In December, the Over-Thinking Expat (aka Kimberly) shared with LEW a story about how becoming an expat has made her emotionally resilient. Today, Kimberly returns to share her story about life as an expat in Abu Dhabi.
I stepped outside the Abu Dhabi Atlanta
My possessions at that
moment consisted of 2 suitcases (one of teaching supplies), a two-year job
contract, and my passport. Just one month before, I couldn't even have pointed
out the UAE on a globe. Before accepting this teaching job, all I knew about Abu Dhabi was that it was somewhere near Saudi Arabia and that Garfield
Those first hours in
the UAE contained lessons for much of my time here. Information is revealed
slowly or not at all. Little is confirmed until the last possible minute, so
much of life comes as a surprise. Things rarely go as planned, mostly because I
have little knowledge of or control of the plans, but the end result is at best
positive, or at worst, entertaining in hindsight.
 |
| Abu Dhabi skyline |
Most of my assumptions
and stereotypes about life in the Middle East
were turned on their head shortly after arrival. Some of the strongest, most
opinionated women I've met speak powerfully and effectively from behind a veil.
Not only do Emirati women drive, but they are strongly encouraged towards high
achievement in their education, careers, as well as familial duties. The
streets of this Islamic Gulf country echo with the call to prayer five times
daily, and many cultural practises and traditions reflect a deep and inspiring
spirituality. Abu Dhabi
The UAE is a
fascinating study in contrast. Here exists both extreme poverty and wealth most
of us couldn't imagine. Many citizens and expats live assisted by a household
staff and amass luxury items by the dozens. You can visit the world's tallest
building and witness the daily construction of innovative and opulent
architecture. However, these buildings were built by expatriate laborers who are
paid slave wages and housed in slum-like conditions, even in this country of
vast wealth. I present these contrasts as neither praise nor criticism for the
country that has treated me very well for the past two and a half years.
Instead, I encourage you to take the time to do your own research, or even
visit this country that has made an incredible journey in its short 41 years as
a nation. 
Dealing
with the daily eccentricities, joys and frustrations of a different culture is
much easier with the help of good friends, and the UAE has brought incredible
people into my life. My first friends were my fellow teachers, all hired here
as part of a movement towards bilingual education. In practise, this meant that
classes of 20-25 Arabic-speaking children were suddenly presented with a
teacher who basically stood before them holding pictures and making sounds they
couldn't understand. If you've seen or read any Peanuts cartoons and are
familiar with Snoopy's teacher, that was us. A brand new educational policy and
hours a day of, “Wah wah wah wah wah,”
meant weeks of confusion, chaos, and tears (and I'm not just referring
to the students.) That bonds teachers together pretty quickly, and a few months
of experience and team work made the work day easier, and children are not only
learning, but love their guest teachers. We are also partnered with local
Emirati teachers, who provided us not only with linguistic and moral support,
but also with access to this remarkable host culture. Incredible friendships
will always be the greatest blessing of my life here. 
Another
great aspect of life here is the unique fact that eighty per cent of the UAE's
population consists of expats. I have never lived anywhere where I have had the
privilege of meeting so many people from so many cultures on a daily basis.
Where else would a normal dinner outing include friends from the US , Canada ,
Pakistan , Lebanon and Japan
*
Like the
Bedouins of the desert, I have a nomadic heart. I don't where my next move will
take me. The UAE's location smack dab in the middle of the globe combined with
summer teaching holidays has provided me with some incredible travel
opportunities that I'm not quite ready to give up just yet. That said, in a
high expat population, friends come and leave much faster than they do in other
places, and I'm not sure how long it will be before my heart hears a similar
call. As I said earlier, I came here for a challenge and for something
different from the norm, and daily life here meets these requirements. The
vision behind this young country is ambitious and they have a lot to achieve,
but they've come a long way in 41 years, and I'm looking forward to seeing what
happens in Abu Dhabi
Follow Kimberly/The Overthinking Expat on Twitter , Facebook and follow her travels, experiences and observations on her blog.
