Author: रिजवान खान

“Whenever I used to see an airplane from my home, I would say, ‘When will I go abroad?’ Now that I am here abroad, whenever I see an airplane, I say, ‘When will I go home?’

After COVID-19, everything was mashed up. Where I used to work, they reduced salaries, which weren’t even enough to cover basic needs, so I left that job in August 2020. I worked in many places, and finally, the last job I did in Goa was at a Puma store, which was a franchise, as a sales person. Within two months, I became an assistant manager, but the salary remained the same. Plus, even if we met our targets, they didn’t give us the bonuses they had promised. After two months, I received a message from my uncle one morning saying, “Rizwan, please don’t go to work today because I’ve arranged an interview for you with my Dubai client this afternoon. Your future depends on this, so please don’t go to work today.” I agreed and told my manager that I wouldn’t be able to come in due to urgent work, and he was okay with it.

I went for the interview, which was for a cashier position at a supermarket in Dubai. I gave the interview at a hotel in Panjim where they were having lunch. The HR person interviewed me, and it went well. Three months into my work, one morning while I was with my dad at a Vodafone Idea store, I got a message from my uncle. When I checked it, I saw it was a visa for Dubai. I couldn’t believe it, so I called my uncle, and he confirmed it. The date on the visa was September 22. I told my dad about it, and he said it was good news, though I could see some sadness in him because I would be leaving them for two years.

After a few more days of working at the Puma store, I left the job in September after receiving my salary and did all my packing. It was mandatory for me to go to Dubai because of our loan and other financial needs, and I wasn’t able to save any money due to the low salary. So, I was happy to get the job in Dubai, but also sad because I was leaving my family for not just one year, but two. But if you want success, you have to sacrifice something in life, so I thought about that and made myself strong. The day came to say goodbye to my family, and I will never forget that moment when my mom, dad, sister, and uncle all came to drop me off at the airport. My mom was crying, and seeing her, I teared up too, but I hid it by wearing sunglasses. I didn’t expect my dad to cry, but he did, and I hugged my dad, mom, and sister, and said goodbye to everyone before going inside the airport.

The uncomfortable zone is a good zone because sometimes we have to go through that zone in order to reach the comfort zone. Those who understand this will definitely succeed in life.

After reaching the UAE, when I came outside the airport, I was searching for my company driver and became completely drenched—not from water, but from the hot weather, even at night. Finally, I found the company driver, and he took me to my accommodation. When I arrived, the villa in charge showed me my room. It was a partitioned room, meaning it was a big room with six beds, and the washroom and toilet were outside. My uncle had told me well in advance that I would have to share a room, so I didn’t feel weird about it. The room was okay, but when I entered, everyone was on duty, and there was no one but loneliness inside me because I had never been abroad, away from my parents. This was my first trip to Dubai, and I had to stay here for two years. I was thinking about that while sitting alone, without my family, but then I remembered what my uncle had told me—that I had to work for my better future. Thinking of that made me strong.

The company also provided food—morning breakfast, lunch, evening tea, and dinner. When I found out about this, I became very happy because I didn’t know how to cook. Before coming to Dubai, I had been learning to cook, which is why I was relieved. My duty was night duty. Everything was good, except for the hot weather in Dubai, which lasts from April to August. But I hardly went out, except to pray, so I mostly stayed in my room, the bus, or my workplace, where there was air conditioning. But being separated from your family is not easy; you have to control your emotions. The first month was tough, but I met good people at work who became good friends, making it easier to live far from my family. I also had a cellphone, so I could call and video chat with them.

As work started and the days passed, I realized that now I’ve completed almost a year and a half, with only four months left to finish the two years. These days will pass too, and I’ll go home, but I’ve enjoyed my time in Dubai. Dubai made me realize my responsibilities, taught me to be independent, and how to fight through problems. I always remember one of my quotes: “Waves come every single minute on the sea, and problems are like waves, but they never stay for long.” This quote has helped me through many problems.

Dubai is a country where you will find people from many countries like India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Egypt, and many others who come to work. Dubai has strict rules, so the crime rate is very low; you could say there’s almost no corruption, which is why it’s a developed country. Countries like the USA, European nations, Russia, Japan, and even China come for tours and business.

Life in Dubai for workers is often a blend of opportunities and challenges. For many, the city represents a gateway to better financial prospects and a chance to support their families back home. Workers in Dubai, especially those in the construction, hospitality, and retail sectors, often come from diverse backgrounds and bring with them dreams of a better future. The city offers modern infrastructure, access to quality healthcare, and a cosmopolitan environment where people from various cultures live and work together. However, the pace of life is fast, and expectations for productivity and efficiency are high. Workers typically have to adapt quickly to the long hours and sometimes harsh climatic conditions.

Despite the opportunities, the life of a worker in Dubai is not without its difficulties. Many workers face the challenge of living away from their families, often for extended periods, which can lead to feelings of isolation and homesickness. The cost of living in Dubai is also relatively high, making it difficult for some workers to save as much as they had hoped. Furthermore, while some workers benefit from fair working conditions, others may experience less favorable circumstances, including low wages and limited labor rights. Navigating these challenges requires resilience, adaptability, and a strong support network, whether through fellow workers or community organizations.

I realized after living in Dubai that if you want something in life, you have to sacrifice something. That’s how I ended up in Dubai, living far from my family to do something for them. It’s not easy to live far from your family, but sometimes circumstances force you to do so. As you live and work here in Dubai, day by day, you get used to living without your family, learn to control your emotions, and become a more responsible person in life.