to consider moving to Dubai/Abu Dhabi/Doha to teach (sorry - long)

[IrishTeacher]

Posting here for traffic. AIBU seems to be more active than the Staff Room forum.

I recently qualified as a geography teacher. I'm 38. I'm Irish and live in the Republic of Ireland.
It is VERY difficult to get full time work here as teacher. The system here is vastly different to the UK.
A permanent job? Just forget it.
At the moment, I can't even get some subbing work. There is none to be had.
I'm claiming social welfare and my savings are dwindling.
Living in Dublin is out because rent is sky high, housing is in short supply and I might as well go to Manhattan, in that case.
I do not wish to teach in the UK because the education system has been run into the ground there and teachers are leaving in their droves.

I'm considering moving to Dubai or the ME, where there seems to be plenty of work.
From there, 2 years down the line, I'm considering applying for the skills visa to Australia and settling there.

The only things that are stopping me are:

• My parents are getting on in years - 75+. I do have a sibling and their family who lives near them, so they would not be left alone. They are good health at the moment.
• I do feel that if I go this time, it is permanent. So i need to be sure. I have lived abroad before.

The things pushing me to go are:

• There's no work here for teachers and it could be another 5-10 years before I get a permanent job, if ever.
• I have no home of my own here. I rent.
• I'm terminally single and child-free.
• Friends all married off, so its "mission accomplished" for them and they no longer need a social life.
• I'm not young any more and I need to settle down and make a living somewhere.
• I have lived in Australia before and I loved it.

If anyone has been in a similar position - I would love to hear from you.

So - do I stay or do I go? WWYD?

Thanks one and all for your replies.
I have a lot to think about.....

Op, have you looked into requirements for Canada? Not sure of skill set required for teaching.

Very similar to Australia, Commwealth etc. Great standard of living, you could always get a couple of years experience and then move to Australia?

If not, I'd give the ME a go, even if you hate it, it's only a year.

Well I'm back. And I REALLY need advice now.

Since i last posted i have had no teaching work.
until today.
I have a day's substitute work in a really nice local girl's school. I don't know how long it's for yet. could be this week only.

This morning, i got a job offer to go and teach at an international school in Dubai. They want me out here soon. I've done all the initial checks and everything seems kosher. I had a skype interview. the school seems really nice and so do the staff. one of my friends is there and she likes it. she has gone back there again as she couldn't get work in ireland.
great package as normal for the UAE.
2 year contract.

should i stay or go?

I've been living in Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai for the last decade. My Ds is happily attending a school here, I met and married my husband and had my 2 kids here. It's a hell of a lot easier place to live then South Korea was, far less misogyny if you can believe it. I love it and can't imagine being anywhere else at this point. I'd say do it.

Go! A great opportunity.

I wouldn't use the term kosher in Dubai. Otherwise, if it's what you want to do then go for it. Can you get out of the contract if it's awful? Don't let your employer take your passport.

god to see the ME naysayers popping up with their doom and gloom - when the vast majority have never visited let alone lived there.

i'm in my eighth year in dubai and it is a wonderful place to live. very safe, open, welcoming, friendly, with lots of opportunities. if you 'd like more info do feel free to PM me.

I could write a list as long as your arm about the positives of living here :)

The Qatar Living website forum will help a lot with advice. I worked and lived there for couple months.

Found Qatar it a bit boring compared to UAE and Bahrain but maybe because didn't have enough time to get involved with people etc.

Go for it! Sounds like a great opportunity, something you are clearly not getting in Ireland, and a good step towards your long-term goals.
I live in Doha and it's fine, apart from traffic. I liked Dubai when I visited, was great being able to use the metro to get about rather than in the car all the time.
It's waaaay too easy to spend money though - I'm okay as I'm married so happy to socialise on the compound mostly, but I know the young, free and single crowd like the brunches and nights out at the 5-star hotels and that adds up.
But mainly, you'll be getting your required experience.

Ok. Lots for you to consider OP. I work as a teacher overseas and have done for 12 years.

I have worked in Dubai. It was not for me and I left asap. However. Many colleagues loved it. I will say I had the best financial package of any place I have worked. But. I was at a 'good' school in that sense. It was shite in many other ways but I could save LOTS and had annual flights home, nice flat provided, no bills to pay etc. please do some research on the school. TES was often helpful (the overseas teachers bit of the chat fora).

You may be one of the people who love it.

Relevant info I was also a single woman in my late 30s.

I now work in a wonderful school in SE Asia. I have worked in 2 SE Asian countries. I have worked in 2 ME countries. I would choose SE Asia every time as a woman and generally.

Big picture. Yes, do look to move overseas. I do know that working in Oz is not easy to do. Lots and lots of paperwork and hoops just to 'prove' your qualifications and then not much work, especially with a very specific subject area. Looking at private schools will definitely be easier in that sense.

I have never regretted moving overseas as a lone female in my 30s and met DH where I live now. Another Brit. Lots of luck. Fortune favours the brave.

I don't know why you're not considering Scotland. One of the best education systems in the world, and on your doorstep!

The Middle East is fantastic, and I think it is a wonderful plan for you. Go for it.

Go for it, what's stopping you! I went for a holiday a few years ago but I stayed with a friend so felt I saw more of the real Dubai. I loved it. What's the worse that can happen. You don't like it, come back. Do it now or you might regret it.

Go the ME. My sister did this for a few years and saved masses (tax free, accomodation paid for) enough to buy 2 houses in the UK. Good move!! You can go and save, whilst getting some experience of teaching.

Post on the expat forums and ask about the school

but I'd say go for it. You are 38 - it's time to get that experience.

No personal experience, but we have friends of friends who have been in the ME for around ten years. He is a teacher, she was but gave it up a couple of years ago and is now a lady that lunches. He loves it there, she less so and apparently is quite bored, but they have made shed loads of money - enough to buy a couple of rental properties in Southern UK as well as letting out their family home - so he isn't keen to move back. From what I've heard they have a fabulous lifestyle.

Otoh, DS had a uni friend who went straight into teaching (maths) at a London private school with no classroom experience. He only stayed a year as decided teaching wasn't for him, but the pay was far better than the public sector.

Take the job but please be aware that 2 years wont be long enough to get established. I'd think of 4 instead.

Oh and try posting on Dubai Expatwoman for general advice but please do ignore the infighting that goes on amongst the expats on the board regarding what they think are the best schools.

Do it! I am in Asia and considering ME as a stepping stone back to the UK - save money to get DH a UK visa. If its terrible you can always leave, but for a year or so to get to Oz - why not?

Definitely do it OP. Sounds like a great opportunity !

I would do it in a heart beat.

I'd rather live on the moon quite frankly. But it might suit you and you could save up some money in the time you're out there and then re-assess your situation. It doesn't need to be forever.

Badger, I posted further up the thread under a different name in response to the OP's original post, and I can assure you I lived there, and worked in a job that allowed me access to the elements of the UAE which would mean I could write you a list as long as your arm of why your picture of an 'open, welcoming place to live' is incredibly blinkered. And, for all your disdain for those who point out human rights abuses and the like from abroad, surely you see how partial your own view is, as someone who has literally bought into the UAE system, because it benefits them economically?

OP, if you do in fact decide to go, keep your eyes open, read the small print, and hang onto your passport. Don't assume you will have the same legal rights and protections as an employee as you would in Ireland. I assume your two-year contract can be broken if necessary - presumably this is the reason your potential employer needs to import a foreign teacher in the middle of the academic year at such short notice?