Hi, looking for some advice on homesickness!
I moved to Dubai in February and I'm really struggling. My partner is also out here but other than that I am finding it hard to meet people that are a similar age and have similar interests. (I'm 23 and from Scotland)
I thought it would be easier when I found work however the job I am in it is mainly males that work here. They are all nice and I get on with them but it isn't the same as building proper friendships. The few women that do work here are from very different backgrounds and despite my attempts to build relationships with them it isn't going anywhere.
I was very close to my family back home and this is the first time I have ever been away (I was living with my parents and twin sister before the move out here), so it's hard being by myself.
It doesn't help that I also feel trapped being tied into contracts for housing etc and pretty soon a car (needed for work), money wise there are no problem (thankfully) but even with money to do things it isn't very fun if you have to do it by yourself.
Looking for suggestions on where to meet people in the same positions or how I can try and pick myself up a bit. I went to one of the coffee mornings when I first arrived and everyone was lovely but I'm not that outgoing so it can be quite daunting! I also don't want to come across as needy or pathetic as everyone seems to already have friends .. logically I know this probably isn't the case but as I'm not feeling great my mind tends to go into overdrive!
Any thoughts on how to overcome this would be really appreciated!
HI Rhea,
I am yet to move there ( moving there in August) but I have already got things in place to help with the home sickness at least for the short term.
One. I will Skype with my daughters a couple of times a week. That's a given.
Two. We are bringing with us snippets of home ( as in pics and such) as well as favorite foods we will not necessarily be able to get in the UAE. We are Australian so it will be vegemite, tim tams, as example) and have left strict instructions with my daughters to send more over every 3 months or so.
I am saying that those pieces of HOME you're used to, being sent over in little care packages by your parents or your sister every now and then, may at least help a little?
Also, know your family are with you always, regardless of distance.
I took my first OS trip when I was around your age and the above measures I mentioned helped me then as they will later this year. Certainly it doesn't hep the full on home-sickness, but at least you have a little piece of home with you always.
BTW when my daughters home over to visit us, perhaps you guys can meet up. My eldest is 25. No doubt they will be back and forth over the years we will be living in Sharjah.
