Professional Expats Living and Working in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, Arabic for the 'Father of Gazelles', is the capital and the second largest city in UAE. Located in an island in the North-Eastern part of the Arabian Gulf, it is a popular choice for professional expatriates and a good alternative to Dubai in terms of employment opportunities.

In fact, this small emirate has one of the largest expat populations in the world. More than 1 million expats out of a population of just 2.5 million live there. It is interesting to note that, according to the UAE government, there were only 211,000 people living in this city in 1975.


Like in the rest of UAE, people in Abu Dhabi are proud of their traditions, despite the modernisation. So, it offers expats a variety of experiences, which expats might enjoy such as camel races pictured above.

With Abu Dhabi holding 9% of the world's oil reserves, it is no surprise that the majority of expats in Abu Dhabi work in the oil and gas industry. Although their economy relies mostly on natural resources, other sectors are becoming increasingly important. Finance, real estate, business services, construction and tourism are all growing sectors and help to make Abu Dhabi the strongest contributor to the UAE's total GDP.

Let's take a look at what Abu Dhabi has to offer to professional expats who are looking to relocate or are already living there, and some tips to make their life easier.

• It has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world. 
• Many positions require expats with specialised knowledge and good language skills.
• A number of international groups have their headquarters in the area.
• For expats looking for work, job websites and the local Reception Office are a good point to start when doing their job search.
• Different government entities offer recruitment opportunities on their websites. For example, the Ministry of Presidential Affairs (in Arabic, though). 

Some hints and tips

• The city and the social life are heavily influenced by Muslim traditions and it is very conservative.
• Smoking is banned in public areas.
• Expats should avoid wearing revealing clothes.
• Always wear sun lotion to protect yourself from strong sunlight.
• Although healthcare in Abu Dhabi is regarded as good, it is also very expensive.
• There is a slower pace of life to Dubai.
• The volume of expat clubs make adjusting to expat life in Abu Dhabi easier than in some countries.

Have you got any tips or feel we haven't covered everything? Then, please let us know!

Thanks for reading this blog.

The Medibroker Team


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Tips to Fight Culture Shock

Culture shock is one of the most common issues expats experience when they relocate. This obviously varies from person to person, but also according to a number of other variables, such as guest country, knowledge of the new culture, work and living conditions, etc. To help with this, we give a few hints and tips below which might be useful for expatriates and professionals.


What is culture shock?

It can be defined as the difficulties in adjusting to a different country and culture. All expats experience cultural shock to some extent, although not everyone goes through it in the same way. In fact, it is possible to experience it more than once.

• Some expats struggle during their first few weeks, until they start getting an understanding of their host country, make friends and start to settle down.
• For some others, the emotional roller coaster is greater after they stop finding everything fascinating and wonderful. That's when adjustment problems arise, such as language issues, loneliness, etc.
• Other expats have only experienced this after relocating several times to different countries, which might be surprising. 

What are the symptoms?

Loneliness, avoiding others, refusal to learn the language, having negative judgement and stereotypes about guest country, continuous health worries, concerns about being exploited or injured, etc.

Have you ever experienced any of this?

At a corporate level, the expatriate the rate of expats that cannot overcome culture shock is extremely high. Some sources quote a 40% rate.

Hints and tips

So, as culture shock can turn every cultural transition into a real struggle for expats, let's take a look at a few hints and tips to help you fight it back. Please feel free to share any other tips that might be useful to others!

1. Get the basics right.
   Before you relocate, find out as much as you can about your guest culture, the area where you are going to live, means of transport, business hours, any supermarkets nearby, etc.
2. Meet new people.
   It can be tiresome and frustrating. You have your friends and family back at home, but it is useful and fun having someone to talk to from time to time.
3. Don't avoid locals.
   Locals can be as afraid of getting it wrong as you might be! Local can help you adjust quicker and in a more fun way.
4. Learn the new language.
   It'll always be easier if you learn the local language, even if it's just to get by. Locals will be more appreciative and it'll be more satisfying for you.
5. Keep in regular touch with your family and friends back at home.
   This can help you with being less lonely.
6. Take care of yourself.
   Exercise regularly, eat well, enjoy as much as you can and smile a lot.
7. Give yourself time to adjust.
   The emotional roller coaster that expatriates experience is normal. It takes some time and effort to adjust to a new country and culture. So, be patient with yourself! 

Thanks for reading!

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Living in Shanghai as a Professional Expat

Although cities like Hong Kong and Beijing seem to take the limelight, Shanghai is quickly becoming a leading international centre, attracting so many expats in recent times. In fact, it is considered to be mainland China's nightlife capital. According to Chinese officials, there was a 6.7% increase in the number of foreign residents at the end of 2012.

Companies would certainly brief professionals before their move. But, expats may still find it an exciting and, even, daunting experience. Here are some tips to help expatriates when relocating to Shanghai.

• Learn Mandarin.
  While most businesses have English-speaking staff, it goes without saying that learning Mandarin or the local dialect will ease your stay in Shanghai and allow you to settle quicker.
• Hierarchy in the workplace.
  Respect and relationship building, which they call guanxi, is more important in China than in Western countries. Many businesses operate a very hierarchical system.
• Take many business cards.Don't be surprised if the locals exchange business cards at lightning speed even before they shake hands at a meeting.
• Wheather.
  Humidity in Shanghai can be as high as 90%, whilst temperatures from late June to September can rise to 35C.
  
  In winter time, warm clothes are a must. Temperatures can be chilly and reminiscent of the cold winters in Central Europe. However, temperatures from May until the first weeks in June and in autumn are the best in the year.
• Food and drink.
  It is advisable to drink boiled or bottled water, and to avoid unwashed food items, especially in the summertime.
• Health and wellbeing.
  Pneumonia and influenza are common problems in winter, especially as houses and offices are badly insulated. Also, expats should have their immunisations are up-to-date before travelling.
  In the event that expats needed any medical attention, language and costs can be a problem.
  
  Although there are English-speaking staff in local hospitals, local expats have reported big language barriers. Also, doctor's fees and medication are charged separately, even at the foreign clinics, where out-patient services are charged at a higher price than the ordinary surgeries. Hence, the importance of seeking advice on international medical insurance.
  
  Also, it is interesting to know that an introduction to the right doctor in China can save time. especially if it is a referral from a Western clinic.
• Tipping
  Tipping is not customary in China, and tips are often not accepted. But, the idea is catching on. Fine dining restaurants and international hotels, might add a percentage to the total bill, though.

Have you got any tips or share any experiences?

Thank you for reading.

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5 Top Tips for Professional Expats

Today's professional expats focus on living an experience in their guest country, unlike other . Since relocating to a new country may not be the easiest thing to do, we thought we might list a few hints and tips to ease the strain of moving away from friends and family.
generations of expats

Got any others? Please feel free to add them to the list by commenting on this post.

• Try and learn the local language.
  Learning the local language before relocating can save expats some time and ease their settling in that country. Locals usually appreciate foreigners' efforts to speak their language beyond 'please' or 'thank you'.

• Be curious.
  Learn about the history of the country you are staying anything that can make your stay easier, such as dress code or observe how locals interact, etc.

• Research, research, research.
  OK, so your job takes you to Dubai, with so many luxury hotels, tax allowances and sunny weather this may be the perfect destination. However, did you know that you'd only be allowed to see a doctor for free in case of emergencies?

• Join a club.
  Increasing your social network is can be both satisfying and useful. For example, both locals and expats can show you how to sort out those situations that you might take for granted in your home country, ie, opening a bank account, etc.

• Be flexible.
  Accept that things can sometimes not go according to plan, so that you can make the best of any situation.

Thanks for reading our blog.

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Professional Expats Demographics

The current number of expatriates may be shocking to some. Over 200 million people now live and a previous entry, employers expect to increase the number of foreign assignments during 2013, and few expats plan to go back home during this year, according to various sources.
work in guest countries, of which 4.5 million are Britons. This figure has the potential to change. As we mentioned in

Although there is no evidence yet that supports the differences between the various generations of professional expatriates, we thought it would be interesting to explore some anecdotal data.

• Traditionalists, are the oldest generation of expats alive today. The professional expats believe in the link made between the effort made and the benefits earned from it. They are hard workers who saved their money and made few demands in terms of benefits that could aid them to adapt to their destination.
• The so-called 'baby boomers' are more independent. They are hard workers whose focus on success affected their work-life balance. Unlike the previous generation, they did demand certain benefits, especially in relation to their family, such as accommodation or health insurance.
• The Generation X represent the most common workforce today. They are close to reaching the peak of their careers. Highly educated, they are keen on grabbing a destination that could mean a progress in their career.
• The Generation Y consists of young, open-minded and adventurous professionals. They are more likely to work on developmental type of projects and are the most adaptable. Being hard-workers, they also value their free time and being able to enjoy new experiences.
• The Generation Z are sometimes called 'digital natives'. They have never known a world without technology, and it is not a problem for them to handle large amounts of data. They are also the most connected people. A key aspect of this generation is that they are used to receiving instant gratification and feedback.

Today's expat generation is certainly different from the previous ones. Professionals today are moving countries for lifestyle, as compared to other generations. Work is not as important for young professional expats as knowing what to do in their destinations in their own time. They believe their qualifications will ease their way to a good job.

Next time, we will focus on today's professional expats.

Thanks for reading.

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