Starting Teaching in the UAE August 2017/ Accommodation

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gravatar-icon Posted on · by Craig S.

Hi Everyone,

I recently achieved a Design Technology teaching position in the UAE. Just wondering if anyone else will be starting in August 2017 and has any clue about where they are going to be staying after the 13 nights in the hotel that the government pays for? I know most people stay in the hotel for a while but wouldn't mind getting in on shared accommodation if that's possible. Anyone thinking the same thing?

Craig

40 Comments

  1. gravatar-icon
    Ian J.
    April 26, 2017 at 6.20 am

    Hi Craig,

    I should be starting in August 2017 but haven't yet had the final official contract. I have been offered a Maths position, and don't know what emirate I will be in until I arrive in the UAE.

    Is this the same with you, as it makes it difficult to pre-plan accommodation! 13 nights in a hotel is the same as I have been told as well. I am assuming in those 13 days you will meet people in the school, hopefully get some suggestions as to where to stay - do some research into places to rent, arranging a vehicle/driving licence etc.

    Ian.

  1. gravatar-icon
    Rhachell Brenda W.
    April 27, 2017 at 9.12 am

    Hi Craig, in same boat as you. I am looking to house share too, if it means getting a nice place. Let me know what you think.

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    Karissa T.
    July 24, 2017 at 8.26 pm

    Hi Rhachell I would love to connect before we travel to the UAE

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    Matthew W.
    April 27, 2017 at 9.26 am

    Hi Craig and everyone else!

    I have been offered a Design Tech job too. I would definitely be up for sharing accommodation, however it is worth noting that you could be placed in a school anywhere in the northern Emirates, several hundred Km's apart! I've been told that we will get our placements upon arrival.

    Where are your home countries? Would you like to have a whats app/ Facebook chat? It would be nice to know some people upon arrival.

    Matt

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    rahmani w.
    December 20, 2017 at 4.56 am

    Hi Matthew , I hope your doing well. how is your job? I have done with my phone interview.(Design Technology/computer science Teacher)
    I have to attend the face to face meeting with delegates. They told i will have to complete my test first, and then interview. As you have done those
    so, please can you tell me , by your experience what will be in the test (java, networking, python, sql, html etc)? and what will be the interview questions ?
    I am bit nervous. This information will be really great and helpful. Thank you.

  1. gravatar-icon
    Ian J.
    April 27, 2017 at 1.33 pm

    Hi Matt,

    I don't think the northern Emirates are that far apart but 100+ km definitely from West to East and South to North.

    I'm UK - Wales, I'd be up for an FB/WhatsApp group/chat.

    Docs been authenticated, sent to Foreign Office and UAE Embassy and on their way back to me.

    Next step I guess is waiting (some more) to hear from UAE after they have checked all the other forms/docs we have had to fill in?

    Ian.

  1. gravatar-icon
    Arlene M.
    April 27, 2017 at 3.23 pm

    Hello Everyone,

    I've also received an initial offer and waiting for the official one. I am in NC - USA. I'm interested in joining the Facebook chat as well.

    Arlene

  1. gravatar-icon
    Susan T.
    June 18, 2018 at 12.02 pm

    Hi Arlene,

    It looks like you've been teaching in the UAE for about one year now; can I ask you a few questions?

    Susan

  1. gravatar-icon
    Matthew W.
    May 1, 2017 at 3.55 pm

    Hi all,

    I've set up a Facebook group that you can all join however this page is difficult for posting links... I am trying though!

    Matt

  1. gravatar-icon
    Ian J.
    May 1, 2017 at 5.18 pm

    Says 'Content not available' again. Said the same on the last post that was removed?

  1. gravatar-icon
    Ian J.
    May 2, 2017 at 7.18 am

    Hi Craig,

    Thanks - just waiting now for that final contract.

    I'd be up for a WhatsApp group. Don't know why the FB group didn't work. Did it work for anyone else? The first post with it was removed, not sure why.

    Talking to others would be good, quite a daunting move - so much (I am guessing as don't really know!) to do and get sorted.

    Ian.

  1. gravatar-icon
    Craig S.
    May 2, 2017 at 9.18 am

    Hi Ian and everyone else.

    That's great. Hope it comes through okay.

    I'l have a go tonight at trying to make one and i'l let everyone know how it goes. Totally agree it would be good to chat to other people about the move. Would be lying if I didn't feel a little apprehensive about the whole think but i'm really looking forward to it.

    My full name is Craig Seddon if you (or anybody else) want to add me on fb, i'm living in Douglas at the moment.

  1. gravatar-icon
    Ian J.
    May 2, 2017 at 2.49 pm

    That worked! Asked to join :)

  1. gravatar-icon
    Ian J.
    May 2, 2017 at 2.51 pm

    And I'm in a similar frame of mind. Apprehensive but also really looking forward to it!

    It's 41 degrees at the moment out there. Bit hot.

  1. gravatar-icon
    Samantha N.
    May 4, 2017 at 6.08 pm

    Hello everyone, I'll be joining you guys in August (hopefully). Just waiting to hear from UAE. I'm excited and a little nervous. I'll look you guys up on FB. I've been searching the web for ideas on places to live, purchasing a car..... etc. Does anyone have a really good website for expats?

  1. gravatar-icon
    Ian J.
    May 5, 2017 at 5.32 am

    Hi Samantha,

    Bit tricky looking for places to live when you don't know what emirate even you will be in! Did research places & cars in Dubai as that is the most expensive, wasn't too bad. Not a lot of info out there really.

    Ian.

  1. gravatar-icon
    Rhachell Brenda W.
    May 5, 2017 at 7.32 am

    Great! I will look you up on FB too :)

    Thanks for the info... Any news on the whatsapp group so far?

  1. gravatar-icon
    Ian J.
    May 5, 2017 at 5.52 pm

    No WhatsApp FB group there though :)

  1. gravatar-icon
    Arlene M.
    May 7, 2017 at 8.32 pm

    Hey Everyone,
    I did receive my official offer ;). I can't seem to find the facebook group, please help.

  1. gravatar-icon
    Craig S.
    May 8, 2017 at 6.44 am

    Hi Ian,

    I was beginning to wonder if that was the case to be honest. If everyone tries to find it then that would probably be the best option. Of if I add peoples numbers to the whatsapp group and then post a link through that maybe.
    Thanks for letting me know.

    Craig

  1. gravatar-icon
    Ian J.
    May 17, 2017 at 8.11 pm

    Hi All,

    No posts for a while, thought I would let you know things are moving in the right direction as I received my official offer also last night. Passed the checks, more docs etc to fill in. Didn't realise you could express a preference as to which emirate you would like to teach in until now (no guarantees apparently though).

    Ian.

  1. gravatar-icon
    Berian D.
    May 24, 2017 at 9.06 am

    Just wanted to say hello. Off to UAE in August as well. Just been told I've passed the pre employment check and waiting for the Full Contract to arrive! will be teaching DT! Can't wait!

  1. gravatar-icon
    Sabah K.
    July 2, 2017 at 12.28 pm

    Hi Berian,
    Can you please tell me what the pre-employment check entails? Thx bunches

  1. gravatar-icon
    Ian J.
    May 24, 2017 at 5.45 pm

    Hi Berian,

    Nice one :) There is a FB group and a WhatsApp if you are interested. They seem to keep deleting references to external groups - must be against the T&Cs on here.

    On FB if you search for 'UAE Freshers' group I think you will find it though.

    Ian.

  1. gravatar-icon
    Heather G.
    May 25, 2017 at 8.10 pm

    Like everyone else, I will be heading to the UAE in August and am waiting on the final documents as well. More nervous now that I have read your posts.
    Heather

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    Ian J.
    May 26, 2017 at 2.41 pm

    Hi Heather,

    What in particular made you nervous?

    Ian.

  1. gravatar-icon
    Kalache J.
    May 30, 2017 at 8.03 pm

    Hi, I have recently applied to plenty of schools in the UAE. I was wondering how long did it take for you guys to get approved or reviewed. Really hoping to get hired for the new school year. Does anyone have any tips or anything they would recommend? Where exactly they applied to ? what not to do? whats real and whats a scam?
    Thanks,
    Kay

  1. gravatar-icon
    Heather G.
    May 31, 2017 at 8.01 pm

    Ian,

    I am waiting on my visa and travel documents to be issued. I know it takes a long time. I was feeling a little impatient, but am so excited to be going on this adventure.

    Heather

  1. gravatar-icon
    Ian J.
    June 1, 2017 at 11.29 am

    Well It's took nearly six months to get to this stage so I can wait a bit longer! Think most of us now are waiting for the travel arrangements etc. I have surely filled in enough forms......:)

    Ian.

  1. gravatar-icon
    Komal P.
    May 31, 2017 at 11.28 pm

    Hi all! UAE is amazing! I have applied for a few jobs myself still waiting to hear back. If you like Indian food try a place called Mina Baazar. I ate a whole meal for £5! Enjoy yourselves. Komal

  1. gravatar-icon
    Jacqueline M.
    June 2, 2017 at 8.58 am

    Hi Ian and Heather.

    I'm moving to the UAE in Aug. I'm just nervously waiting for the travel arrangements. Glad to know I am not the only one. Can't wait to meet all of you!

  1. gravatar-icon
    Rita S.
    June 6, 2017 at 2.14 pm

    Hey Everyone,

    I received my initial offer letter, signed and returned this and now I am anxiously awaiting my official contract. Has anyone signed their official contract yet for MOE for 2017? I also already received the "passed employment check" email about two weeks ago. They said it would be a few days for the contract...still waiting.

    Is anyone else in this same boat or have you all signed your official contract with MOE?

    Thanks for the help!

    Rita

  1. gravatar-icon
    Tanisha C.
    June 6, 2017 at 6.59 pm

    Rita,

    I am new to this. How did you successfully secure a position? I haven't heard anything back yet.

  1. gravatar-icon
    Rita S.
    June 7, 2017 at 12.44 pm

    Hey Tanisha,

    I am waiting to hear back on the final contract. My recruiter emailed me a month ago with an initial offer letter but I am still waiting for my actual contract. Is that what step you are on as well? I was told I passed the "pre-employment check" and that they would be drafting my contract in a couple of days, that was 2 weeks ago.

  1. gravatar-icon
    Tanisha C.
    June 8, 2017 at 3.06 pm

    Rita,

    I have just started I'm wondering how you got to the step you are at. Did you reach out to schools? Also, what did you do to make your self stand out as an applicant?

  1. gravatar-icon
    Shirin S.
    June 23, 2017 at 2.02 pm

    Hello Tanisha:

    Your first step is to apply to the positions that you are interested in, paying close attention to the minimum requirements. You will be surprised how many applications come in without having met the qualifications listed. From here on, apply to as many positions as you are interested in and if you are selected for an initial interview you will be contacted

    Good luck with your search and applications
    Best,
    Shirin

  1. gravatar-icon
    Zahra A.
    July 2, 2017 at 6.59 pm

    Not too many comments on that group, but we’ve been in constant contact on the Georgia Peaches, Sand and Beaches FB group

  1. gravatar-icon
    rahmani w.
    December 20, 2017 at 5.05 am

    Hi every one there, hopefully doing well. Can you please share your experience(questions asked) at delegates interview?
    I have done my telephone interview for computer teacher and waiting for the January interview dates. please help to sort
    out and your information will be really helpful. Thank you.

  1. gravatar-icon
    Amy L.
    December 21, 2017 at 10.14 pm

    Oh, is it January? They have a job fair in Feb. , I plan on going. Let me know if you are interested. You can find me on FB zenie,xenie

  1. gravatar-icon
    Hasina S.
    June 12, 2019 at 10.20 pm

    Hello, I have recently been selected as D&T teacher in UAE. And since you seem to have worked as same there, I would love to connect and seek answers to my doubt's..