I have learned so much since December 25, 2012 upon moving to Abu Dhabi. I learn everyday how to live as an expat. I invite you to learn something new everyday too.
What I’ve learned include:
Be open minded: to people, customs, routines and traditions. No one is all-knowing when they move to a new place. So explore your surroundings; jump on a bus and take a tour; talk to people in lines; take a walk; ASK questions. Learn to love the unknown.
Say “hello”. The men sweeping the leaves in the street are nice, happy people and probably don’t hear greetings from passersby very often. I’ve said hello to a man everyday since school started and now he makes eye contact with me and smiles. (I don’t think he speaks English.) The barista, the grocery store checkout people, the mall information man are all nice people. Share your wonderful self and smiles with them too!
Embrace change: From where I sit, there are numerous differences between living in the USA to the UAE. I’m embracing them! Look around and you’ll see changes in your life/world that will make every day better for you. Get out and do something different, even if it’s going a different way to school or work; brush your teeth with your other hand or move from the 12th floor to the 8th floor. Shake up your brain, muscles and thoughts.
There’s a lot to learn from exploring. What you don’t know could change everything. Believe me: there are miracles in the unknown! I’m living them!
Aloha,
Denise