DUBAI EXPAT STORY. ‘I wanted to be financially independent and get dad retired.’

“I visited Dubai once as a kid, and I’ve seen the city develop from just plain sandy areas to having magnificent skyscrapers. That’s when working in Dubai was always a dream for me. 

“My father worked in the UAE for nearly 15 years. Seeing him travel back to Dubai after holidays always broke my heart. My mission in life was set right there:  I wanted to be financially independent and get dad retired, so I can have him back and happy with family in India,” says Karen Winola Barboza of Mumbai in India, moved to Dubai in 2018 to pursue her “mission.” She was just two years fresh out of college then.

“I graduated in 2016 with no idea whatsoever to do in life. While most of my friends travelled to other countries to study further with an aim to settle down, I knew my family couldn’t really afford the same.

“I took a call to move to the UAE in 2018. In these 3 years, my entire life changed and transformed in ways I could never have imagined. It’s been a thrilling, challenging, amazing time, and I am so proud to call this country my home. A big thank you to my parents and bosses for being so supportive and for instilling me with a strong passion for learning and for doing everything possible to put me on the path to success,” Karen says.

She is currently working as a marketing executive.

“The list goes on when one asks how I have fun in Dubai. I just try to explore new places, meet people of different nationalities, learn about their journeys in the UAE. That itself is quite a fun experience. I love soaking up at the beach, going on long walks and yes splurge a little extra on shopping,” Karen says.

“I love it that I have a great degree of control and freedom within my job. I work full-time on a flexible schedule, both in and out-of-office, and my boss trusts me to produce high-quality work and results. I work hard to maintain that level of trust, which keeps me engaged and excited — but at the same time, I love that my job enables me to love and enjoy my other passions in life,” she adds.