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Today marks my fourth year in Dubai. How time flies! I was only 25 when I came here in 2013. I celebrated my 26th—my first birthday in Dubai, and now, I will be turning 30!

It is still fresh in my memory the very first day I went out of the flat my employer prepared for me. It was March 7th — the day before my birthday. I was about to cross the street, but I hesitated. I suddenly felt fear. It finally dawned on me that I was already in a different country. There was an ongoing construction near my building,g and there were labourers who were peeking at the fence. I went back to my building, and I was about to cry and thought to myself, “What am I doing here?” It was my first time abroad, and I didn’t know anyone.

I was going to meet my college friend at the nearby metro station, but I had no idea how to get there. Thanks to that guy, who gladly helped me with the instructions on how to get there.

So, my friend brought me to Dubai Mall, and I finally saw Burj Khalifa, which I had only seen in Mission Impossible. It felt surreal. I turned 26 while watching the dancing fountain. And my life in Dubai started at that moment.

Living in another country “alone” and far from my family requires a huge adjustment, especially for someone like me who was used to having my mom around. For like a month, I was only eating hot dogs, corned beef with egg, tuna with egg, scrambled/boiled egg and rice. But I easily adapted to my new routine, and I felt like I  was officially an adult.

I spent the first two years walking the streets alone and eating dinner at tables for one. It was hard.

When I look back now, I am so proud of myself because I have managed to live in the country and work in the same company for four years now. I have worked with a lot of people already—some stayed and some left. I haven’t had major problems with the people I have worked with compared to other expats. I consider myself lucky that I’ve landed this job.

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So far, I am loving Dubai, and I have no plans yet to settle back in the Philippines. Working and living here was one of the best decisions that I have made.