On May 15, it marked my 2 year anniversary of living in the UAE. It got me thinking back to stepping off that plane 2 years ago and all the exciting experiences I have been fortunate enough to have had thanks to what I call 'the best move of my life.'
2 years ago I had recently finished my degree and had been looking for a job at home in the States which proved to be really difficult. During this difficult and frustrating process, I decided to look elsewhere and by elsewhere, I mean out of my own country. I had missed living overseas during the college years and thought it would be a great opportunity to move overseas again. The timing couldn't have been better either - I wasn't committed to a job or a relationship so I figured 'let's go on an adventure.' A lucky opportunity came up in Dubai- the opportunity was to be an English teacher at Wild Wadi waterpark... and 2 months after hearing about the opportunity, I was on a plane ride over. I remember the 2 months leading up to my move, I had a lot of concerned family members- Are you sure you want to move so far away on your own? Will you be safe? Have you done enough research?
The truth was, I didn't have any answers to those questions because I had no clue what to expect. I reassured them that I could answer all of their questions once I moved to Dubai and EXPERIENCED life there. Trust me, I wasn't as confident when the time came to say goodbye to my Mom at the airport, knowing I wouldn't be seeing her for at least a year. It is always the hardest thing in the world leaving my Mom for a significant amount of time. She is my closest friend and confidant and not seeing her for a long period of time is really tough. But as I walked away I knew deep inside that I had to make this move. After all, it was just a year contract and I knew that I could do anything for a year.
Once I finished my 24 hour flight, I got off the plane, collected my bags and went outside crossing my fingers that someone was there waiting for me... and there was! I found a man holding up a sign that had my name on it. I was relieved and couldn't wait to see my new place. It was about midnight in Dubai so I couldn't see very much of it. Once I got to my room, I had a note that told me to be ready by 6 am the following day to be brought to work and sign papers etc... I had about 5 hours to sleep- it was rough. I remember the next day waking up and opening the curtains- only to see sand. There was sand everywhere and in that moment, I panicked. I felt so far away from home, had no way of contacting my Mom yet to let her know I was okay and I thought to myself, 'have I made a mistake?'
Once I got to Wild Wadi, everyone was so friendly and helpful that honestly, it was an easy transition. The first 2 weeks, I planned for my English classes and once they started it felt so natural. I fell in love with the colleagues that I got to teach. They were all so eager to learn (well, most) and just really respectful. They were by far the hardest workers I had ever met- some of them working 6 days a week- 9 hour days and no complaints. They were always happy and tried their absolute best. I often think that they taught me way more than I did them and I am so thankful for that experience. It seriously was an absolute privilege teaching them and getting to know them.
My one year contract, turned into another year and by the end of my second year I started looking for other things which lead me to my current job with Etihad.
The past 2 years have been fun, exciting, stressful. I have experienced so much.
I have fallen in love and got so lucky in meeting the love of my life.
I have learned what it is to truly be passionate about something and I hope to teach again in a few years time.
I have learned how to dive, and got certified :)
I have met even more friends from all over the world
and I am continuing to experience my love for travel.
I can say, hands down that this was the best move I have made and I thank my lucky stars every day that despite questions and concerns, in the end I got on that plane. :) Happy 2 year anniversary UAE, thanks for the best 2 years of my life.
2 years ago I had recently finished my degree and had been looking for a job at home in the States which proved to be really difficult. During this difficult and frustrating process, I decided to look elsewhere and by elsewhere, I mean out of my own country. I had missed living overseas during the college years and thought it would be a great opportunity to move overseas again. The timing couldn't have been better either - I wasn't committed to a job or a relationship so I figured 'let's go on an adventure.' A lucky opportunity came up in Dubai- the opportunity was to be an English teacher at Wild Wadi waterpark... and 2 months after hearing about the opportunity, I was on a plane ride over. I remember the 2 months leading up to my move, I had a lot of concerned family members- Are you sure you want to move so far away on your own? Will you be safe? Have you done enough research?
The truth was, I didn't have any answers to those questions because I had no clue what to expect. I reassured them that I could answer all of their questions once I moved to Dubai and EXPERIENCED life there. Trust me, I wasn't as confident when the time came to say goodbye to my Mom at the airport, knowing I wouldn't be seeing her for at least a year. It is always the hardest thing in the world leaving my Mom for a significant amount of time. She is my closest friend and confidant and not seeing her for a long period of time is really tough. But as I walked away I knew deep inside that I had to make this move. After all, it was just a year contract and I knew that I could do anything for a year.
Once I finished my 24 hour flight, I got off the plane, collected my bags and went outside crossing my fingers that someone was there waiting for me... and there was! I found a man holding up a sign that had my name on it. I was relieved and couldn't wait to see my new place. It was about midnight in Dubai so I couldn't see very much of it. Once I got to my room, I had a note that told me to be ready by 6 am the following day to be brought to work and sign papers etc... I had about 5 hours to sleep- it was rough. I remember the next day waking up and opening the curtains- only to see sand. There was sand everywhere and in that moment, I panicked. I felt so far away from home, had no way of contacting my Mom yet to let her know I was okay and I thought to myself, 'have I made a mistake?'
Once I got to Wild Wadi, everyone was so friendly and helpful that honestly, it was an easy transition. The first 2 weeks, I planned for my English classes and once they started it felt so natural. I fell in love with the colleagues that I got to teach. They were all so eager to learn (well, most) and just really respectful. They were by far the hardest workers I had ever met- some of them working 6 days a week- 9 hour days and no complaints. They were always happy and tried their absolute best. I often think that they taught me way more than I did them and I am so thankful for that experience. It seriously was an absolute privilege teaching them and getting to know them.
My one year contract, turned into another year and by the end of my second year I started looking for other things which lead me to my current job with Etihad.
The past 2 years have been fun, exciting, stressful. I have experienced so much.
I have fallen in love and got so lucky in meeting the love of my life.
I have learned what it is to truly be passionate about something and I hope to teach again in a few years time.
I have learned how to dive, and got certified :)
I have met even more friends from all over the world
and I am continuing to experience my love for travel.
I can say, hands down that this was the best move I have made and I thank my lucky stars every day that despite questions and concerns, in the end I got on that plane. :) Happy 2 year anniversary UAE, thanks for the best 2 years of my life.
