You've Accepted a Teaching Job in the Middle East – What Comes Next?

Desert Educators

Congratulations! Securing a teaching job in the Middle East is an exciting milestone. Whether you’re heading to Kuwait, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, or Bahrain, you’re about to embark on a life-changing experience filled with career growth, financial advantages, and cultural immersion.

However, relocating to a new country requires preparation. From financial planning to understanding cultural norms, here’s everything you need to know before making the move.

1. Budgeting for Your First Month

Most international schools pay at the end of the first month, meaning you’ll need to cover all expenses upfront before receiving your first paycheck.

Key Expenses to Budget For (in Kuwaiti Dinar & South African Rand)

Food & Groceries

Kuwait: A fast-food meal costs approximately 2.5 KWD (~147 ZAR).

UAE & Qatar: A McDonald’s meal costs 20-30 AED/QAR (~1.2-1.8 KWD or ~70-105 ZAR).

Saudi Arabia: A McDonald’s meal costs 25 SAR (~1.9 KWD or ~112 ZAR).

Transportation

Kuwait & Saudi Arabia: No metro system; expect to rely on taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber. A 10 km ride costs around 5 KWD (~295 ZAR).

Dubai & Doha: Public transport is available. Metro & bus rides cost around 0.25 KWD (~15 ZAR).

Utilities & Household Items

Most schools provide furnished apartments, but you may need to purchase kitchen items, bedding, and toiletries. Budget 50-100 KWD (~2,950-5,900 ZAR) for these essentials.

Monthly electricity & water bills may cost around 20-30 KWD (~1,180-1,770 ZAR) if not covered by the school.

Tip: Bring extra money for unforeseen costs. It’s better to have more than you need than to run short.

2. Understanding Dress Codes & Cultural Expectations

The Middle East places high importance on professional and modest attire. While some countries, such as the UAE, are more relaxed, others, such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have stricter expectations.

Dress Code Guidelines for Teachers

Women

Shoulders and upper arms must be covered.

Skirts and trousers should be knee-length or longer.

Avoid low necklines; modest, round necks are preferred.

Men

Collared shirts & long trousers are standard.

Some schools require a tie.

Shorts are not acceptable in professional settings.

3. Setting Up Your Phone & Internet

A local SIM card is essential for communication, banking, and navigating your new city.

Kuwait: Zain, Ooredoo, STC - 5 KWD (~295 ZAR).

UAE: Etisalat, Du - 8 KWD (~470 ZAR).

Saudi Arabia: STC, Mobily - 8 KWD (~470 ZAR).

Qatar: Ooredoo, Vodafone - 8 KWD (~470 ZAR).

Bahrain: Batelco, Zain - 8 KWD (~470 ZAR).

Tip: Buy a SIM card at the airport upon arrival to ensure immediate connectivity.

4. Sending Money Back to South Africa

Most teachers send money home for savings, investments, or family support. The best transfer methods include:

Bank-to-Bank SWIFT Transfers (use your bank’s online portal).

Money transfer services such as Wise (formerly TransferWise), Western Union, and PayPal.

South African SWIFT Codes

FNB: FIRNZAJJ

Standard Bank: SBZAZAJJ

Nedbank: NEDSZAJJ

Capitec: CABLZAJJ

5. Cost of Living Across the Middle East

Kuwait: Rent for a one-bedroom apartment is 250-350 KWD (~14,750-20,650 ZAR).

UAE: Rent for a one-bedroom apartment is 400-600 KWD (~23,600-35,400 ZAR).

Saudi Arabia: Rent for a one-bedroom apartment is 200-300 KWD (~11,800-17,700 ZAR).

6. What’s Included in Your School-Provided Apartment?

Most schools provide fully furnished accommodations, but details vary. Expect to receive:

Kitchen: Stove, fridge, washing machine, basic cookware.

Bedroom: Bed, wardrobe, bedside table.

Living Area: Sofa set, dining table, chairs.

7. Preparing for Your Teaching Role

To hit the ground running, upload your lesson plans & resources to cloud storage before departure.

British Curriculum (Common in UAE, Qatar, Kuwait) – Research lesson structures, assessment standards, and teaching methodologies.

American Curriculum (Common in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain) – Focus on student-centered learning & project-based teaching.

8. Adjusting to Life in the Middle East

Kuwait – Traditional yet modern, strong expat community, best savings potential.

UAE – Most cosmopolitan, great lifestyle, higher cost of living.

Saudi Arabia – Strict cultural expectations, growing opportunities, great for long-term savings.

Qatar – Balanced work-life, high salaries, world-class infrastructure.

Bahrain – Relaxed & welcoming, smaller expat community, good work-life balance.

Final Thoughts – Why Work with Desert Educators?

At Desert Educators, we:

Connect South African teachers with top schools across the Middle East.

Provide tailored guidance, from CV preparation to interview coaching.

Support teachers before, during, and after placement.

www.Deserteducators.com

📩 careers@deserteducators.com