This summer while back in The States I was asked many questions about the norms here, the expectations, the differences and similarities, and what a normal day in our lives looks like. I realized how many people are curious about what it's like to live abroad and thought it would be nice to give a general overview:
Q: Do you feel safe in the UAE?
A: Yes! Absolutely! In many ways I feel much safer here than in the United States. The only people who can carry guns here are police and military. We don't worry about random shootings or acts of violence. I don't personally know anyone who has had a crime committed against them. I know things do happen but the penalties here are more severe. Something like 85% of the population in this country is made up of expats from countries all over the world, who, like us are working to support their families and wouldn't dare commit a crime, which could lead to jail time, and even worse: loss of their jobs and deportation.
Q: What about the recent uprising in neighboring countries?
A: I know that we live in the middle east and several countries in the area have links to extremist entities but the UAE has zero tolerance for this. There are secret police whose job it is to seek out anyone who has any ties to these groups, even down the family/friend lineage. They don't play around either. If you are found to be suspicious, your visa is immediately cancelled and you are sent home.
Q: How about women's rights? Do you have to cover?
A: Women are very highly respected here. We are given priority in waiting areas, grocery lines, and seats on buses. I can of course drive a car and take care of any business I need to myself. At school I do have to cover my arms and legs (usually a long skirt and long sleeve shirt) but at the mall I just have to cover my knees and shoulders (capris and a short sleeve shirt.) In a hotel or at the rugby/golf club I can wear whatever I want and can of course swim in a normal bathing suit.
Q: What is it like living in a Muslim country?
A: To be honest, I forget sometimes that this is a big deal. Yes, we hear the call to prayer 5 times a day. Yes, Islam is a big part of education here. Yes, religion and government are basically one entity as well. But, the more I learn about it, the less concerned I am for our exposure and for our childrens'. Islam found its roots in Christianity. Many of the Bible stories you and I know, these people do too. Islam teaches honesty, respect, love, and generosity. And many of the Muslims I know are some of the most devoted, Godly people I've ever met.
Q: How have your children adapted?
A: Amazingly well! It has blown my mind how well adapted they are. My children see the differences between here and the US but their innocence has been a lesson in acceptance for me. They have no prejudices. Olivia's best friends at school are American, Egyptian, and Emirati. She can speak with a flawless Arabic accent with a little over a year of Arabic class in school and thinks this is totally normal. Griffen loves school and playing on the local rugby team, something my children would never have experienced in South Carolina.
Q: Do they have churches there?
A: Yes, the UAE follows a policy of tolerance toward other religions so there are several churches in my town with multicultural populations. We've tried out one of them a few times but are still in the process of finding a church to call home.
Q: What is your favorite part of living in the UAE?
A: The people. We've met people from all walks of life, people we would have never in a million years met living in Anderson, South Carolina. We've met lovely folks from Western countries like England, Scotland, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Canada and many, many states in the US. We've met others from Arab countries like Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, and even Iraq. These are like-minded people, who, like us, have moved here with their families for a better life, a new experience, or a better opportunity. We've gained so much perspective of the world and humanity (for lack of a better word.) Never underestimate how much one conversation with one person can change you.
Q: What don't you like?
A: The mindset of the culture takes a while to get used to and can be incredibly frustrating at times. In the US, if someone says they will take care of something on so and so date at so and so time, it gets done. Here, not so much. Everyone will tell you 'Inshallah,' or 'God willing,' to any question you have.
Example: When calling the Cable/Internet company:
Me: "My internet is not working and I need you to come and fix it."
Them: "It will be fixed tomorrow, Inshallah."
Me: "So tomorrow it will be working?"
Them: "Inshallah."
Inshallah? What? Just come and fix it!
Mark was told in June he had a job with a computer company here. It's November and we're still waiting. Inshallah he will start soon. This a lesson in patience and faith. Things always work out and it doesn't do anyone any good to worry about it.
Q: What is a day in your life like?
A: Probably much the same as yours. We get up around 6:00 and leave for school around 7:00. Mark takes the kids to school and I drive the 30 minutes around the mountain and over the camel crossing to mine. :-) We all get home around 2:30-3:00, work on homework, and veg a while. Then, it's rugby practice (2 days a week) or errands, dinner, baths, bed, etc. Weekends are spent swimming at the rugby club, playing with friends, watching rugby or American football, and being lazy. We do enjoy the occasional weekend in Dubai or Abu Dhabi though.
Q: What kind of food do you eat?
A: We eat all sorts of different food. We cook similar meals to what we ate in the US: tacos, chili, chicken, fish, etc. Some ingredients aren't available here or don't quite taste the same but we've figured out substitutions. We eat some local Arabic food: hummus, fatouche, kebabs, and shawarma on a regular basis. We also find ourselves at American restaurants here like Applebee's, Chili's, KFC, Pizza Hut, and Hardee's more often than we probably should but it's nice to have a taste of home.
Q: Is there alcohol there? Or pork?
A: Yes both are readily available here and easy to get. Alcohol (beer, wine, and liquor) must be purchased at a liquor store, which has a great selection of European beers and wines. Bacon, sausage, and hot dogs must be bought at a special pork shop (the sign on the door reads 'For Non-Muslims Only.') Both alcohol and pork are more expensive than in the US.
If you have any other questions feel free to ask. I am happy to answer them the best I can. :-)
This is totally hilarious!
http://www.buzzfeed.com/regajha/most-amazing-things-about-living-in-the-middle-east
