Wow so looking back on my previous blogs was quite eye opening. The young teacher with the world at her feet is now right there, exploring the world! Just not quite so young anymore.
So I made the move to Dubai and it was the best thing I could have ever done. Not only has it allowed me to develop as a professional, I have changed as a person. I have become bigger and better. More confident and resolute. And absolutely, fiercely independent.
Let me turn back the clocks to give you a whirlwind catch up on Dubai life. Oh I remember so vividly the day that I moved to Dubai, loaded up with my 30kg luggage and my poor parents having to deal with my emotions. Saying goodbye was awful…I’ll never forget going through security and turning back with that gut wrenching feeling of being on my own. Really, truly on my own for the first time ever. No Dad to call when my car wouldn’t start or Mum’s roast dinner on a Sunday. No girls on standby for whatever crisis was occurring. I was starting a new and exciting life which was ridiculously scary.
I soon made friends with my fellow ‘newbies’ and the brunches, socialising and drinking began. It is true what they say about the Dubai stone. As time went on, the ‘newbies’ dispersed into our own friendship groups, much like the uni days when you all find your feet post Christmas. I was lucky that I already had a good network in Dubai with family and friends already living out there. But my Dubai family soon evolved in the form of Amy, Alice and Jon. They are very much the ones I can depend on and we’ve been through so much already: relationships (new and old!), engagements, holidays, birthdays, new jobs and so much more.
Teaching is very different in Dubai. The students at my school continue to amaze me. There is very little in the way of behavioural issues which has allowed me to develop my pedagogy and the element of challenge in my lessons. In my previous schools, I had always been that teacher that was good at engaging those that found learning challenging in terms of their ability or their behaviour. Having a different mix of students in Dubai, certainly provided an alternative challenge. One that I have absolutely loved.
The group sizes are much smaller which means that I have been able to manage my workload more effectively. And by not having the time consuming behavioural issues, has allowed me to spend more time on resources and getting to grips with the new specifications. There are of course differences to the college in terms of the array of different backgrounds of our students in terms of culture, ethnicity and religion. I have learned so much about different walks of life thanks to my students and I will always be grateful to them for opening my eyes to this.
Another thing that I have fast developed a passion for is travelling. I love it! I got a small taste for it when I went to New York on my own back in 2013 but my love of it has flourished. I have been fortunate to travel to the following places in the last 18 months: UK, UAE, Sri Lanka, Thailand (be it only to Bangkok), Vietnam, Cambodia, Oman, Budapest, Azerbaijan with a few other trips planned. Technically I’ve stopped over in Turkey and Qatar too but only for a mere few hours so I can’t really count it!
My plan is to do a few posts about my trips but it could well take some time!
Baalham's Blog 