure what kind of salary is offered to this type of position. I have 8 years experience and I am currently pursuing my MA in Counselling Psychology and have a 2 professional certifications (Cognitive-Behavioural Counselling and Myers-Briggs Facilitation - I think relevent in the career development arena!)

Kind Regards,
Teresa

[veiledsentiments]

Sanuk

Are we to assume that you actually have an offer from these two locations? The salary and benefits would be about equal.

But based on my knowledge of both of those locations, it is a very easy choice. ZU in Abu Dhabi.

DWC has a history of problems in the past, though there have been no big stories in the last 2 or 3 years. Plus none of that may be relevent to your position as a counsellor. Personally I find Dubai too crowded and expensive. If you were young, single, and into partying, it would be better than AD.

For someone with children, Abu Dhabi is much better. The elementary schools are equal for the two places.

JMHO (BTW... if your choices were ZU or Abu Dhabi Women's I would have had to tell you to just flip a coin. )

VS

[sanuk]

Hi VS

regarding 2 offers in hand - no- i am at the interview stage. given i would be moving my whole family i want to be prepared to make an informed choice (or as informed as i can get given i am so far away)

thanks for the advice regarding the locations

Teresa

[younggeorge]

VS is right, as usual. DWC, particularly its Director, has a bit of a high-tension reputation - still does, even though there've been no major crises in the past couple of years. Dubai is getting nightmarishly crowded.

Both ZU and HCT, however, recruit centrally and don't normally tell you where you're going till they make you an offer: are you sure those two campuses are the choices?

[sanuk]

Thanks..the positions were listed with these locations listed in the job ads .....so again I am making the assumption this is correct?



Sanuk

[younggeorge]

If the ads said so, then that's it - it's probably easier to assign careers consellors than teachers, since there are fewer of them.

In that case, I don't have much to add - good luck with the interviews and if the offers have comparable conditions, which they probably will, go for Abu Dhabi ZU as the less stressful option.

[well-travelled]

I'd agree with younggeorge - ZU in Abu Dhabi is far preferrable to HCT in Dubai, both job-wise & lifestyle wise. Dubai is getting more and more absurd with regard to traffic, rents etc...

well-travelled