Dubai, UAE
When I stepped off the plane at Dubai International Airport, I didn’t just arrive in a new country—I landed in a whole new version of myself.
Two years ago, I moved from Delhi to Dubai for a job in social media marketing. Back then, all I knew was that I wanted more. More exposure, more opportunities, more growth. What I didn’t expect was that this desert city would give me more of everything—culture, food, people, ambition, and life itself.
The First Glimpse of Gold
Dubai sparkles. And I don’t just mean the skyline or the luxury cars zipping past on Sheikh Zayed Road. The city has this shine—an energy that pushes you to dream bigger.
My first job was with a boutique agency in Business Bay. Our clients ranged from fashion brands in Dubai Mall to wellness retreats in Bali. The pace was fast, the people were smart, and the possibilities were endless. Everyone around me seemed to be building something—from side hustles to startups—and that made me want to hustle harder too.
I’d walk into our co-working space and hear accents from every corner of the world: Russian, Arabic, Filipino, British, Lebanese. It was a melting pot of ambition. And suddenly, I wasn’t just a girl from India. I was part of something global.
The Work-Life Balance I Didn’t Know I Needed
Back home, my work-life boundaries were always a blur. But in Dubai, I found a rhythm. My weekdays were packed with meetings, campaigns, and influencer shoots. But come weekend, the city transformed into a playground.
On Fridays, I’d meet friends for brunch at Jumeirah, where unlimited sushi meets rooftop views. Saturdays were for exploring—like wandering through the alleyways of Al Fahidi, soaking in old Emirati architecture, or catching indie films at Cinema Akil in Alserkal Avenue.
Dubai is often seen as all glam and no soul, but that’s not true. Beneath the skyscrapers and shopping malls is a deeply layered city—one that respects its roots while welcoming the world.
The Indian Heart of Dubai
One of the biggest comforts here is how close India still feels.
Al Fahidi
Bur Dubai is like a slice of old Delhi, with the smell of samosas wafting through the streets and people bargaining over bangles and kurtas. There are Indian supermarkets that stock everything from Amul butter to Maggi noodles, and local cafes where the chai tastes just like home.
I’ve met some of my closest friends through the Indian expat community. We celebrate Diwali like a proper desi family—with fairy lights, home-cooked food, and dhol beats echoing into the night. The sense of belonging is strong, even 2,000 kilometers away from home.
The Food, the Views, the Vibe
I’ll admit—I’ve never eaten better in my life.
From shawarma at Al Mallah to butter chicken at Ravi’s in Satwa, the city serves every craving. Want vegan sushi? Done. Looking for a thali that reminds you of Mumbai? Easy. I’ve had Lebanese za’atar croissants in the morning and Kerala-style beef fry at night—all within a 10 km radius.
And then there are the rooftops. Watching the Burj Khalifa light up from a lounge in Downtown never gets old. Every time I see it, I’m reminded of how far I’ve come—and how far I still want to go.
Tax-Free Dreams and Big Ambitions
Let’s not ignore the obvious: Dubai is one of the few places where you can earn big and save big. With no personal income tax, your salary actually feels like yours. That’s helped me invest, travel more, and even send money home comfortably.
But it’s more than money. It’s about growth. The kind that’s not just professional, but personal. I’ve become more independent, more open-minded. Living among people from every culture has taught me to listen better, to think broader, to respect differences.
The Desert Teaches You to Bloom
Dubai is a city built in the middle of a desert, but somehow it feels more alive than any place I’ve lived in.
There’s always something happening—a concert at Coca-Cola Arena, an art show in DIFC, or a desert camping trip just an hour away. I’ve gone from watching content creators on Instagram to collaborating with them in real life. From struggling to network to leading my own strategy sessions with clients from three continents.
It’s also a city that rewards risk. If you’re willing to put yourself out there, it opens doors. I’ve met mentors who believed in me, and clients who pushed me to think outside the box. And that’s why, even when the days get long or the heat becomes unbearable, I stay. Because here, every day feels like a new beginning.
Home Away from Home
I do miss India—my parents, the chaos, the comfort. But Dubai has given me something precious: a second home.
When I walk down the Marina at night and see the lights reflecting in the water, I feel proud. Not just of the city, but of the journey I’ve taken to be here. I’m not just building a career—I’m building a life.
And that life, I now know, can be as vibrant, diverse, and full of promise as this dazzling city itself.
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