The BIG ExpatWoman Survey: Meet Our Winners

EW: How long have you been in the UAE and why did you relocate?
CH: I moved to Dubai three-and-a-half years ago because my partner landed a job here. Whilst I was in the UK I applied for a position as PA at a financial management firm and was lucky enough to have secured the job before moving here. We felt it was the right time and the perfect opportunity to go out and explore the world.

EW: Is that the current role you are in now?
CH: I am now the General Manager at an event services and corporate training company owned by the previous company I worked at. I’m happy to have built a great relationship with my employers and to have been able to work myself up to the position that I am in now.

EW: How did you find it moving to a new country as a first-time expat?
CH: Like most, I had the first-year blues in the sense that you do not know many people, it is difficult to make serious friendships that last, and living in JVC at the time felt a bit isolating. My perspective has changed a great deal as JVC has changed quite a bit and it feels more like a community now.

EW: What do you love the most about living in Dubai?
CH: Definitely the sunshine! Brunches don’t hurt either… but I would definitely say the sunshine and beaches. I also love the fact that we are able to travel and discover many new places that are just a few hours away.

EW: Do you travel abroad often, then? When’s your next holiday?
CH: Yes, we definitely try to. I think we have the opportunity to see most of the UAE over weekends so whenever we get extended time off we enjoy discovering new destinations. I’m actually heading out to Zanzibar this evening!

EW: Wow, so you’ve had a very lucky week!
CH: Well, I actually blew the tire off my Ford Fiesta the other day, it was quite scary! I pulled over to the side of the road and called for assistance because, well, I wouldn’t know how to change a tire anyway! But I then received the call that I won so I didn’t feel too bad – a very eventful week, yes.

EW: That must have been an experience, how do you find driving around anyway?
CH: It took about a year for me to start driving. I enjoy driving a smaller vehicle but I still don’t find it very safe to drive.

EW: Back to holidays, what’s been your favourite so far?
CH: When we went to the Philippines because that’s where we got engaged! We are also going to Bali and the Gili Islands this summer which I am definitely looking forward to.

EW: Lastly, what’s the one major take-away from your experience as an expat thus far?
CH: Learning the importance of family and friends and also becoming more aware and tolerant of the many different cultures around the world.

EW: How long have you been living in the UAE and where do you reside?
LA: I have been living in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi since February 2016.

EW: Why did you decide to move to the UAE? Is this your first experience as an expat?
LA: We moved because my husband was offered a position in Abu Dhabi. We were expats in Singapore for 9 years, moving in 2007 from the Philippines.

EW: Are you currently working?
LA: I was working in Singapore but upon relocating to the UAE, I became a stay-at-home mum.

EW: How old are your children?
LA: I am a mum of two boys – one is 7 and one is 4 years old. The boys currently attend the only UK-curriculum based school in Ruwais. It is a great school and it is convenient having them in a school close to home. I am hoping they finish their A levels here and then head to the UK or North America for university – but we still have a while to go before we start planning that!

EW: How did they find relocating to a new country?
LA: Moving was a massive shock and settling in was difficult, as Ruwais is a very quiet area of Abu Dhabi. In Singapore we were accustomed to being outdoors, heading out for shopping and activities after-school, catching up with neighbours and going for play-dates. We have grown to love it here but it’s been difficult getting used to the quietness and being indoors for most of the day.

EW: What’s a typical day like for you?
LA: I currently do not have a vehicle and since Ruwais is located at the outskirts of Abu Dhabi, it is difficult to get around. I tend to the children whilst they're home, do some housework until they return and we wait for my husband to get home to head out for shopping or activities with the children.

EW: What do you enjoy doing together as a family over the weekends?
LA: The weekends are great as there are so many things to do and see around the UAE! We love to go to the beach and spend time outdoors as long as the weather permits. The boys love playing outside so we try to go camping, sightseeing, and take on different outdoor activities around the UAE.

EW: How do you find living here now?
LA: Overall living here was a choice we made for the future of our family. Our boys are in a nice school, we are financially sounder, and we have a nice life despite the quietness and isolation you might feel the first year. It now feels like home.

EW: Do you know what you’ll spend your AED 1000 on?
LA: I have some ideas! I must admit I went on Cobone as soon as I received the call that I had won. We’ll likely book outdoor family activities, I’m sure the boys will be very happy!

EW: Tell us a little bit about yourself?
FA: I am a civil engineer working at a construction consultancy, originally from Jordan and living in Abu Dhabi for the past 4 and a half years.

EW: Why did you move to the UAE?
FA: I moved here with my husband for work opportunities and also for the lifestyle.

EW: How are you finding living and working in Abu Dhabi?
FA: We love it here! Wouldn’t leave unless we got kicked out! Abu Dhabi feels like home- there is a small-community feel to the city yet there is always something to do. We have friends and family here as well so it was very easy getting used to living here.

EW: What’s a typical weekday like?
FA: On a typical day, I take a taxi to work in the morning, spend my day at the office until 6pm, and then head to Primal Gym for a workout before going home to wind down for the evening. Occasionally my husband and I meetup with friends for dinner during the week.

EW: Do you normally take taxis everywhere?
FA: Yes, I’ve been meaning to get my license but must admit the thought of driving can be a bit scary. I am currently taking a driving course to start driving, we’ll see how it goes!

EW: Do you enjoy going to the gym every day?
FA: I am quite health-conscious in that we like doing physical and outdoor activities over the weekend and I do go to the gym about three times a week. Sometimes I do the Primal Gym Bootcamp which can be quite intense.

EW: What other activities you enjoy?
FA: Aside from outdoor or indoor physical activities, I do enjoy going for lunch and dinners over the weekends with my husband and friends. I also go to the salon occasionally, about once a month for nails and hair. I am not over-the-top when it comes to these things but what woman doesn’t like getting pampered once in a while!

EW: Do you know what you’ll spend your AED 500 on?
FA: I’m not sure yet! I’m thrilled to have won this as I have been going on ExpatWoman for years – I find the site very helpful in discovering new places, services and things to do. I’ll have a look on Cobone to see what I can treat myself to!

Not a lucky winner of the BIG EW Survey?

Not to worry, you'll have another chance to WIN AED 2000 from Cobone at our Abu Dhabi Spring Fair, and TWO return tickets to the Seychelles at our upcoming EWmums Show!