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Croatian Expat Living in UAE - Interview with Kristina
| Published: | 6 Apr at 9 AM |
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Filed: Interviews,United Arab Emirates
Kristina is the founder and editor of the My little notebook blog. My little notebook is where she shares ideas for everyday living and occasional entertaining, for the love of kids world, for the passion of photography and the art of travelling. Kristina used to work as PR and Training manager for Dior, she also worked as a freelance travel journalist in the past. Today Kristina lives in Dubai with her family and is constantly looking for new inspirations in life. Kristina's expat blog is called My little notebook (see listing here)
Beach in Fujeirah
Where are you originally from?
I'm from Croatia, but my origins are Greek, Montenegrin and French.
In which country and city are you living now?
I live in Dubai in United Arab Emirates with my family.
How long have you lived in United Arab Emirates and how long are you planning to stay?
I've been living in Dubai for 5 years now and I'm not planning to move anytime soon. I'm happy here!
Ripe market in Safa park on Friday morning.Why did you move to United Arab Emirates and what do you do?
I moved here because of my husband. He already had an established carrier in Dubai so we wanted to start our life together in this city. I'm working as a freelance photographer and party decorator from time to time, and I recently started blogging.
Did you bring family with you?
No, unfortunately my family stayed in my home country. But I started my own family here in Dubai.
How did you find the transition to living in a foreign country?
At first it was a bit difficult. I came from a different continent, different culture and with different habits...but very soon I adapted to the life in Dubai and I started loving it. Making friends was the hardest for me because I don't easily bond with people.
Was it easy making friends and meeting people; do you mainly socialise with other expats?
As I already said...that was the most difficult for me. In the beginning I was going out only with my husband's friends but with time, especially after I had a baby, I met some lovely mums. We became very close and they're as family now. When it comes to friendship nationality doesn't matter to me...I have friends from Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia.
That's a good thing about Dubai, you get to meet people from all over the world.
My son and I at The Farm restaurant.What are the best things to do in the area; anything to recommend to future expats?
Dubai is a great city, to visit and to live in. There's so much going on in Dubai, enough for everyone's taste and interest. But If I needed to recommend only few spots in Dubai I would say: JBR walk and its beach, Madinat Jumeirah for dining, Safa park for leisure and Dubai Mall for attractions and shopping. Oh...and Al Quoz area for art lovers since recently!
What do you enjoy most about living in United Arab Emirates?
I enjoy quite many things here in Dubai...but most of all I enjoy trips to the desert. Every time it's a magical experience. You have to experience it to know what I'm talking about...
How does the cost of living in United Arab Emirates compare to home?
Living in Dubai is costly, let's just put it that way. The living standard is high and there are many things on your plate...rent, schooling, daily life, airline tickets back home...and then there's 100 things going on in Dubai and you don't want to miss a thing so you're always tempted to spend more.
Happiness can be found in a desert.What negatives, if any, are there to living in United Arab Emirates?
Sometimes I feel there's a lack of professionalism in certain industries.
If you could pick one piece of advice to anyone moving to United Arab Emirates, what would it be?
If you're moving to Dubai with children register your child at schools as early as possible because some schools have waiting lists up to 4 years.
And do not bring your winter clothes because you won't need it here, hehe!
What has been the hardest aspect to your expat experience so far?
I can not recall any...
When you finally return home, how do you think you'll cope with repatriation?
I think I would be fine...but I'm not planning to return to my home country anytime soon. My life is here in Dubai...where my family is.
What are your top 5 expat tips for anyone following in your footsteps?
My little notebook is a lifestyle blog, it's a place where I mostly share things I like and I find useful to my audience around the globe. I blog about many things but mostly things I'm passionate about. I put quality in front of quantity. I hope my blog will be amusing, interesting and useful to you.
How can you be contacted for further advice to future expats coming to your area?
Via email [email protected] or my facebook account: My little notebook page.
Kristina is a Croatian expat living in United Arab Emirates. Blog description: My little notebook is a blog where I share mostly things I like and I find useful for my audience around the globe. I blog about Dubai, Beirut and Zagreb, about interesting places around the globe, kids, entertaining, living and traveling.
Beach in Fujeirah
Here's the interview with Kristina...
Where are you originally from?
I'm from Croatia, but my origins are Greek, Montenegrin and French.
In which country and city are you living now?
I live in Dubai in United Arab Emirates with my family.
How long have you lived in United Arab Emirates and how long are you planning to stay?
I've been living in Dubai for 5 years now and I'm not planning to move anytime soon. I'm happy here!
Ripe market in Safa park on Friday morning.
I moved here because of my husband. He already had an established carrier in Dubai so we wanted to start our life together in this city. I'm working as a freelance photographer and party decorator from time to time, and I recently started blogging.
Did you bring family with you?
No, unfortunately my family stayed in my home country. But I started my own family here in Dubai.
How did you find the transition to living in a foreign country?
At first it was a bit difficult. I came from a different continent, different culture and with different habits...but very soon I adapted to the life in Dubai and I started loving it. Making friends was the hardest for me because I don't easily bond with people.
Was it easy making friends and meeting people; do you mainly socialise with other expats?
As I already said...that was the most difficult for me. In the beginning I was going out only with my husband's friends but with time, especially after I had a baby, I met some lovely mums. We became very close and they're as family now. When it comes to friendship nationality doesn't matter to me...I have friends from Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia.
That's a good thing about Dubai, you get to meet people from all over the world.
My son and I at The Farm restaurant.
Dubai is a great city, to visit and to live in. There's so much going on in Dubai, enough for everyone's taste and interest. But If I needed to recommend only few spots in Dubai I would say: JBR walk and its beach, Madinat Jumeirah for dining, Safa park for leisure and Dubai Mall for attractions and shopping. Oh...and Al Quoz area for art lovers since recently!
What do you enjoy most about living in United Arab Emirates?
I enjoy quite many things here in Dubai...but most of all I enjoy trips to the desert. Every time it's a magical experience. You have to experience it to know what I'm talking about...
How does the cost of living in United Arab Emirates compare to home?
Living in Dubai is costly, let's just put it that way. The living standard is high and there are many things on your plate...rent, schooling, daily life, airline tickets back home...and then there's 100 things going on in Dubai and you don't want to miss a thing so you're always tempted to spend more.
Happiness can be found in a desert.
Sometimes I feel there's a lack of professionalism in certain industries.
If you could pick one piece of advice to anyone moving to United Arab Emirates, what would it be?
If you're moving to Dubai with children register your child at schools as early as possible because some schools have waiting lists up to 4 years.
And do not bring your winter clothes because you won't need it here, hehe!
What has been the hardest aspect to your expat experience so far?
I can not recall any...
When you finally return home, how do you think you'll cope with repatriation?
I think I would be fine...but I'm not planning to return to my home country anytime soon. My life is here in Dubai...where my family is.
What are your top 5 expat tips for anyone following in your footsteps?
- Before renting/buying a house in Dubai look around...there are many nice areas for living and not all of them are popular among expats.
- Try to find a well paid job because life here is very costly, especially if you're family with kids.
- Register your child at school long in advance because getting a place at best schools of Dubai is as hard as winning a lottery!
- Stay open minded and you'll get to meet incredible people from all over the world who will enrich your life in Dubai.
- Embrace the desert!
My little notebook is a lifestyle blog, it's a place where I mostly share things I like and I find useful to my audience around the globe. I blog about many things but mostly things I'm passionate about. I put quality in front of quantity. I hope my blog will be amusing, interesting and useful to you.
How can you be contacted for further advice to future expats coming to your area?
Via email [email protected] or my facebook account: My little notebook page.
About the author
Kristina is a Croatian expat living in United Arab Emirates. Blog description: My little notebook is a blog where I share mostly things I like and I find useful for my audience around the globe. I blog about Dubai, Beirut and Zagreb, about interesting places around the globe, kids, entertaining, living and traveling.
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