Exploring the mind while discovering new horizons

February 13, 2017

UAE, Dubai

So, you want to become an expat pilot? You see that it offers opportunities for your career, your bank balance and your personal growth. That just can’t be ignored.

I felt exactly the same way! With that, I liquidated my life. My worldly possessions were condensed into five boxes and a suitcase and I moved to the Middle East.

I survived the transition but over the last year I believe I’ve been through three very obvious stages. My story is typical of most who decide to join the expat community. Settling into your new job and new existence is not easy. However, knowing that others have made it through ahead of you might soften the blow.

Read about Stage Two: Euphoria, here.

Stage Three: Realisation and Reality

Being an expat pilot isn’t easy. You’ve uprooted your life and transplanted yourself somewhere new. The third and final stage you’ll go through is Realisation and Reality.

By now, you’ve probably been in your new job for a few months. Training has come to an end and you’re settling in as a line-pilot. Days are pretty routine. However, you’ve started to notice a change in your mood. That feeling of euphoria is starting to wear off.

I started to notice a few cracks in the facade about eight months into expat life. Staying awake all night staring out the flightdeck window had some of the romance. Friends and family started to visit, and then left. I missed home. Trying to interact with other cultures was more negative than novel. The driving was terrible. The summer was hot and, once again, I dreamed of my old, comfortable life in New Zealand.

Realisation sucks! Eventually each one of my batch-mates went through the same realisation stage. We came down from the high and had to start accepting the reality of our situation. Now, I don’t mean this to sound negative. All the things that were great are still great. However there was still a process of acceptance we all had to work through. This isn’t a holiday. This is life.

A wise man told me to be a successful expat you needed to “put yourself out there” – now I know exactly what that means. You live in a transient place. People come and go. Life is different. You have to make an effort to make this home. Yes, some of it can be rubbish but you’re here and you have to make it work.

I sat in this glum state for a good couple of months. Then a light-bulb moment - I had to drag myself out of it before I went crazy. I started doing the things that I use to enjoy. I went out on coffee-dates with friends, started exercising again and now I’ve even taken up golf. I’ve made it my own and accepted my new reality.

There are still good days, and there are bad days. But now there are more good days than bad.

Making the move to Dubai is good for my career, it isgood for my bank balance and it is good for my personal growth. Now that I’m into the reality phase I feel settled and happy with my life. There have been highs and there have been lows but I wouldn’t change a thing.

I know, with time, you too will feel the same way and come to appreciate this opportunity. As my Dad said to me once - “every job has to have a hint of magic” – and being a pilot is no exception.

So if you have the opportunity to take an expat job and you’re on the fence, all I can say is - DO IT! Life’s too short. Get out of your comfort zone and see the world.

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Matthew Birchall

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