Repatriation
Why repatriating from the UAE is not on the bucket list
By Suzanne Berg of a rather small , tight-knit community of adventurous educators .
With good reason , many bucket lists include more travel destinations than the average person might visit in a lifetime . The chances of debt-laden westerners country-hopping multiple times per year , while living on teacher salaries are slim-to-none . But here , travel is de rigueur ; in fact , prepare for the sideways glances if there ’ s a break and you opt for a ‘ staycation !’ “ You haven ’ t been to Sri Lanka yet ? Thailand , Jordan , Egypt , Vietnam ? Why not ?!” I ’ ve been fortunate enough to cross six countries off my bucket list in the past two years while meeting personal financial goals as well . Many Asian countries are not only accessible but super affordable once you arrive , so it ’ s beyond tempting to explore this corner of the world as much as our work schedules allow .
Expat life is usually a temporary state of living , and the term repatriation applies when those living abroad move back to their country of origin . As my two-year contract has been fulfilled , I find myself among the hundreds of teachers who will repatriate this July .
Seriously … I ’ m heading home ?
Admittedly , back in 2014 when I took the plunge into Middle Eastern territory , I was homesick for quite some time . But as I ’ ve acclimated myself to Abu Dhabi , it ’ s becoming more difficult to picture my return to Chicago . One strategy I ’ ll employ to sort out mixed feelings is to review and update my bucket list . Many expats keep such a life checklist ; if you haven ’ t created one yet , I urge you to do so .
Moving to the UAE has allowed thousands of teachers the freedom to live more fully . Whether it ’ s higher pay , shorter working hours , or widely available activities that allow us to feel like we ’ re living large ( can you say “ Friday brunch ”? Every Friday , if you choose !), conversation has turned more than once to the fact that many of us have been able to catch our breath for the first time in a long while .
After all , outside of work hours , living in Abu Dhabi is a type of fantasyland . Caught between local and tourist , we eventually find our niche in the UAE . Though not ‘ A-listers ’, we partake in adventures that would be few and far between at home . Aside from gathering in 5-star hotels to brunch , we attend yacht parties , concerts , and safaris , all while enjoying the company
Whether or not you remain in the UAE after the school year comes to a close , a bucket list can motivate you to make the most of your time , money , and opportunities . In an area teeming with millions of expats , it ’ s easy to cultivate friendships and seek out adventures together . If travel isn ’ t a priority , jot down other important goals and treat your bucket list like a to-do list for your life . I vowed to eradicate my graduate school loans , a feat that would ’ ve taken me 15 years at the rate I was going in the States . Bucket list item # 1 : Return home debt-free . Check !
Closing the chapter on expat life isn ’ t easy , especially with many friends staying for at least another year . Some have no plans to repatriate and will move around as long as possible . I may not know what lies ahead , but in modifying and updating my goals , I have a slew of new possibilities to achieve .
Either way , as an expat or a repatriate , organise your bucket list and start living ! After all , the more you see and do , the more you realize how many experiences await , and you only have one life in which to do it !
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After The Bell May - Jun 2016