Journey to Freedom – Expat Life & Korean Culture

Expat vs. Local Pay in the UAE: Where Your Job Stands in 2024 📌 This article presents salary data primarily based on base salary figures. Where applicable, total compensation ranges including variable pay (housing, meals, transportation, commissions, etc.) are noted. As many contracts only mention a total figure, understanding what’s included is crucial—especially for gratuity and legal entitlements. Living in the UAE means encountering dazzling skylines and rapid development. But behind the glamour lies a striking wage gap. With over 90% of the workforce being expatriates, your pay often reflects your passport more than your qualifications. This post explores salary disparities between expats and locals, comparisons by sector, job type, and nationality, and identifies today’s most valued professions—especially in cybersecurity, healthcare, beauty, energy, and government roles. Table of Contents The Wage Reality: Emiratis vs. Foreigners 2024 Salary Overview by Industry ...

The UAE is one of the most rapidly developing countries in the Middle East, attracting a large number of foreign workers and professionals. In this article, we explore how the average salary in the UAE compares to other Middle Eastern nations. We'll examine salary levels by industry, benefits, and living costs to offer practical insights for those considering employment in the region. Average Salary in the UAE The average salary in the UAE ranks among the highest in the Middle East. In major cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where many global companies operate, high-paying jobs are abundant. A typical office worker earns around 10,000–15,000 AED per month (roughly USD 2,700–4,000), with professionals making considerably more. For instance, junior IT developers earn about 12,000–18,000 AED/month, while experienced professionals may earn upwards of 20,000 AED. High-paying roles like doctors, lawyers, and airline pilots often exceed 30,000 AED per month. In contrast, service and lab...

Getting to Juta: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go 📍 How to Get to Juta Village from Kazbegi (Stepantsminda) 🚕 Taxi from Kazbegi Central Departure: Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) Central Taxi Stand Destination: Juta Village entrance (not halfway!) Fare: ~80 GEL per car (one-way, local rate) Payment: Cash only Duration: ~25–30 minutes 💬 Important Reminders Before You Depart Clearly confirm the taxi goes all the way to Juta Village entrance — not just halfway. Some drivers may drop you off mid-mountain and request a second fare via a transfer. Use Google Maps to show your destination and confirm: “Juta Village entrance. No transfer. 80 GEL. Okay?” If possible, confirm with a local who speaks English to assist with translation. 🥾 Juta Hiking Route Breakdown (FIFTH Season to Campsite) Total hiking route includes: Juta Village Entrance → FIFTH Season Lodge (steep uphill) FIFTH Season Lodge → Campsite via Chaukhi Lake & Waterfall (ge...

Georgia Travel Day 2 – A Thrilling Ride to Kazbegi and a Mountain Lodge Escape 🚕 From Tbilisi to Didube Station – Cheap & Easy with Bolt We kicked off the second day of our Georgia journey with a light breakfast at Moxy Hotel in Tbilisi. The plan? Head north to the mountain town of Kazbegi (now called Stepantsminda) . We booked a Bolt taxi—cheaper than what we’re used to in Abu Dhabi—and reached Didube Bus Terminal in just 15–20 minutes for only 10 GEL. 🛣️ Traveling from Tbilisi to Kazbegi is one of the most scenic and thrilling road trips in Georgia , offering natural beauty, local culture, and just the right amount of chaos. 🚐 Choosing a Minivan over Marshrutka – A Lucky Bargain At Didube, you’ll easily find marshrutkas (15–20 seat shared vans), but we opted for a 6-seater minivan for more flexibility. The driver quoted 50 GEL per person, but luckily we met a Chinese couple and teamed up to negotiate the price down to 40 GEL —including stops at Ananuri Fortress and th...

  Georgia Travel Day 1 A Cloudy Start, but a Bright Journey: Our First Day in Georgia 🚘Departing Abu Dhabi at Dawn – A Calm Start to a New Adventure Our Georgia trip began in the quiet darkness of Abu Dhabi at 2:45 AM . We used the ENBD Marriott World Elite Card ’s complimentary airport pickup service, which arrived precisely on time. The peaceful drive through empty streets set the tone: this wasn’t just another vacation—it was the beginning of something meaningful. 🌧️ Forecast: Stormy Skies, but Spirits High In the days leading up to our trip, the weather forecast for Georgia remained grim— clouds, thunderstorms, and rain across Tbilisi, Kutaisi, and Mtskheta. But rather than be discouraged, we packed light ponchos and reminded ourselves: Sometimes the best stories begin under cloudy skies. ✈️ Choosing Wizz Air – Budget Over Convenience Flights to Georgia offer two main choices: Fly Dubai/Emirates : direct to Tbilisi, faster, more convenient Wizz Air : lands ...

  Ramadan is the holiest month in Islam, where Muslims engage in fasting, prayer, and self-reflection. In Abu Dhabi and across the UAE, the entire society transforms, and even non-Muslims are expected to be mindful of local customs and traditions. In this guide, we will cover the dates of Ramadan 2025, key traditions, how fasting times are determined, differences between Muslims and non-Muslims during Ramadan, and the dos and don’ts for expats in the UAE.   1. What is Ramadan? Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic lunar calendar, marking the period when the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. During this time, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, refraining from eating, drinking, smoking, and other physical indulgences.   Key Aspects of Ramadan:  Fasting (Sawm) starts before sunrise (Fajr prayer) and ends at sunset (Maghrib prayer)  The first meal after sunset is called Iftar, and the pre-dawn meal is called Suhoor  Night prayers, including Tarawe...