Hi guys, there was a topic earlier about teaching in Dubai – I have experience in both areas so I thought I’d compare/contrast them so as to clear up any misconceptions. To be more accurate, I worked in Tokyo first for Interac then for a private HS dispatch for several years total and currently I’ve been in Dubai for several years
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Teaching in the Middle East
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***PROS***
**-More money.** *Starting* salaries are usually around $3600-$4000 a month and better schools pay more. Additionally, you can make some serious extra money with private lessons (I do some private lessons where I make $75 an hour). Also, income is “Tax-free” so you pay much less in taxes (I remember how much I had to pay for city taxes in Japan – much better in Dubai).
When I worked in Japan, I was paycheck to paycheck on Interac and only saved a little bit each month at my private JHS dispatch (EduCareer). Here in Dubai, I save a lot more
**-Housing situation is better.** My company subsidizes my housing so I only pay about $400 a month. Many companies subsidize their teacher’s housing so that adds more to disposable income. The apartments are also a bit more spacious and overall better than in Japan (IMO)
***CONS***
**-Competitive.** It’s not as easy to land a job and you do need qualifications to teach in Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi etc. It’s not like in Japan where you need to have a pulse
**-Divided by gender.** As a male, I’m only allowed to teach male students. Females can oly teach female students. I’m personally not a fan of this at all. Furthermore, female teachers face some discrimination here, not in pay but in society.
**-Boring.** Students here aren’t very genki, energetic or happy. The cultural differences make teaching less enjoyable here.
**-Less free time.** I get summer off but I had a bit more time off in Japan. Not a huge difference but I probably work an extra 2 weeks here than I did in Japan.
**-Less enjoyable culture.** Should be easy to guess why, but Tokyo was a more interesting/exciting city than Dubai. However, there is still plenty to see/do in Dubai so it’s not terrible.
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Conclusion – If you have loans/debt or want to save money, teaching in the Middle East is better. If money is not a factor, you’ll probably have a better time in Japan.
22 comments
Dubai has a lot of blood money, the super wealthy exploiting the poor. Morally, I’d feel pretty terrible making a living knowing that’s where my salary is coming from.
That was very interesting- thanks for doing
No amount of money will entice me to go to Dubai, FWIW
Interesting. Any suggestions on agents or companies to trust if looking into teaching in the Middle East?
“As a male, I’m only allowed to teach male students. Females can oly teach female students. I’m personally not a fan of this at all.”
That… doesn’t come across as creepy at all.
Interesting! I’ve always wanted to teach in Japan so I will never leave
but 25 years ago I taught in Mexico it was a similar situation as the Middle East.
Yes, very interesting. I’m sure I have the quals and would get a good job, but I would not feel right teaching in a country that is so misogynistic. It would be interesting to visit, get to know the culture, but not to live there.
But thanks for the post, def food for thought.
Yeah, middle east it lit right now. My friend moved from teaching in Japan to teaching in Qatar and is making way more money.
Something something… you can and will get very drunk in Japan. Whereas in most of the middle east, you won’t even wanna go for a walk at night to clear your head.
Could not agree more about the less enjoyable culture in Dubai.
Japan’s music, art and fashion is so vibrant and eclectic whereas Dubai feels very shallow.
For example, the nightlife in Dubai felt very mainstream and controlled. When I was in Japan I could experience so many niches (in art, music and fashion) it was insane.
Cons: You have to live in Dubai.
I studied abroad in Egypt and it was as fun in everyway as Japan but I really never saw the appeal of the Gulf Countries beyond money.
Con: you live in a Muslim country that still treats women as second class citizens
Just the thought of living in a country where rape victims can get arrested and homosexuality is illegal doesn’t seem worth the money.
Dubai seems a bit bland to me (almost like a giant shopping center). I’m sure a year or two there could be worthwhile though.
Thanks for sharing.
As a woman, I have no interest in going to a Muslim country to live.
Even one as ‘open’ as UAE.
Just a side story. A gay friend worked as a flight attendant for a few years and was based in Dubai. He told me some FA worked as porta potties for some rich guys . I got in this rabbit hole written by a former porta potty who bragged she has now 1million $ in her bank account.
It’s so hot
The bus stops have air conditioners
Boring, no character compared to Japan. As others have mentioned, Tokyo streets are a labyrinth of mystery and wonder. Other cities there are cute and quaint.
I wish I could teach in Dubai but my lack of unidegree doesn’t seem to trump experience haha.
I really wanna go to a country where you can only drink at hotels.
I never want to live in Dubai, or any Muslim country. I’m gay.
With DXB being the biggest international hub, it would be extremely convenient to travel elsewhere if you want to. But yes, Dubai’s better to visit than live (though you’ll make a lot if you live there).
Very informative post, I like it. Thank you for sharing man.
I’ve been thinking of getting into teaching myself once I graduate and I was hoping of escaping the UK to teach. Get out of this grey hell hole.