What would it take for you to go to Emirates after MBA?

Question

Due to bad economy, many MBA grads are heading to the middle east for post-MBA careers.
I am sure for many, this wasn't in their original plans.
( https://www.businessweek.com/bschools/content/dec2008/bs20081223_342745.htm?chan=bschools_bschool+index+page_top+stories )

Even now when I ask myself, "Would I ever consider leaving my life in the states for the Middle East after business school?"

The answer is "No."

However, I can't guarantee the same answer if the job market is in the similar environment by the time I am ready to graduate.

With loads of bschool debt and uncertainties, what would it take for you to seriously consider Middle East for career after bschool? (only if you've never considered it before)

refurb · Answer

I've never been to the Middle East, but I've known people who have lived and worked there. I think "where" is a big factor. Places like Qatar, UAE and Dubai have a relatively large western presence and stable governments/society.

Am I looking to settle down in the Middle East? No.

Would I take an offer to work there for a period of time? Without hesitation (based on compensation of course).

RF

msday · Answer

If a firm gave me a $60,000 relocation bonus in addition to usual MBA compensation, I would spend 4 years in the middle east. Reason is that I am very debt-conscious and with a $60k + $20k signing bonus, I can get rid of my student debt in 2 years (potentially).

traffix · Answer

As many of u might know, I m seriously considering working in Dubai post MBA. For those of u who might not know, u dont pay taxes in middle east. Also, the salaries are in fact higher there compared to a similar position in US. Working short term in Dubai and saving cash is a great option!

Ntang · Answer

I need no enticement at all. I'd totally do the Middle East thing, no matter what the American economy does. 'Cept Israel. Won't have that stamp in my passport.

solaris1 · Answer

Ha. You won't make it to the Middle East with an Israeli stamp on your passport anyway.

I personally would not consider moving to the Middle East (Dubai and other similar "liberal enclaves" included) for a host of cultural reasons, no matter what the financial enticement. But that's me, I can completely understand why the lucrative expat lifestyle there could be alluring to some.

nink · Answer

I am not sure about Middle East either.

Due to ridiculous and unfair legal system (among other factors), the job market has to be really bad for me to move all the way to Middle East.

Horror stories like this one (https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/01/world ... dubai.html) is very common in that part of the world.

solaris1 · Answer

Errm, yeah. On a more positive note, this recent story in the  WSJ  provided a window into that expat lifestyle I referred to earlier.

https://blogs.wsj.com/middleseat/2008/12/09/emirates-flight-attendants-live-the-glamorous-life-so-long-as-they-dont-get-fat/#

isa · Answer

Personally, I wouldn't move there. Just have a lot of cultural and political issues with the region. I do understand why from a purely financial perspective, it would be appealing to some

Ntang · Answer

How about India/China? For all the constant gabbing we hear in business circles about those two countries, how many folks would move there? Indian/Chinese MBAs included.

msday · Answer

I'd move to India if I could make a standard US MBA salary ($120K USD). With the exchange rate, I'm sure I'd save some money which I could use to pay off loans.

isa · Answer

I'd be open to moving to India...salary aside, it would also depend on what else was happening in life at the time...but I'd be open to it.

I've never been to China so can't say I'd be really open to moving there. I think I'd need to visit first...

agold · Answer

It would be super difficult to get me out of the US. In addition to an extremely attractive compensation package, there would have to be a complete lack of opportunities in the US for me (no decent offers), and the company in the Middle East would have to be a multi-national which had plans of transferring me back to the US after X number of years.

traffix · Answer

Actually, i would not move to India for a 120K salary! That would suck. I would rather live in Texas than in India if I were making $120K.

Btw, u need to visit Dubai (Dubai, not the rest of ME) before deciding whether u can see urself living there. Dubai is way out there! the local population is abt 10%. It an immigrant city. If u r from UK/US, u live like a king in the best bungalows, driving the finest cars, disparaging everyone else. I m not kiddin whn i tell u that NYC and London pale in comparison to Dubai whn it comes to scantly clad hot women (i know TL is not reading this).

togafoot · Answer

I've lived in UK, Japan, and currently studying in Hong Kong.
I;ve visited the US, Most of Europe, India, China and many parts of APAC either through holidays or through business trips. (Not yet middle East).

For me, the key benefit is the ex-pat lifestyle alongside the cultural learnings you experience when working in a multicultural context. Its easier to save money on an ex-pat lifestyle, because rental is subsidised, you can afford cheap labour susch as maids or drivers and your children get to go to International schools where there is very little social problems which are much more prevalent in state schools (no matter where you are), because the childrens parents are well educated.

I would not recommend people work abroad if they suffer culture shock too easily, are picky with food, or sterotype a lot.

For me, I would work anywhere where the infractructure of the city is well developed. i.e. no power blackouts, safe sewage systems, well developed roads and mass transit systems and a sound international education system. The only other constraint is a city which is not overly religous whether that be Christian, Islam, Judaism, or whatever.

prashok · Answer

My thoughts exactly. I've been to the Middle East before and I wouldn't mind working in the UAE or Bahrain for a few years, depending on compensation. Housing is starting to get expensive in Dubai though, and even with the large expat population, there are still a few cultural and legal aspects of the region that may not appeal to all. Still, the expat packages can be pretty nice, along with the tax savings (though I think you are still subject to some taxes as a US citizen, after you  exceed the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion ).

Ntang · Answer

As a returned Peace Corps volunteer, I'm actually looking forward to moving back to the third world post-MBA. I'm not big on the expat lifestyle, actually... particularly in a poor country, living on high seems awfully out of touch... but I dig the international experience and, for what I want to do, living abroad is very valuable, if not necessary.

But, of course, it takes a certain type of personality for Americans to live abroad. You can't be fussy and fainthearted.

But, of course, it takes a certain type of personality for Americans to live abroad. You can't be fussy and fainthearted.

mba07 · Answer

msday, are you from India/of Indian origin? Just curious...

billyjeans · Answer

$120k and no taxes? That is awesome!

Yahsek · Answer

I think in general, I'd be willing to consider any overseas opportunities for the short-term (2-3 years MAX). It'd be great to save a bunch of money living in low cost-of-living places for a few years. Ultimately, I want to settle down somewhere in the States in the long-term.

What would it take for you to go to Emirates after MBA?

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards