Been offered job....

bluenoseam

If it was me, i'd take it in a heartbeat - nothing about this place at the minute makes me believe we're heading for better times any time in the next 2 years, so think of it this way, digs paid, no council tax, no income tax, much better in terms of scenery (well, ok so maybe weather!) & 2 years of that as opposed to supply teaching, income tax, council tax, peeing rain & kids who'd beat you senseless if given half the chance.

It may prove to be expensive & bearing in mind the cultural difference it might seem daunting, but in 40 years do you want to be sitting telling grandkids "hey, i worked my tail off as a teacher and regretted not taking a single 2 year deal to teach abroad" or "guys, you really should see Dubai!"

hieveryone

Thanks, good reply!

And I've taught those children who have wanted to beat me - and have!

Techno

Go for it - my brother and sister-in-law both work in Dubai and they love it - there is a brilliant ex=pat social life. Just make sure you stick to the rules around alcohol and 'appropriate behaviour' and you are laughing

briona

hieveryone wrote: »

in Dubai.

I'm a teacher and things here are sh!te. Worse than sh!te. Conditions are worsening and we seem to be getting steam rollered into accepting. I'm 'only' supply so have no real rights as it is anyway.

Anyway, I've been offered a job in Dubai. A huge part of me wants to take it. I have no boyfriend, no real close friends and am stuck in a bit of a rut still at home with my mum and dad.

I'm 26 and always thought I'd be settled down by now. I do want to be. It just hasn't happened for me? They look for a 2 year contract minimum to be taken up.

I'm so confused - what would you do if you were me?

I'm an EFL teacher and, following a short stint in Vietnam, I'm currently living and working in Portugal. I love it, but as with every job, there are good days and bad days. Problems are exacerbated by language and cultural barriers, so before getting on a flight, ask yourself seriously whether you actually WANT to work abroad (in Dubai or elsewhere) or whether you feel you should accept the job simply because there's not much else around.

If you do take it, then take it for the right reasons. Not having a boyfriend or any real close friends is NOT a good enough reason to move to another country. You may find you end up in the same situation just half a world away from home...

KiKi

Go, go, go!

It's only a 6.25 hour flight, so it's not even that far. Just be prepared for a real change in culture and that you won't understand the language - sometimes it's the really small things (like walking into a supermarket and not recognising any brands!) that make the difference. You don't need to settle down at 26 - with nothing to hold you in the UK it's the perfect opportunity to move away, change your life, and at the least reflect on your life. It's a wonderful opportunity.

And don't forget, you get tax-free salaries in Dubai!!

KiKi

hieveryone

Thanks, good reasoning. I think that's what's worrying me, that I don't really have much here, will I have much there? Or still have 'nothing' as it were, but with sunshine?!

I have worked abroad before, albeit for shorter periods of time.

From what I understand, a good proportion of Dubai is English speaking, and the school is an English based school (i.e it has a partner school in the UK).

Alcmene

Hi

If you are keen to work abroad then look around, there are many international schools currently recruiting teachers. Read school reviews BEFORE you sign anything.

I think that as a single female, there are much better places to go than the Middle East, if you have never been there you are in for a shock.

I would recommend Asia, somewhere like Singapore, Hong Kong, or Shanghai would be better options.

KiKi

hieveryone wrote: »

Thanks, good reasoning. I think that's what's worrying me, that I don't really have much here, will I have much there? Or still have 'nothing' as it were, but with sunshine?!

If you don't go you'll never know.

I disagree that not having ties in the UK is not a good enough reason to go. Sometimes it's simply a change that makes the difference - or shows you how much you appreciate what you have. I had a mortgage and cats in the UK and still went and worked abroad whilst someone house-sat for me. Best thing I ever, ever did. I had a lot *less* there, but that didn't matter; I was doing something different, and it showed me what I *didn't* want from my life and I've made lots of changes since. I'm so much happier now.

My point is that you will have 'nothing' when you first get there, but you will find friends, and who knows what else? And if you don't, and if it doesn't work out, you've earned yourself some nice tax-free cash and can come back to the UK. And, actually, you will have something different - your own apartment and independence!

Obviously my experience isn't going to be the same for everyone. But having no ties gives you that flexibility - for now - to just do something different. It might work out, it might not. It might only be for a short period of time, but once you do have ties, taking up any offer like this is much, much harder.

You hate your job - will you be kicking yourself in 6 months when you still feel the same and nothing's changed in your life? Only you know the answer to that.

KiKi

KiKi

Alcmene wrote: »

If you are keen to work abroad then look around, there are many international schools currently recruiting teachers. Read school reviews BEFORE you sign anything.

Good advice.

I think that as a single female, there are much better places to go than the Middle East, if you have never been there you are in for a shock. I would recommend Asia, somewhere like Singapore, Hong Kong, or Shanghai would be better options.

I disagree with this, though! There are culture shocks wherever you go. In my experience Dubai is safe, relatively 'western' and of all the places in the ME, I would say one of the easiest to make a transition to, especially if it's temporary. I wouldn't say it's any less of a culture shock than China or Singapore, certainly! I found Singapore incredibly difficult to be in.

But I guess everyone sees places differently, and what's difficult or a shock for some isn't for others.

KiKi

jillymit

Go for it!
The social life is really good, weather amazing and not half as strict culture wise as people think. If you respect their rules you'll be fine.

Save, save, save is my advice! It's a great place for shopping and you can easily spend all that lovely money and come back with little more than you went with.
Just something to bear in mind though, if the position is 'UK tax free' there are rules to follow re. length of visits to the UK and you need to be out of the country for a full financial year so as not to owe tax on your return.
Probably why most contracts for ex Pats are for a couple of years or more.
Thought it might be worth mentioning
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/Taxes/LeavingOrComingIntoTheUK/DG_10026136

http://www.dubaiexpat.com/

HTH.