Frequently Asked Questions about Abu Dhabi
►Will it be difficult to make friends in Abu Dhabi?
Abu Dhabi, like all areas in the UAE, claims a larger expat community than local community. As a result, there’s plenty of opportunity for newcomers to find others who share their language, nationality, ethnicity, background and interests.
That said, it can be hard to make new friends initially, especially if you’re not involved in a workplace. There’s lots to do, but often times people are hesitant to attend events alone.
One of the best ways to make friends fast is to join a business or social group. There’s plenty in Abu Dhabi, and nearly all group members were newcomers themselves at one point, so they understand the initial challenges of relocating to the emirate.
One group in particular that’s proven incredibly helpful to American women is the American Woman’s Network (AWN). The group’s co-president has initiated an “Ambassador Program” which pairs newcomers with experienced expats in an effort to ease their transition abroad.
►How important is it to speak the local language?
Arabic is the national language but English is the business language, and most signs and documents are published in both. This means you can get by without speaking more than a few words of Arabic – but there is no doubt you can make a real impact in business and social dealings by learning to speak conversational Arabic. So few expats make the effort to do so, that it is the simplest and most effective way to stand out in a positive manner.
Do keep in mind that in a city made up of so many different nationalities, different levels of English proficiency abound. You may find yourself speaking in short, choppy sentences to a domestic helper, the petrol attendant and even the waiter or waitress at the restaurant.
Be patient, and remember, this is all part of the experience that comes with living overseas.
►Can I ship my pets to Abu Dhabi?
You may ship pets to Abu Dhabi but given the heat and the likelihood of living in an apartment, large animals will not have a high quality of life. On the plus side, there are no quarantine laws.
Abu Dhabi, like all areas in the UAE, claims a larger expat community than local community. As a result, there’s plenty of opportunity for newcomers to find others who share their language, nationality, ethnicity, background and interests.
That said, it can be hard to make new friends initially, especially if you’re not involved in a workplace. There’s lots to do, but often times people are hesitant to attend events alone.
One of the best ways to make friends fast is to join a business or social group. There’s plenty in Abu Dhabi, and nearly all group members were newcomers themselves at one point, so they understand the initial challenges of relocating to the emirate.
One group in particular that’s proven incredibly helpful to American women is the American Woman’s Network (AWN). The group’s co-president has initiated an “Ambassador Program” which pairs newcomers with experienced expats in an effort to ease their transition abroad.
►How important is it to speak the local language?
Arabic is the national language but English is the business language, and most signs and documents are published in both. This means you can get by without speaking more than a few words of Arabic – but there is no doubt you can make a real impact in business and social dealings by learning to speak conversational Arabic. So few expats make the effort to do so, that it is the simplest and most effective way to stand out in a positive manner.
Do keep in mind that in a city made up of so many different nationalities, different levels of English proficiency abound. You may find yourself speaking in short, choppy sentences to a domestic helper, the petrol attendant and even the waiter or waitress at the restaurant.
Be patient, and remember, this is all part of the experience that comes with living overseas.
►Can I ship my pets to Abu Dhabi?
You may ship pets to Abu Dhabi but given the heat and the likelihood of living in an apartment, large animals will not have a high quality of life. On the plus side, there are no quarantine laws.
