Teaching in Dubai: Three Things to Keep in Mind

With the current teacher shortage in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), thousands of international educators will be lining up to fill those vacant positions. But teaching in Dubai, one of the area's major cities, or any foreign location can be tricky – there's a different culture, a different language, a different social code and several other obstacles.

Consulting with teacher recruitment agencies can be one of the best ways to make the transition from teaching in North America to teaching in Dubai as smooth as possible. Here are just a few of the things teacher recruitment agencies can help you brush up on before you start:

Climate. Before you start teaching in Dubai or any city in the UAE, it is important to be prepared for the extreme climate you'll face there. Teacher recruitment agencies will be able to give you important information about the types of weather you'll face during the time you'll be there; and, since they've most likely already sent international teachers to that location, they'll have first-hand tips about how to cope.

Social code. Every region in the world has its own social quirks: in Europe, for example, they tend to be more comfortable with physical contact than other areas are, and hugs are a widely accepted way of greeting strangers. On the other hand, people in the UAE tend to be more reserved in that respect. When teaching in Dubai, or any other major city in the UAE, it will be important to know about the social codes of that area. Teacher recruitment agencies will be able to provide you with important information about the social constructs of the area to help make your connection with the local people as easy as possible.

Currency. Adjusting to a new monetary system is always a challenge, even if you're only visiting the country for a few days. If you're going to be teaching in Dubai for an extended period of time, though, it will be necessary to become comfortable dealing in the area's currency. Teacher recruitment agencies will be able to answer your questions and help you make the switch.