Job Discussion Forums

[yavannah]

Hi. I was thinking about teaching ESL in Dubai, although having talked to someone in another forum on this site it sounds like with my qualifications (recently completed CELTA and bachelor's in English) I'm probably not qualified enough.

But what I'd like to know is what people who have lived there think about the environment for single moms? Part of the reason I was leaning towards Dubai was that I have a friend working there already, plus I've found I've been able to get a lot of great advice from the ExpatWomen forum. I've talked to a few single moms there, but most of the women on that forum seem to be married, stay-at-home moms, so obviously they don't really have much perspective on this.

Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[Wigwam]

Don't need to tell you about homehelp. I have some single mom friends and they cope well. They have a life but you must have someone you can trust to look after the kids while you work (and play). If you can sort something out (use your friend to arrange this) then you have every chance to make it a success. Dubai is a fun place to bring up your kids though you need to drive and like car racing!

[yavannah]

Are your single mom friends divorcees or women who were never married? I'm the latter and I've heard that makes it a bit harder. I'd heard on the ExpatWomen forum that the Brits had a short form birth certificate that didn't include the father's name and that immigration accepted that. Then other places I've heard you need proof of the father's existence and a letter giving permission from him for you to bring the child into the country. I'm not going to be getting that because the guy has fallen off the face of the earth.

I was also curious if people thought it would be possible for someone with my qualifications to get a teaching job that paid enough to support two people. My son is five, so at least he won't be eathing me out of house and home for a few years yet. But then there is school and childcare to think about.

[veiledsentiments]

To be honest, with your limited credentials, I don't think your salary and benefit options would support you and a child in a country that is not cheap. If you had an MA and the experience that would put you into the upper level jobs, it would be different. But the costs for housing and education for children is rising rapidly.

I know that there are single mothers working there, but I can't speak to the problems getting the visa. The inability to get approval from the father may be a major hurdle for you. The Muslim world does not look kindly upon unmarried mothers.

VS