I’ve just arrived in Dubai to start my secondment in the Middle East to further support our wonderful customers and introduce HUB to new schools across the region.
I’ve been to the UAE many times in the past, and so I thought I understood the region a little bit, but boy was I wrong to assume I knew what was in store for me.
After my first week in the UAE, here are a few things not to do if you’re considering moving to the region. Learn from my mistakes and definitely don’t:
1. Forget a charger (twice)
Upon arriving at the airport, I did the old pockets and bag check (got to check the passport hasn’t vanished every 15-30 minutes). I realised that whilst I had my wallet, passport and laptop, I didn’t bring a mobile phone charger with me.
After going through security I thought I’d check out WHSmith and get one for the flight (with my phone already on 10% I was a little concerned about going insane not listening to some music on the plane). A new charger in the airport set me back the best part of £30, won’t be doing that again in a hurry!
I then proceeded to leave it in a café and had to run back during the final call (I was prepared to risk missing the flight for it!). Managed to get back just before the gate closed though…
2. Book an apartment with check-in at 3pm if your flight arrives at 7am that morning
Upon arrival in Dubai (and taxiing on the runway for a good hour before hopping on a bus) I was excited to get to my apartment. I’ve never been able to sleep on planes, so having a kip sitting up in an airport chair wasn’t the most comfortable.
I WhatsApped the landlord to arrange check-in. Luckily they were able to meet me at 12pm at the apartment so I didn’t have to stay for the full 8 hours in the airport.
3. Get a black taxi from the airport – unless you literally have money to burn.
They’re definitely not the same as the regular taxis and probably cost me 5x the price…
FYI the regular taxis in Dubai are cream with a coloured roof.
4. Spend too much time (and money) on talabat too long before payday
Talabat (the Dubai equivalent of Uber Eats/Deliveroo/Just Eat) has a wide selection of amazing food that can be delivered within 30 minutes. I made the mistake of getting a little too excited on the app and spent most of my spending money in the first few days*. Luckily, they also deliver groceries so I cooked for myself over the bank holiday weekend. I’ve since had payday and not learned my lesson… it’s just too easy!
*Note to self – must go to the gym.
5. Walk the length of the marina (and back) in a shirt
Big mistake. Anyone who knows me knows that I struggle to stay dry in 20 degrees, I don’t really know what I was thinking….
5 miles doesn’t sound like a lot but, in 40+ degree heat in the shade, I had sweated through my shirt within about 5 minutes and was getting looks from people clearly thinking “amateur – you’re in Dubai, what did you expect?!”. It genuinely looked like I had fallen in the marina by the time I got back to my apartment.
6. Cook a (fried) grilled cheese in your apartment without the extractor fan on
This was a mistake. Luckily the fire alarms in my apartment are silent. The only reason I knew they had gone off was when I had a knock on the door from the security asking if everything is ok and a quick comment of “why don’t you turn the extractor on..?”. I’m just glad the alarms aren’t connected directly to the sprinklers…
7. Tell your colleagues in the UK about the heat (and the aircon)
It’s no secret that Brits love to talk about the weather…
Your colleagues don’t care that you have a cough from the aircon, and they don’t care that it’s “too hot here” when it’s tipping it down in the UK. #worseproblemstohave
In summary:
Learn from my mistakes so you don’t make the same.
Any expats reading this, if you have any advice on how to best use the air con so I stay cool but don’t get a cough, please do reach out..!
About WCBS
The HUB product range is the most technologically advanced software for International Schools, having received almost £10m in investment. With the first of the range, HUBmis, successfully launching in 2020 (shortly followed by HUBadmissions and soon to be joined by HUBincome) HUB is bringing International Schools the User Experience, Technology and Security they deserve, across the three core areas of MIS, Finance and Admissions.
HUB is available across the globe on any device with an internet connection and is currently available in English, Arabic and Mandarin with more language expansion on the cards for the future.
If you’re in the Middle East you can book a meeting with Will McNeil here.
