Expat Advice: Culture Shock in Dubai, UAE

What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?

Dubai

Did you receive any cross-cultural training for your move abroad? If yes, was it before or after the move?

No

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If they speak another language in your new country, do you speak the language? If yes, did you learn the language before you moved or while abroad? If no, are you planning to learn the language?

Yes

Were you worried or concerned about culture shock before you moved abroad?

No

How significant was the culture shock you experienced when you moved abroad?

Life is so totally different, there is no family life just work and social. Everybody is just in for establishing themselves and you are feel very alone and isolated. Furthermore as soon as you start work at your new employer in Dubai, they take and retain your passport. You are under constant surveillance, and have no rights.

Expats often talk about going through the "stages of culture shock." Examples include the honeymoon phase, the irritation-to-anger stage, the rejection of the culture stage, and the cultural adjustment phase. Do you feel like you went through these or any other stages as you settled into the new culture?

The honeymoon phase lasted only a day when I realised that what my employer promised and what i got was two worlds apart.

What, if any, were some of the changes you noticed in yourself that might have been caused by culture shock? These might include things such as anger, depression, anxiety, increased eating or drinking, frustration, homesickness, etc.

anxiety, sleeplessness, homesickness, anger and depression

What are some things you appreciate most about the new culture?

That women are safe in the streets

What are the most challenging aspects of the new culture?

To abide by muslim practices