Expert: Hope - 5/16/2006

Question
Hello Hope,

I'm very interested in teaching English as a second language (for about a year) in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. I have a few questions and was wondering if you would answer them.  Is it common to find single foreign women working and living in the UAE? I have heard that it is better for a female to be married before they come to work in the UAE.  Is there some truth to that? Are men preferred over women in teaching positions? Since I don't know too much about the UAE, what's the public transportation system (buses, subways..etc) like? Can women use the tranportation on their own or do they need to be with someone? Also, do you know of any sites that advertise teaching positions in middle or high schools? I would like to apologize if my questions seem silly or that I sound ignorant. I know very little about the UAE and would really like to get a sense of the people and culture there. It will help me decide whether or not to purse teaching in the UAE.

Thanks in advance,

May  

Answer
Hey May,

For your first question , no there is quite a percentage of single women working in the UAE, but they have some family member maybe not in the same emirate but in another one. Also they may have their children with them , but some of them live all by themselves and thats ok but not very accepted by the culture here just for the reason of safty ,etc. For your second question its up to you to be married or not its only that you have to respect the culture by following the law and the culture here. there is no rule as of you have to marry then come to UAE..

men and women are equal here , it depens on the experience and the knowledge you have.

Trasportation are buses , taxies and cars and yes you can use them by your own.

I appericate your interest in knowing more about the culture over here you have a better knowlege by going to the official websites of the United Arab Emirates as they usually include such useful information.

I hope that my answers were satisfactory and Good Luck.


Hope