My life as a traveling teacher.

“Good luck in Dubai!”. By the time my move to Abu Dhabi was imminent, I’d lost count of how many times people had mistakenly assumed/thought that I was actually moving to Dubai, and not the UAE’s capital. Only about an hour’s drive from each other, Abu Dhabi was dubbed “the new Middle East” by the writers of the horrific Sex and the City 2 movie; however, is usually lesser known than its flashy, buzzing, EXPO 2020 host-city sister. This is in no way a criticism what became a common mistake that I found myself politely nodding to instead of correcting. Having Googled “where is Abu Dhabi” shortly after having seen it on the list that resulted from my “international schools with Alberta curriculum” search, I was not in a place to judge or point fingers. Finding Abu Dhabi on a map was the first baby step of many in learning about life in the UAE. Having been here for about 6 weeks, the lesson learning is JUST beginning… but here is a glimpse of some of them thus far. Less

The last time I wrote, I pondered my next big life adventure – the one I wasn’t always certain would happen, but had been placed in the ‘maybe pile’. The opportunity I’d consider seriously in a time of need- during a sort of existential crisis where big changes needed to happen. The “next adventure” phase of my life moved from the ‘maybe pile’ to the ‘most definitely’ pile about a year ago.   I was in Cambodia and Hong Kong with my Senior High students on a two-week humanitarian and cultural travel studies experience. What I learned here shaped the decision I recently made to become a teacher in an international school. For those who want to know how it happened, read ahead. This also doubles as my blog entry for these countries, which I’ve never actually submitted. Oops.  CLICHÉ(S) ALERT(S): it was my first time in Asia, and I was absolutely taken aback. The locale was playing its part as much as the thrill that comes with seeing a new part of the world for th