Culture
Cultural awareness
There are many rich benefits to being a teacher in the UAE. The most obvious benefits are related to better salary packages, tax-free living, extensive travel opportunities and being a member of a highly culturally diverse community. The not so obvious benefits include learning about a new culture, integrating into Middle Eastern living, and spending time to become even more innovative at what you do – teaching.
The UAE is the home to over 180 different nationalities. This makes it a melting pot of different cultures. It is a space where people from different cultural backgrounds all have to work together. As such, developing an awareness of how to conduct yourself in social and professional settings is crucial in developing successful relationships.
Nasif Kayed, Inter-Cultural and Motivational Speaker and Founder of The Arab Culturalist, has worked extensively promoting cultural understanding and tolerance. His work focuses on team building and encouraging cohesive work environments within the UAE’ s multicultural landscape.
As you learn more about your new home, consider the following tips Nasif shared on things culturally aware expatriates do differently:
1. They advocate for better understanding of misconceptions and are willing to change their perception about other cultures.
2. They tend to dress more modestly, especially when attending traditional UAE events.
3. They are keen to learn more about UAE culture and engage more with locals.
4. They are aware of their own cultural norms and find commonalities with other cultures instead of differences.
5. They are comfortable in diverse cultural settings.
Cultural sensitivity should be one of the key focuses for expatriate teachers. The UAE is a Muslim country. It is also
22 | 2016- 2017 | a very tolerant country. That said; there are rules and expectations that we all need to be mindful of as residents and guests of the UAE.
Our Teach Middle East writers have written extensively on the topic of culture. The following are some of their tips on the importance of being culturally aware.
Dr Jan L Jones in her article, * Cultural Sensitivity and the International Educator, examined cultural sensitivity, cultural awareness and cultural knowledge.
According to her article, * Cultural sensitivity is the ability to recognise that cultural differences exist. People who care about cultural sensitivity place importance on the value of this diversity. Cultural knowledge involves the aspiration to taking the time to familiarize one’ s self with selected cultural characteristics, history, values, belief systems, and behaviours of the members of another ethnic group.’
She stated that,“ Not understanding the unique experiences and cultural differences of students in your classroom can lead to unintended anxiety, miscommunication, and bad experiences for both the student and the teacher.”
This theory extends beyond the classroom, as many expatriate teachers at some point interact with members of the community, a large number of whom are from different cultural backgrounds.
Bettina Bennett, in * An Open Letter to Newly Hired Teachers, offers some nuggets of advice.
• Be open minded and willing to try something different.
• Learn what is allowed and remember it when you are here!
• Understand the norms and expectations of your workplace.
• Don’ t forget that the local tolerance of our ways does not condone our ignorance of their ways.
Another article, * Top 10 Tips for Teachers who are New to the UAE, by Alona Ballard, also addresses aspects of UAE culture and traditions. Among her suggestions are points
such as,“… learn a little Arabic, be aware of the laws in place that are in accordance with the country’ s Islamic values, experience the culture by checking out festivals, desert safaris and Bedouin camps, and not taking some comments personally that indicate cultural differences.”
Learn about UAE culture
National Day in the UAE is a big deal for both Emiratis and expatriates. It is a time of unity, celebration, and national pride. To date, Teach Middle East Magazine has produced two supplements that focus extensively on National Day in the UAE. To read more, visit http:// teachmiddleeastmag. com / category / magazine / issues / to check out our November-December 2014 and 2015 issues.
Quick facts on the UAE
The President of the UAE is HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi. The Vice President is HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
The United Arab Emirates is a tolerant Muslim country. Islam is the largest and official state religion of the UAE. There are numerous mosques located in each Emirate. The * Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the official mosque