Skip to main content

Reality check




Many people have been asking me how things are going in Dubai and the truth is: things have been difficult!

It’s not easy leaving everything behind, moving to a new country, starting a new job and making new friends. After almost 2 weeks, I still have no internet, no car and very little furniture in my apartment.

If I break down my day (from Sunday to Thursday), it looks something like this:
I get up at 5:55 a.m., go to work, come home around 4:30-5:00 p.m., eat dinner (in my bed), do some work (in my bed), write in my journal (in my bed)…then, I go to bed (in my bed)!!! Ok, wait! I forgot to mention that I do go for a walk almost every night (not in my bed)! :)

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve done some fun things as well! I’ve gone to many malls, I’ve had some great meals, I had a barbecue on the beach and I’ve met some pretty cool people.

It’s obvious that moving away from everything you know will have it’s ups and downs, but one thing is for sure…I will never ever regret my decision to move abroad no matter how hard things may seem to get at times, because I know that, in the end, my expectations will be met.

My expectations:

-professional growth: getting IB training, gaining experience teaching in an international school, learning more strategies on how to teach French as a second language

-personal growth: pushing myself into new situations, living on my own, making new friends, travelling and learning about new places and cultures

I’ve always agreed that overcoming obstacles makes a person stronger…but, seriously watch out, soon I’ll be able to lift a bus! :)

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

In a World Full of Noise, Let’s Show Understanding

“Not everyone processes uncertainty the same way, and that’s okay.” The past few days have been unexpected. What started as a normal Saturday - coaching at the gym, breakfast with a friend, catching up on work with the TV on in the background - quickly changed when I heard a loud “boom” coming from outside my apartment. At first, many of us in the community assumed it came from one of the many nearby construction sites. But, within the next few hours, the loud sounds came again and again, and word spread that these were missiles and drones being intercepted in the sky. I’ve always felt safe here in the UAE, and believe it or not, to a certain extent, I still do. Like many other residents here, I have a lot of trust in the country I’ve chosen to call home for over 11 years. I’ve seen it overcome challenges in the past, such as COVID and floods, and I’ve witnessed how much the leadership cares for the residents, particularly over the last few days.  That said, it’s no secret that I a...

Winter Walks & Warm Talks

  “Some moments are soft in pace, but solid in memory.” A few days in London felt like the perfect way to begin my winter travels.  Reconnecting with friends I hadn’t seen in a few years, reminiscing about the good old Dubai days, sharing favourite memories, and laughing until our cheeks hurt made the short stop incredibly special. It was one of those easy, unhurried breaks where every moment felt light, warm, and full of joy. The city itself was glowing with Christmas magic. Twinkling lights, festive decorations everywhere, and relaxed strolls past decorated homes, Big Ben, the London Eye, Christmas markets, Covent Garden, and charming streets and corners brought the season to life. A truly beautiful way to kick off the holiday travels.

Priceless

“Sometimes the most meaningful journeys are the ones we never planned.” About two and a half weeks ago, I made a very spontaneous decision. After weeks of feeling anxious due to the unstable situation in the Middle East ( and disappointed my trip to Thailand had been cancelled ), I woke up one morning with a clear need to get away. It was impulsive, a little chaotic, and definitely not thought through, but I needed a mental break. I needed to step away from the alerts, the sounds of interceptions in the sky, and the constant ‘war’ chatter. So, I went for it and I booked a flight to France that same day ( who knew I’d be back in France so quickly - but it felt right! ). What I didn’t expect was everything that would come with that decision. Yes, I found moments of peace; time to slow down, to breathe, to step away from the noise I had been surrounded by. But the trip became so much more than that. It brought a sense of calm and joy in a way I hadn’t anticipated. Getting to see my brothe...