From Tourist to Resident

10/10/2015

As much as I've always dreamed of living in another country, I never would of thought that would turn into a reality. Since as long as I could remember, I always wanted to just escape and visit exotic places.
When I first learned about Dubai (yes, learned because I’ve never even heard of that place) in 2009 from a friend that was living there, I have been obsessed ever since. I would research the country almost everyday up until the day I actually visited, which was six years later, January 2015. I just wanted to visit "the world tallest building". That’s all I told myself. Talk about speaking things into existence! I truly believe all things happen when there’re suppose to. When I first got to Dubai, I already knew that three days wasn't going to be enough. Have you ever saw a kid in a toy store? Or a person experience snow for the first time? Well that was me! Everything was amazing from the weather, the skylines, the people dressed in abaya's and kandoora's, I was so in awe. Fast forward, many people would ask "well, how did you choose Dubai out of all places?" To be honest, Dubai chose me. What really fascinated me the most, was my first Airbus 380 experience to Dubai. I've flown before many times, but never on an aircraft like the 380. Once I stepped foot on the aircraft, I immediately knew I wanted to work for that airline (I cannot mention the name for the sake of my job but if you are clever then you know which one I am talking about) As soon as I landed back in New York I had the website pulled up on my phone applying to be a "cabin crew." Fast forward, 8 months later I was packing to move to Dubai. Honestly, when I applied for the position and also went to the "assessment day" I thought I would be based in NY. Nope, to my surprise the assessment day is when I found out I would have to pack my things and move to Dubai. How exciting was that for me, to always have dreamed of living in another country to it actually happening. I can definitely say this is something I’ve manifested into existence. Below are some photos from my visit to Dubai, leading up to my interview day and also the day I saw my status update from "pending to approved", to packing my bags leaving New Jersey and arriving in Dubai and my very first night! Enjoy.