Pop Abroad

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Pop Abroad

A podcast highlighting the journey of how expats made the move to the United Arab Emirates.

12/01/2024

Since 2010, I’ve been living abroad and this is the first time I’ve ever looked back at my numbers ($USD) in detail.

👩‍🏫 Just goes to show you that teachers can travel and can travel well!

I only spent around 11K but had I paid out of pocket, would have been close to 36K which is a lot!

🇺🇸 Thanks to mostly US-based credit cards, I’ve been able to maximize my travel and stay at luxury hotels and fly business class by utilizing points and miles.

👉If you’re curious how it’s done, message me and I can support your journey into points and miles. It’s been super fun!

😐 It’s complicated and confusing at times, and I’ve made tons of mistakes but it’s been worthwhile, esp looking back at the numbers and seeing how crazy expensive those business class flights and luxury hotels would’ve been.

Thanks to , and other travel bloggers for paving the way for people of color and minorities to understand our finances and take advantage of the US financial system.

I’m looking forward to more amazing travel this year and will definitely be keeping track of it all again!

08/05/2023

Have you thought about purchasing an apartment abroad? How about in Dubai? Teacher Tom Streppel shares his story of how he made the move from China, Malaysia to Dubai and how he saved his hard earned cash to purchase an apartment. We also chat communities and how living in Dubai is. Listen to the full episode wherever you listen to podcasts. Link in bio for links to Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

26/04/2023

Tom Streppel, a teacher originally from the Netherlands has lived in Spain, China, Malaysia and now Dubai where he has purchased his first piece of property.

On this episode we chat:

-Working in China compared to the UAE

-Getting paid in Euro and local currency

-How and why to buy an apartment in Dubai (deposit, location and contracts)

-Making friends and finding your social circle in Dubai

-Clothing and dressing modestly in the UAE and Middle East

-Weather in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Have a listen!

https://bit.ly/PopAbroadApplePodcasts

https://bit.ly/PopAbroadSpotify

17/04/2023

Share with all your nursing friends that are considering taking a job in the On this episode of the podcast with a cardio thoracic nurse in Abu Dhabi, we chat recruiters, salaries, accommodation, finding friends and much more. Here are a few recruitment agencies that can help you find a position in healthcare in or
It is still important to do your due diligence esp if you’re new to being a or a hindsight is 20/20, working abroad is a different experience and every country, city and hospital is unique. Listen to the full episode with Elizabeth Craig to hear more about Lizzie’s journey on how she popped abroad to Abu Dhabi from the UK and working as an

14/04/2023

Welcome to Pop Abroad. A podcast highlighting the lives of people from different industries and backgrounding about how and why they decided to make the move to the United Arab Emirates.

06/03/2023

Have you thought what working in luxury hotels across the world is like? Ellen has worked in London, Beijing, Shanghai and Abu Dhabi and we explore and compare the differences of working in sales & marketing in these cities. From the cost of living to reasons to move on, it’s a great episode!

05/03/2023

An integral part of moving abroad is connecting with friends to make sure you understand cost of living before your move. To ensure you are being paid fairly for your experience but also to make sure you are moving upward in your career. has worked for large luxury hotels in many countries and knows that making connections is key. Listen to the full episode on your fave podcast player to hear more about her experience working in hospitality abroad.

28/02/2023

Curious about the culture in Saudi Arabia? shares his thoughts and more on the most recent episode of the podcast, University English instructor in Saudi Arabia.

26/02/2023

found community through the Brothas & Sistas of Saudi Arabia Facebook group and started following to understand a little bit of what life was like in Saudi before arriving. Before you move somewhere new always look for accounts and groups to join and follow so you can chat with foreigners already living there.

25/02/2023

Remember that the interview process is also a chance to ask your recruiter all of these key questions so you know exactly what the job entails. Don’t be shy to be direct. This goes especially for jobs abroad as every recruiter, company and school has different packages and benefits for foreigners. Knowing the answer to these questions will make your move smoother.

21/02/2023

The next episode is out! Jordell Bynum, originally from North Carolina USA, Jordell has taught English in Shanghai, China, Miami, USA, Dubai, United Arab Emirates and now in Saudi Arabia. He has a passion for learning and understanding new cultures and languages. In this episode we discuss:

-Finding English Teaching Jobs in Saudi Arabia, China and UAE
-Tourist VS Work Visas
-Accommodation Types in Saudi
-Health Insurance
-Comparing teacher salaries in the UAE, Saudi and China
-Teaching English to adults
-Islam and Culture
-Learning Arabic
Links in bio for apple and Spotify!
Enjoy the new episode!

21/02/2023

The most important thing to do if you want to teach in the UAE! Get your degrees attested! It’s proof they’re legit in a nutshell. Easiest to pay a third party service so you don’t need to take your degrees to your local state department and Washington DC to get those attestation stamps. Complicated I know. It’s a process but it’s worth it to make or your new home!

19/02/2023

Here are some great website to find !! Quitney and I chat more about the job recruitment process in the latest episode of Pop Abroad Podcast. Have a listen and the hope the episode helps.

15/02/2023

American teachers this is the episode for you! I chat with Quitney Price, a 5th grade teacher at an American private school in Abu Dhabi. Everything you need to know before and upon your arrival in the UAE is in this episode. Enjoy!

13/02/2023

British Civil Servants get a nice combo of public and local holidays in their country of residence. Working for your home embassy abroad is a great job with lots of perks! This is third country posting and she loves representing her home country in countries abroad. If you’re looking for a profession that is good for travel and has great benefits, civil service is a solid option.

12/02/2023

Fancy working for the Civil Service? There are postings all over the world and the types of jobs are endless. Good benefits and salaries too. Hear more on my interview with as we chat about her life as a diplomat abroad. Listen to Pop Abroad on your fave podcast player.

07/02/2023

Did you know there was a difference between admissions and guidance counseling! While comprehensive counseling is a mix of the two. is a superstar and does both! She gives us the scoop on being a counselor abroad, from Hong Kong to Dubai. We also chat salaries, mental health and what life is like in Dubai for Americans. Listen on the latest episode!

05/02/2023

American guidance & admissions counselor gives the scoop on the best sites to find a counseling or teaching job abroad! Now is the time to start applying if you haven’t yet, it’s hiring season!

31/01/2023

New episode! is a Cali girl who has moved from Hong Kong to be a counselor at an American private school in Abu Dhabi. Hear more on the latest episode! Find Pop Abroad wherever you listen to podcasts.

30/01/2023

drops her fave communities in Abu Dhabi that helped her meet people and find friends. and Listen to the podcast ep with Lizzie to hear more of her journey in nursing in Abu Dhabi.

29/01/2023

has been a nurse in Abu Dhabi for nearly two years and walks us through her journey from the UK to Abu Dhabi on the latest episode of the podcast. Have a listen on apple, Spotify or wherever you find your podcasts!

22/01/2023

Once you get to the next step is getting your Emirates ID which is important for opening a bank account and renting an apartment! Make sure you ask your work to expedite this process for you! Listen more on the latest episode with Ellen! Spotify https://bit.ly/ElleninHospitalitySpotify
Apple Podcasts https://bit.ly/workinginghospEllenApplePods

20/01/2023

Hiring managers love situational questions nowadays so make sure you have stories prepped and ready when interviewing! Hear more on the latest episode!

Spotify https://bit.ly/ElleninHospitalitySpotify
Apple Podcasts https://bit.ly/workinginghospEllenApplePods

18/01/2023

Thinking about moving to ? Make sure you understand living costs and research salaries for your job role and experience. is not easy! Get your budget right before you arrive as hidden expenses such as housing deposit, car purchase or rental and furnishing your new place too. Abu Dhabi can be expensive and you may need a nice cushy savings before arriving here. Hear more on the latest episode with on Apple Podcasts https://bit.ly/workinginghospEllenApplePods

17/01/2023

Ellen Aichelmann, originally from Germany has worked in sales & marketing for luxury hotels for nearly a decade in London, China and now Abu Dhabi.

Are you curious how to get into hospitality? Or how the industry is in Abu Dhabi? Or maybe you know someone who is? Share Pop Abroad podcast with your friends and family.

In this episode, Ellen and I chat about
-Finding a job in hospitality
-Navigating salaries abroad
-How expensive Abu Dhabi can be
-China VS UAE life
-Longterm Living in the UAE
-Real Estate Abroad
-Healthcare, banking
-Hobbies in Abu Dhabi

Have a listen!
Spotify https://bit.ly/ElleninHospitalitySpotify
Apple Podcasts https://bit.ly/workinginghospEllenApplePods

12/01/2023

Teachers gets a nice little pension for each year of their service…and it changes after year 5 too! Learn more on the latest episode of the pod 🎧 Listen on Spotify bit.ly/3Gpcuvk
🎤 Listen on apple podcasts https://bit.ly/AmericanteacherLanLy

11/01/2023

The teacher process in a nutshell! Listen to us chat more in depth about it on the podcast. Listen on! Spotify ➡️bit.ly/3Gpcuvk
Apple podcasts ➡️https://bit.ly/AmericanteacherLanLy

11/01/2023

Calling all who want to move abroad! This episode is for you. I sat down with Lan Ly to chat all things teaching; recruitment, contracts, visa process, American taxes, salary and the perks of teaching in Listen on your favorite streaming platform! ❤️

07/01/2023

Yes, we are! Moving here and finding friends has been such a great experience. and I chat all about how we made friends here and the best resources to feel comfortable making the move here.

28/10/2019

Romanian-born Catalina Calin first moved abroad to pursue her love of fashion. Now she runs her own thriving business in China and is an ambassador for one of the world's largest expat communities. is all about connecting expats online & offline so that they can get a leg up when they move somewhere new. Listen to the interview to hear more!

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Did you know China has a completely different online eco system? WeChat is a great app and absolutely imperative to have and use in China to communicate with new friends and colleagues in China. When I moved from Shanghai to Abu Dhabi after nearly 7 years in Shanghai it was rough to get back into there is an app for that mentality and start downloading multiple apps for different purposes. I love having google accessible in the UAE. Don’t worry though, VPNs are easy to use and can help you jump the great firewall so you can access all your favorite apps. #chinaexpat #shanghaiexpat #beijingexpat #dubaiexpat #abudhabiexpat #teachersofinstagram #dubaiteacher #abudhabiteacher #dubaiteacher #middleeast #abudhabipodcast #dubaipodcast #middleeastpodcast #teacherpodcast #teachabroad #workabroad #travelpodcast #americansabroad

Considering teaching abroad? China and the UAE are two great options! I’ve taught in Seoul, Shanghai and now Abu Dhabi and will be comparing the two in this new series. Hear more on my podcast where I’ve interviewed various teachers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Housing is a great perk of teaching abroad! Accommodation that’s provided is the norm while some schools give you a housing stipend to find your own place. Cost of living is different in Northeast Asia countries and the Middle East but can be lucrative if you research how best to save whilst living and working there. Message me if you’re curious on what country would be best for your situation! #teachersofinstagram #teachabroad #teachingenglish #dubaiteacher #abudhabiteacher #chinatravel #workinchina #teachinchina #shanghaiteacher #beijingteacher #shanghaiexpat #chinaexpat #dubaiexpat #abudhabiexpat

Teachers can fly business class too!!!! How did I book this flight? I opened up a credit card that gave me points and miles that could be used towards the cost of the flight. Instead of paying a ton of cash, I used the miles and paid taxes and fees. There are lots of credit cards to choose from and finding award space can be tricky but with time and patience you can fly business class! Message me to find out how I did and which cards are good starter cards for travel hacking. #teachersofinstagram #teachersinbusinessclass #etihadbusinessclass #etihad787 #etihadairways #abudhabi #dubai #teachersinabudhabi #teachersindubai #abudhabilife #dubaiteachers #flyetihad

Teaching in UAE vs. China! A new series where i’ll compare being a teacher in these two countries. I’ve spend a decade teaching abroad and most of my time has been in Shanghai and Abu Dhabi and they couldn’t be more different. Stay tuned for future posts where I’ll discuss all facets of teaching abroad in these two places. From healthcare to general culture. Let me know if there is anything you’re curious to know about! #abudhabiteacher #dubaiteacher #teachindubai #teachinabudhabi #teachinchina #shanghaiexpat #shanghaiteacher #teachabroad #educationabroad #teachoverseas #expatlife #abudhabiexpat #chinaexpat

Curious about using American credit cards for booking trips with points and miles even though you’re not living in the US anymore? This has been an issue for me over the years but I have finally gotten the hang of it! It’s not as hard as it used to be when I was living in China. Luckily the UAE loves Apple Pay. Four easy steps! 1. Keep a permanent address in the states 2. Get a US based phone number (the CC company wants to text you) 3. Research and sign up for a card with a hefty points bonus 4. Add it to your apple or google pay! Done. Have questions? Ask away! #travelhacker #americanexpat #americanabroad #latinaabroad #expatteacher #expat #creditcardhack #pointsandmiles #workabroad #livingabroadhacks #livingabroadproblems #americanoverseas #americansinuae #dubaiexpat #abudhabiexpat #abudhabiteacher #expatteacher

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So you've made the leap. You're living overseas; living the dream. or maybe you’re thinking about it? Now what? Once the honeymoon period ends, and friends back home stop being excited and impressed by your courageous leap to find your fortune in a foreign land, things start to get real. How do you build a life overseas? How do you thrive? Michelle Ibarra, Asia & Oceania Community Manager for Girl Gone International, interviews the women who are killing it overseas to learn how they did it. Season 1 is all about community- why we need it, how we can use it to get a leg up, and how the best community leaders make theirs work.