Another Local Expat here
I have recently come across some relevant posts by bloggers who have unfortunately passed through similar experiences as myself where upon reaching the age of 18 you are more or less kicked of the country were you were raised, went to school, grew up in and basically call home:
http://bujassem.blogspot.com/2005/12/reverse-culture-shock.html
http://localexpatriate.blogspot.com/2006/10/welcome.html
The confusion and the coming to terms of that the UAE was never a home but merely a long stay were once your business (whether its school, university or work) is finished you back your bags and leave was hard to comprehend. It was even worse on my return to know that most my friends have also moved on and that the places that I used to visit were demolished. It was like having all of your memories of the place wiped out bit by bit.
It gets even worse, on graduating with a good 2.1 BEng from a redbrick university I returned to UAE to look for employment. The outcome was as many of you would have faced. It was hard but the harder part for me was to accept that I was a second class citizen in a country were I grew up. That if I was offered a job I would have to accept that I could be replaced by a national who would have earned more than me with a lesser qualification, I also have to accept that I won’t have a permanent home for myself and that my family would be second class citizens. This I couldn’t stand and so I have moved to the UK permanently, at least here I can make my own future. No need for wasta to get a low paid shitty job.
Don’t get me wrong I don’t hate UAE or blame the locals; it’s just that the government could have easily incorporated “local expats” somehow. How many young, qualified, professional people have they lost through there grasps and have immigrated to UK, Canada, Australia and USA. Those young people could have injected more economy, they saw UAE as they’re home, and they would’ve stood up to anyone saying bad things about it.
Not me now. I say just let it be. And if I do return I’ll treat it like every Tom, Dick and Harry do. Earn my money and take it elsewhere!!!
http://bujassem.blogspot.com/2005/12/reverse-culture-shock.html
http://localexpatriate.blogspot.com/2006/10/welcome.html
The confusion and the coming to terms of that the UAE was never a home but merely a long stay were once your business (whether its school, university or work) is finished you back your bags and leave was hard to comprehend. It was even worse on my return to know that most my friends have also moved on and that the places that I used to visit were demolished. It was like having all of your memories of the place wiped out bit by bit.
It gets even worse, on graduating with a good 2.1 BEng from a redbrick university I returned to UAE to look for employment. The outcome was as many of you would have faced. It was hard but the harder part for me was to accept that I was a second class citizen in a country were I grew up. That if I was offered a job I would have to accept that I could be replaced by a national who would have earned more than me with a lesser qualification, I also have to accept that I won’t have a permanent home for myself and that my family would be second class citizens. This I couldn’t stand and so I have moved to the UK permanently, at least here I can make my own future. No need for wasta to get a low paid shitty job.
Don’t get me wrong I don’t hate UAE or blame the locals; it’s just that the government could have easily incorporated “local expats” somehow. How many young, qualified, professional people have they lost through there grasps and have immigrated to UK, Canada, Australia and USA. Those young people could have injected more economy, they saw UAE as they’re home, and they would’ve stood up to anyone saying bad things about it.
Not me now. I say just let it be. And if I do return I’ll treat it like every Tom, Dick and Harry do. Earn my money and take it elsewhere!!!
posted by tobasco at 11/10/2006 11:41:00 am
4 Comments:
First of All mabrook el blog , o inshallah 3ala wejho betshoof/i el 5eir .
In my opinion the discrimination you have just mentioned is being practiced in every single country WITH DIFFERENT DEGREEES , but the way ppl r formally classified into classes at the UAE , that is a total uncivilized in my way , though it might be beter than other countries , because it marks yr limits clearly ......
CheeerZ!
Thanks for your comment dar.
This is like choosing between two evils but I definitely agree that blatant discrimination is better than smiling then discriminating behind ones back.
lol I got an MEng :P but wasn't lucky to get a 2.1
I worked in the UK after graduating because by luck I got a good offer with a leading consultancy so I thought it would be fun to stay and see how working life is different from student life.. and indeed it was better especially at the end of the month when u see the ££££ in your account :)
Come on now do you really think that the dogs of the Gulf are humans? To hell with them. Fuck them and their country or little islands that is.
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