This is my first post here, and honestly, I’m a bit nervous. This is my real expat life in Dubai story, shared exactly the way I lived it. Back in 2018, I landed in Dubai from India. no job, no fancy degree, just a B.Com and exactly AED 3,000 in my pocket. That’s all I had. I still remember holding that money like it was a treasure, even though I had no idea how long it would last me.
I didn’t even know where I’d sleep after the first week. I came here chasing the same thing most of us do hope. but no one tells you that hope becomes heavy when you’re carrying it alone.
My First Days in Dubai
I stayed in a shared room in Deira 7 people crammed into a space meant for 2.
No privacy, no comfort, just survival.
Every morning, I would wake up before Fajr, not out of piety but because someone’s alarm would go off and sleep was a luxury. I would walk for hours under the scorching sun, CV in hand, applying anywhere I could — supermarkets, small accounting firms, even petrol stations.
There were days I didn’t eat just drank water to fool my stomach.
I remember sitting once on a pavement in Karama, my feet swollen from walking, and thinking:
“Is this what I left my home for?”
My parents didn’t know I was struggling. I lied every time they asked:
“Yes mummy, I had biryani today from a nice cafeteria.”
Truth is, I was crying myself to sleep that night.
The Breakthrough
Then, one day after lot of rejections a small logistics company gave me a chance.
AED 2,500 salary.
No Visa
Trial period for 3 months.
Most people would laugh at that offer but for me, it was oxygen.
I said yes before he even finished the sentence.
From that day onwards, I showed up early, stayed late, cleaned my own desk, brought tea for the team, and worked like my life depended on it because honestly, it did.
Where I Am Today
Fast forward to today:
I have a stable job
I have a visa
I live in a one-bedroom flat that smells like peace
I send money to my parents every month
Sometimes, I still sit on my old bed and whisper shukran to the ceiling.
Not because I made it big but because I made it through.
Dubai broke me.
But then… it made me.
A Message to Anyone Struggling Right Now
To anyone out there just starting out feeling lost, scared, unsure you’re not alone.
We’ve all been there.
And if I, a random guy with 3k and no backup, can survive so can you.
Thank you for reading this far.
And if you’re ever in Deira and see a guy sitting alone at a cafeteria smiling to himself come say hi.
That’s probably me, remembering the boy I used to be.
Much love to all expats here ❤️
This story was shared by Arham Dizo, a long-time Deira resident who wanted to share his journey so other expats don’t feel alone.
Thank you for reading ❤️ This article took time, research, and real expat experience. If it helped you even a little, a coffee is a simple way to say thank you ☕ It truly means a lot.
