The United Arab Emirates is one of the best countries to teach English as a foreign language if you are looking for a high salary and attractive benefits such as paid accommodation and free flights.
However, the country has much more to offer than just good pay.
The following guides explore a wide range of information that you might want to know before moving to the UAE, such as travel tips, historic information, fun facts and must-see attractions.
There is also a useful guide on how to survive the initial flight from your home country.
Travel Tips for the UAE
The United Arab Emirates is one of the most popular destinations in the world for teaching English abroad due to high salaries, extensive extra benefits and the country’s tax free status.
This brief introduction to the UAE offers a few simple tips on the language, culture and customs of the country, as well as a few suggestions on sights to look out for and foods to try.
However, as everyday life in the UAE can be vastly different to living in Europe or North America, it is essential to do plenty of research before you set off.
SOURCE: foursquare . com/v/united-arab-emirates/51e00e2e498e5a7e40fd515f
The Seven Emirates
The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven individual emirates located on the Arabian Peninsula in the Middle East.
Each of the seven emirates has its own list of attractions from the huge modern shopping malls and indoor skiing centers of Dubai to the Old Harbor and Fort of Umm al-Quwain.
Since the country’s formation following independence from Great Britain in 1971, the UAE has grown from a lightly populated backwater into a major tourist destination and a very popular country for teaching English as a foreign language.
If you are thinking about teaching in the UAE, take a look at this informative break down of the individual emirates that make up the country.
SOURCE: www . charteryachtdubai . com/cyd-blog/uaes-seven-emirates/
Fun Facts About Dubai
The city of Dubai is well known as one of the fastest growing in the world by population growth and infrastructure development.
Amazingly, the city’s skyline only had one skyscraper back in 1990, but today there are over 450.
But did you know that the population has actually tripled in the last twenty years and that car ownership has gone from a mere 13 in 1968 to over 1.1 million in 2012?
This list contains several other fascinating facts about Dubai, such as 90% of the city’s population is made up of expats and the city is home to around 20% of all the cranes in the world.
SOURCE: www . visualistan . com/2014/04/fun-facts-about-dubai-infographic . html
The Seven Wonders of Dubai
The city of Dubai has undergone a spectacular transformation over the last forty years from a small fishing village on the shores of the Persian Gulf to one of the most modern and visited cities on Earth.
For those with money to burn, a night or two in the Burj Al Arab may be in order as it is unofficially known as the world’s only seven-star hotel.
If the desert heat becomes too much for you, why not visit Ski Dubai which offers spectacular indoor skiing and snowboarding on a large scale?
During this time it has constructed some of the largest and most innovative attractions to be found anywhere in the world.
For those on a tighter budget there are other wonders to enjoy, such as the world’s largest performing fountain and the world’s largest shopping mall.
SOURCE: visual . ly/seven-wonders-dubai-0
Free Things to Do in Dubai
Dubai is often seen as a destination that offers extreme levels of luxury and extravagance to the world’s wealthiest travelers and business people.
This list of ten free things to do in Dubai offers an insight into the diverse attractions available in the city free of charge.
If you feel the need to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, you can also pay a free visit to the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary which provides a haven for wildlife just minutes from the city center.
While this may be true to some extent, there is also plenty to see and do for visitors without a limitless budget.
From marveling at the world’s largest fountain which performs spectacular light and sound shows throughout the day, to exploring the winding streets of Dubai’s Old City, there is plenty of cheap fun to be had.
SOURCE: www . tipsographic . com/dubai-holiday-things-to-do-travel-dubai/
Burj Khalifa
When it ‘topped out’ at 828 meters tall in 2008, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai became the tallest building and the tallest free-standing structure in the world.
Did you know that it is nearly twice the height of the Empire State Building and three times the height of the Eiffel Tower?
You should also spare a thought for the 36 employees whose job it is to clean the building's 24,348 windows.
The many facts and figures surrounding this amazing feat of engineering are utterly jaw-dropping.
For anyone keen to reach the top floor without using the elevator, there are 2909 steps to negotiate.
SOURCE: www . pinfographics . org/ig/burj-khalifa-the-tallest-skyscraper-in-the-world/
Flying to the UAE
For Americans heading to the UAE to teach English abroad, the initial journey can be a very tiring affair for those unused to long-haul flying.
While the journey itself cannot be avoided, there are several things you can do to make it a much more comfortable experience. As the recycled air in the plane’s cabin is notoriously dry it is vital that you drink plenty of water throughout the flight.
Flight times are around 14 hours from eastern cities such as New York and Chicago, and over 17 hours from Los Angeles on the West Coast.
And if you plan on getting some sleep during the trip you might want to invest in a pair of earplugs and an eye mask.
SOURCE: traveler . marriott . com/dubai/easy-ways-survive-long-flight-uae/
