Expat Interview With Nada, Saudi Expat Living in Dubai

Nada is a 30-something Dubai-based Saudi female lifestyle blogger and writer who is on an endless journey of self-discovery and self-development. In the year 2009, she moved to London to take a one year intensive foundation course in Fashion Media and Communication at the prestigious London College of Fashion. Little did she know, that this was only the first baby step in her career changing journey! She managed to successfully pass one term of A-level equivalent intensive study, before deciding to move to Dubai in April of 2010 to intern at publishing companies. Nada's expat blog is called Undefined Declarations (see listing here)

Here's the interview with Nada...

Where are you originally from?
I'm originally from Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia. It's a city in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, close to Bahrain.

In which country and city are you living now?
I'm currently living in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

How long have you lived in Dubai and how long are you planning to stay?
I've been living here for three and a half years. I don't plan on moving back home or moving to another country any time in the near future. So for now, no plans of moving to another country.

Why did you move to UAE and what do you do?
I moved in search of a better and enhanced lifestyle, since I come from very restricted country and culture. I'm a lifestyle blogger and a journalism student at Murdoch University Dubai.

Did you bring family with you to UAE?
No, my family is basically the main reason behind my move! I have over-protective and controlling parents who used to object to me even going to nearby Bahrain with friends only, and without their presence!

How did you find the transition to living in a foreign country?
This isn't my first time to move to live in another country all by myself. I've lived in Switzerland when I was only 18 and most recently in London in the year 2009.

I'm very big on taking risks, so I didn't find the moves very difficult. Maybe when you have difficult parents, every other obstacle pales in comparison or something! But I believe that with every move, I learned something new and gained more knowledge and survival skills.

Was it easy making friends and meeting people; do you mainly socialise with other expats?
I must admit that making friends in Dubai is not an easy task when you first move here. It can be a very lonely city if you don't know anyone. So it took me some time to make friends and meet new people. Yes, I mainly socialise with other expats as I like to learn about other cultures and I feel that I can connect more with the expats.

What are the best things to do in the area; anything to recommend to future expats?
I would say to take advantage of the pleasant winters by spending time outdoors as much as you can. And frequenting the beach in the hotter months. I would also suggest for them to check the web site "meetup.com" to find relevant activities and groups in the area that match their interests.

What do you enjoy most about living in Dubai?
The diversified culture, the relevance to my cultural background and origins and the opportunities of growth and personal development.

How does the cost of living in Dubai compare to Saudi Arabia?
The cost of living in Dubai is more expensive than in Saudi. However, the city has standards that match other International cities. So the cost is still considered to be competitive when compared to other International cities worldwide.

What negatives, if any, are there to living in the UAE?
The fact that the streets are not walkable like London for example. So you must depend on public transportation, taxis or driving your own car to get from one place to another. The weather also doesn't permit that you walk for long distances.

If you could pick one piece of advice to anyone moving here, what would it be?
Try to educate yourself about the laws and the culture in the Gulf region in particular. As we have some general guidelines that can't be tolerated in relation to different topics and aspects. So it would be good to learn about those rules prior to deciding to move here.

What has been the hardest aspect to your expat experience so far?
Being able to make it career wise has been very challenging. As I have been trying to change careers into journalism since I moved here, but I found it highly challenging and competitive. So I would say that the most difficult aspect was trying to achieve the goal of establishing myself to become financially independent. Sadly, my father still supports me to this day!

When you finally return home, how do you think you'll cope with repatriation?
I don't plan on returning home!

What are your top 5 expat tips for anyone following in your footsteps?

1. Make a short visit to the city before deciding to move, to get a better understanding of what it feels like. As it may not suit your preferences, lifestyle or personal taste. You could find that the weather doesn't suit you too.
2. Research the rules and guidelines related to the region and familiarize yourself with all the legal rules and do's and don'ts.
3. Try to connect with a friend or relative who lives in the city. They will be of great value and help to you as it can get overwhelming when you have to do everything on your own. So they can assist you and help get you settled in when you first move.
4. Make your first visit in the cool winter months if possible. As the temperatures soar in the summer months and it could be uncomfortable to some people who are not used to the heat and humidity.
5. If you are looking to move to Dubai for work, try to connect with potential employers and explore opportunities before moving here. As you could get disappointed if you had high hopes and expectations and those were not met!

Tell us a bit about your own expat blog.
My expat blog is a lifestyle blog that covers various topics. These include reviews on events, places, spa treatments, beach clubs and travels. What makes my blog unique is that it comes from a personal perspective of someone who is originally from the Gulf region and has grown up in it. Apart from living in Saudi and Dubai, I've also lived in Bahrain while I was studying University.
So my views and knowledge come from a trust worthy and reliable source and point of view. I can also give expats some insight about the culture in the region and the norms and values that are attached to society and the individuals living in it.

How can you be contacted for further advice to future expats coming to your area?
I can be contacted via my blog.

How can readers and other expats connect with me on a more frequent basis than on my blog?
They can get updates when I share a new blog post and learn more about my culture, region and expat journey by becoming a fan of my Blog's Facebook Page.

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