Forced From Home

Forced From Home

Where were you born?

Aleppo, Syria

I’m living in:

Dubai, UAE  

Are you a solo Expat?

Yes, I currently am  

A bit about me:

I was born and bred in Aleppo, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. I’ve graduated there from the Faculty of Arts and Humanities as a bachelor of English Literature. I worked for 2 years there, as an editor in a local press and everything was fine. Now I work as an Arabic copywriter for Cobone.com. I love my work and enjoy everything related to it. 

How long have you lived there?

I am in Dubai since 2011.

Have you always wanted to live/work abroad?

Not at all. To me Syria was “paradise on Earth”. However, I’m in Dubai now.

Why did you move?

The spark of the civil war in Syria forced me to seek another country and to settle down in Dubai. I had a cousin who was living in Dubai before and he’s the one who recommended for me to move to Dubai.

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Why I like living here:

To be honest, living here was not a choice to me and I have not planned before to move here at all, and it took me around a year to settle down and adapt to the weather and to everything. But after spending 4 years here, I can tell Dubai is one of the best places in the world to live in. Thanks God, the country is very safe, very organized, and very developed. Not to exaggerate, but it’s like “Plato’s Ideal City”, and maybe much better, because Dubai is real.

Accommodation Options?

For sure living in Dubai is not cheap and it’s not expensive, let’s say it’s affordable. There are many types of accommodations ranging to fit all your needs whether you are a tourist or an expat.

What do you enjoy doing with your time?

Most of time I spend at work where I can find myself and where I can be more active and more valuable in what I do. When I have free time, I try to meet friends and visit new and interesting places and attractions in Dubai, which are countless.

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What top tips do you have for anyone considering a move?

If you would like to move a place where all nationalities, races, religions, ethnicities, and people from all groups live peacefully, work in a unique harmony; make sure Dubai is your right destination. I recommend for you to read and get much information about Dubai before moving, especially about finding an affordable accommodation and a good job. You can find all those pieces of information online. I think expatwoman.com is a rich and valuable source of information for those who plan to move to the UAE. All the best in your new place!