What to expect as a teacher in the rest of the UAE
For many teachers who have not lived in the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates is best known for Dubai and Abu Dhabi, but in fact there are 5 other Emirates in the UAE where international schools are thriving. Teaching in the UAE means much more than just teaching in Dubai.
Sharjah is a thriving Emirate which is adjacent to Dubai and in fact many schools in Dubai have teacher housing in the Emirate of Sharjah. Sharjah is a culturally significant place to live and work and teachers in Sharjah find that their money can go further here than in many of the neighbouring Emirates, yet the excitement of weekends in Dubai and Abu Dhabi is literally on their doorstep. There are quite a few schools in Sharjah using a variety of curricula from US to UK to Australian and international, you will find a world of opportunity here.
Fujairah is the fifth largest emirate, and is the only emirate on the Gulf of Oman. Blessed with an enviable position between the Hajar mountains and the coast, teachers in Fujairah are often those who don’t require the hustle and bustle of a big city every day yet all of this is available on weekends. There are a small number of well run international schools in Fujairah and we recommend taking a look at this oft overlooked region of the UAE. Ras-al-Kamah and Ajman are similarly smaller but up-and-coming Emirates with similar attractions. Umm al-Quwain is the smallest of the United Arab Emirates and the least populated.
Salaries, like that of all Gulf countries, are tax free in the country of origin, and benefits packages include furnished housing - which may or may not be shared with another teacher and thus not suitable for teachers with spouse/dependents- this varies by school, flights yearly, and an end of contract bonus, called gratuity, which many teachers use in lieu of a pension payment. Medical insurance is provided but it may or may not extend beyond your host country or cover travel. Utilities may or may not be part of the package but in our experience utilities in the Middle East are very inexpensive. A budget of 300-500 AED per month is usually adequate for most teachers provided you have eco-friendly practices such as turning off your air-conditioning when you are not at home.
About the area
Capital: Abu Dhabi
Language: Arabic
Population: 2.7 million
Sharjah is a thriving Emirate which is adjacent to Dubai and in fact many schools in Dubai have teacher housing in the Emirate of Sharjah. Sharjah is a culturally significant place to live and work and teachers in Sharjah find that their money can go further here than in many of the neighbouring Emirates, yet the excitement of weekends in Dubai and Abu Dhabi is literally on their doorstep. There are quite a few schools in Sharjah using a variety of curricula from US to UK to Australian and international, you will find a world of opportunity here.
Fujairah is the fifth largest emirate, and is the only emirate on the Gulf of Oman. Blessed with an enviable position between the Hajar mountains and the coast, teachers in Fujairah are often those who don't require the hustle and bustle of a big city every day yet all of this is available on weekends. There are a small number of well run international schools in Fujairah and we recommend taking a look at this oft overlooked region of the UAE.
Ras-al-Kamah and Ajman are similarly smaller but up-and-coming Emirates with similar attractions. Umm al-Quwain is the smallest of the United Arab Emirates and the least populated.
Sharjah is the third largest of the seven emirates in the UAE and enjoys a coastline on both the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Sharjah is only 20 kilometres from Dubai making it very easy for trips into the hustle and bustle of the city while enjoying the culture of Sharjah.
Sharjah was crowned the - Cultural Capital of the Arab World' by UNESCO in 1998 due to its commitment to preserving its culture and heritage. There are plenty of museums and art galleries across Sharjah reinforcing this. Sharjah is generally a dry emirate, so alcohol is not widely available, but with its close proximity to Dubai, this is rarely an issue. Sharjah has a fantastic expatriate community all participating in the many activities on offer, particularly in the desert and water.
Fujairah is on the east coast of the UAE and is one of the only emirates that is almost totally mountainous meaning that Fujairah experiences more rainfall than the other emirates. Fujairah is relatively small but it still has most of the amenities, restaurants and cafes that you would find in any of the larger emirates. Alcohol is available but only in hotel bars. Fujairah is known for its quiet beaches, water activities, mountain activities and a more relaxed lifestyle.
Ra's al Khaymah borders Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah, Sharjah and Oman. It is a one hour's drive away from Dubai. Ras Al Khaimah has a range of landscapes including desert, beach, salt flats and mountains making it a fantastic location for lovers of nature. Ra's al Khaymah is not a dry state, but it is not known for its nightlife either, some hotels have bars for after hours socialising.
Climate
The climate in the UAE is hot and dry. Temperatures vary between 15 degrees C in the cooler months to well into the 50's in the height of summer, sometimes even higher
Activities
Beaches are a big drawcard across the UAE, as well as the mountains and the desert. Shopping is also a big pasttime for the locals.
Eating and Drinking
You will find a nice mix of traditional Arabic and western food across the UAE. Some traditional Arabic food includes Shwarma, flat breads, falafel and hummus. You will also find the fast food joints such as McDonalds, Burger King and KFC as well.
Transport
Cars and taxis are still the main form of transport. Motorways are good between the emirates but as yet there are no rail systems in place.
Currency
The currency used across the UAE is the Dirham or AED.