Living Abroad: Is It Really Worth It?

Ever since high school, I always had the desire to experience living outside of Brazil. Not for status or to post pretty pictures on social media saying I'm living abroad, but because, from an early age, I felt a deep dissatisfaction with the living conditions we're offered here.

Why I wanted to leave Brazil

The issue of safety was always one of the main reasons that motivated me to want to leave as soon as I had the chance. It's no secret to anyone how much urban violence and social inequality affect our daily lives. And when I landed my first job as a developer, I began to realize, even more clearly, how much the Brazilian worker is, more often than not, undervalued, while Brazilian labor is, curiously, very well regarded abroad.

This motivated me even more to study English with greater dedication and to deepen my programming studies, in order to increase my chances of landing a position overseas. Initially, my plan was to work remotely for a company abroad, to understand what it was like to work with different cultures, learn to deal with the processes and demands of other countries, and, who knows, take the first step toward leaving for good.

The opportunity in the United Arab Emirates

Image 1: Emirate of Abu Dhabi

One day, the opportunity came up to work in the United Arab Emirates as an expert at the WorldSkills Competition, representing the country in the international competition. The position required me to move to the capital, Abu Dhabi, and start a new life there. It seemed like the perfect chance to put into practice everything I had been planning.

To be very honest, I didn't think much before making the decision. Of course, at first, the insecurity hits hard: will I adapt? Will I be able to manage in a country with such a different culture? But my desire to live this experience spoke louder, and the feeling of investing in my future overcame any fear.

After three months of the selection process, document preparation, visa, and flight, I finally arrived in the country, in September 2023, ready to take on this new journey.

My experience so far

I currently have 1 year and 9 months of experience in the Emirates, and I don't regret it for a single second.

Of course, it's hard being far from family, childhood friends, and even our food (who hasn't missed a good plate of rice and beans?). But the gain in quality of life more than makes up for it. Being able to walk down the street without fear, being able to afford a car, a video game (😆), nice clothes, traveling more often, and achieving financial stability in a first-world country are benefits that, honestly, make it all worthwhile.

On top of that, I feel very privileged because of the people I've met here. I made friends who helped me adapt, and the multicultural environment expanded my mind in ways I never imagined. The upbringing I received from my family and the values they passed on to me were essential for me to make the most of this experience. Without that foundation, it would be much harder.

What I've already shared on LinkedIn

In a post I made on LinkedIn after almost three months living in the United Arab Emirates, I shared some of my first impressions about this new phase of my life.

Here are some excerpts and reflections I highlighted:

🌡️ Temperature

One of the first things that surprised me was the intense heat. I arrived at the hotel around 2 a.m. and, as I got out of the car, my glasses fogged up instantly due to the abrupt change in temperature. It was almost 40 °C in the middle of the night! Fortunately, this is characteristic of summer; toward the end of the year, the weather gets much milder.

🕒 Time Zone

The time difference is seven hours from Brazil. This makes communicating with family a bit challenging, requiring planning to find suitable times to talk without scheduling conflicts.

🛡️ Safety

Safety in Abu Dhabi is one of the aspects that impressed me the most. The city is considered one of the safest in the world, with cameras in practically every place. The feeling of being able to go out at night, use your phone on the street without fear, or even leave a laptop in a public place and find it untouched hours later is something extraordinary. For us Brazilians, used to always being on alert, this peace of mind is almost surreal.

🗣️ Accents and Communication

Although Arabic is the official language, more than 80% of the population is made up of foreigners, making English essential for communication. However, everyone has their own accent: Indians, Filipinos, Pakistanis, English, Irish, Emiratis, among others, which can make comprehension challenging at first. Adapting to this linguistic diversity requires patience and practice.

💰 Cost of Living

The cost of living here is significantly higher than in Brazil. However, this is offset by greater purchasing power, due to the higher salaries. It's essential to research and plan financially before moving, to avoid difficulties. Abu Dhabi is a modern city, with quality infrastructure, and has a culture of luxury and extravagance, offering countless consumer opportunities.

📑 Note: If you'd like to read the full post, I'll leave the link to the LinkedIn post here: click here.

Conclusion

Image 2: Mikael in Lyon, France, for the WorldSkills Competition 2024

Answering the question in the title: yes, it's absolutely worth it.

Study English, invest in your education, and if you, like me, feel outraged by the situation in Brazil, seek out opportunities to explore other horizons. The world is much bigger than we imagine, and there are many possibilities for those willing to work hard and adapt.

For me, it has been a fantastic experience, both professionally and personally. If you have this dream, go after it with courage and determination.

I'll leave my contact info in case you want to exchange ideas or ask questions. A big hug!

Email: mikaelrsimoes19@gmail.com

LinkedIn: Mikael Ribeiro (DM me)