Joining a network is easy!
While we automatically assume that American expats are one of the largest groups in all areas of the world, the truth is that very often it can be difficult to find someone from your former homeland unless you use social networking sites or social groups. There is a very interesting post in the Dubai Forum which has been started by an American who was moved to Dubai and looks to be missing the American way of life and American company.
Finding expats in your new homeland
As we suggested above, many of us automatically assume that the American expat community has reached every corner of the globe and taken over just about every single expat market. However, when you consider the size of an area such as Dubai, which is attracting significant overseas interest from business and private point of view, initially it can be difficult to meet up with expats from your homeland.
However, there are now many ways in which you can at least make contact with expats which include:-
The Internet
The Internet continues to open many doors for expats around the world, offering a very useful research tool and a way to communicate with people all over the world. However, some states such as Dubai have very strict rules on Internet activity and indeed as well as being monitored many websites and many social networking tools may well be barred or restricted. Thankfully, sites such as the expat forum offer a perfect opportunity to make contact with expats in your area and once initial contact has been made you can literally take it from there.
Social groups
As mentioned in the thread, there are a number of American social groups in Dubai which consist of expats who have moved to the region for either business or pleasure. While there may be a cost when joining these specific and focused social groups, if you are living in a foreign land and looking for company it can offer a perfect way to relieve the boredom and de-stress. Whether or not it is both healthy and correct to depend upon expat communities in the long-term is debatable because ultimately you move to a new country for a reason and you should at least attempt to take in the local culture and the local way of life.
Work colleagues
As the vast majority of people who have moved to Dubai will have some form of employment waiting for them, it can be a very easy option to socialise with your new work colleagues and try to build up a social network this way. Ultimately, the chances are that expats who have moved to Dubai will at some stage have gone through the same emotions and rollercoaster that you are feeling in the early days of life in your new homeland.
Building up a social network dependent upon work is also a little tricky in the longer term and you should, where possible, open up your life to others unconnected with work and ultimately expand your network of friends and acquaintances.
Leisure activities
As you might expect, many of the American members of the expat forum appear to miss the leisure and social side of life in America which includes American football and a beer down at the local bar. While it is possible to socialise in this fashion in Dubai you need to be careful because strictly speaking alcohol in public is illegal and it may take some time to find a suitable bar where you can watch sport and mix with fellow Americans.
While watching leisure activities is a very popular pastime amongst Americans it is also possible to build up a social network by participating in sporting events. Tennis, football and the like are all popular around the world and if you’re able to join a local sports club which will facilitate your interests it will not only help you stay fit and healthy but will also allow you to build up your own ring of friends.
Missing home?
One thing which becomes very evident at an early stage in this particular thread is the fact that many American expats do seem to miss the American way of life and socialising with fellow Americans. However, as we mentioned above, you need to do your homework before moving to any country around the world because ultimately, unless you’re extremely lucky, there is likely to be a significant difference in your former life style and your future lifestyle.
It is rather naive to expect a new homeland to accommodate a large element of your former lifestyle because ultimately you are moving to a new area of the world and with Dubai in particular, an area of the world with a strong culture and an often visual clash of East and West ideals.
Having a social life
No matter where you move too in the world it is vital that you have a social life outside of your work and outside of your home otherwise you may become depressed, over dependent upon a small group of people and ultimately you may not get the best out of your life overseas. All work and no play are not healthy for anybody and while many people will move to areas such as Dubai for employment and financial reasons, this is no reason to stay indoors 24 hours a day seven days a week and refrain from sampling the local culture and the local way of life.
Conclusion
It is evident from this particular thread that many American expats may move to Dubai, and other areas of the world, expecting to meet fellow Americans with very little effort. Unfortunately this is not always the case and it may take some time before you become aware of areas popular with American expats and it may take even longer to ingratiate yourself into this particular community.
If you are moving overseas, it is vital that you move with an open mind and a willingness to not only interact with the local non-expat community but also with a view to creating a network of friends and acquaintances that you can spend time with and depend upon. Whether you are there for one year, two years, five years or for the rest of your life, there is a need to rebuild and restyle your life otherwise you may become depressed and there may be further problems down the line.
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