From Travellers to Expats: Sweet Home Abu Dhabi

A little over a year ago, we took a leap into the unknown to pursue a long-time dream and embarked on a sabbatical to travel the world and spend quality time together as a family. After a wonderful time, we have upped our game and reshuffled our world completely: we have moved to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates!

Moving Abroad: Do or Don’t?

During out last nine years of living in Denmark, we have occasionally discussed moving abroad, but we always found that with small children Denmark was the best location for us. However, as we explored new countries and cultures over the last 12 months, the desire to live somewhere new and experiencing a different culture and way of living gained a new intensity.

We were also inspired by how much Niklas and Frederik enjoyed experiencing new cultures and countries during our travels. Their world became much bigger and reflected as they experienced how people live in different ways and with diverse traditions. As such, we thought moving abroad would be a great learning for them and a great preparation for living in the global world of today.

United Arab Emirates: Cultural Melting Pot and Closeness to Europe

The idea to live in United Arab Emirates was born from our two month stay in the country in winter 2021/2022. We have often been in Dubai on holiday over the last decade, but last winter was the first time we spent a longer period of time here and got a feel for what it is like to live in this part of the world.

We were fascinated by the fast-developing country, its position as a hub for the broader Middle East and the fact that it is a melting pot for people from across the world. Moreover, English being the main work language and the close distance and limited time difference to Europe, which makes keeping contact to family and friends back home easy, were also attractive facts making us consider this as a place to call home.

Michael was able to secure a job with First Abu Dhabi Bank from July 2022 and I will find a job once we are truly settled. After a few family sessions weighing for and against going, we decided to take the leap and move abroad. Our philosophy: if we don’t do it, we will always wonder what it would have been like – and if we don’t like it we can always go back!

Settling in!

We have now been in Abu Dhabi as a family for a month’s time. The children have started at the German International School, our belongings fom Copenhagen have arrived and we have moved into our new house.

So far the spirit is high and we enjoy taking this new experience on as a family. The weather so far has been extremely warm – but nothing a swim in the pool or a cold ice cream can’t fix! And we are now looking forward to the next months where we will learn even more and truly start making this our new home country.