This is her expat story.
Tell us about your expat move.
I moved to Dubai in June 2018 with my husband David.
He also relocated with his work. We were very fortunate because it was quite a seamless process for us.
Unsurprisingly, it was extremely hot when we first arrived in Dubai, but we have adapted to it quite quickly.
What have been some of your top highlights?
For me, it’s pretty much the lifestyle in general. Obviously the constant hot weather is a bonus!
It's been really nice. We’ve got to go to some big sporting events here that we wouldn’t have gotten to go to back in Scotland.
Living in Dubai is a really nice adventure and I’ve been really enjoying it here so far!
What have been some of the biggest challenges so far?
At work, adapting to different working hours and a new time zone has been slightly challenging.
In terms of adapting to Dubai, I’ve actually found that to be really easy. Living here has been a lot more relaxed than I thought it would be, and it wasn’t as much of a culture shock as I was expecting.
What do you miss about Glasgow?
Believe it or not, I miss the winter snow in Glasgow!
There’s not much natural snow here in Dubai apart but there is an indoor skiing/ice rink.
Apart from that, I obviously miss my family back home.
I speak to them all the time online so it doesn’t feel like you are that far away, but every now and again it does hit home that you actually are.
Would you recommend the expat move?
I would definitely recommend doing your research before you move. It helps to have a good understanding of the culture you’re going to move to and the environment you’ll be in.
I would also advise that expats have a job lined up before they move. I’ve met a lot of expats here who made the move without having a job in place and I couldn’t imagine anything more stressful to be honest.
Finally, how would you describe your expat journey in 10 words or less?
An exciting adventure that has been challenging but worth it!
International Health Insurance
Expats often opt for private healthcare and it’s important to have this arranged before moving country.
At Cigna Global, we provide plans that are specifically designed for expats just like you, ensuring that you have access to a range of different options, and 24/7 support where and when you need it.
You can also rely on our many years of experience in looking after the health and well-being of our customers.
