Seven in ten UAE expats lack cultural knowledge if their host country.
Over 70% of expats residing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) lack basic knowledge of the country’s local customs and traditions.
A survey by the official English monthly magazine from the Ministry of Interior, 999 Magazine, found that seven out of every ten UAE expats seriously lack cultural awareness of the country.
The survey questioned over 2,000 UAE expats from around the globe about their cultural knowledge of the country and found that 72% of them know very little about their host country.
Only 28% of expats demonstrated any ‘real’ knowledge of the country’s local customs and traditions. Many claim that they did not set enough time aside to find about the country’s heritage and 11% confessed they never bothered trying to learn about the UAE.
Lt. Colonel Awadh Saleh Al Kindi, Editor-in-Chief of 999, told online news website Emirates 24/7; “The UAE is home to more than 200 different nationalities and has become known across the world for its low crime, modern outlook and the peaceful co-existence of its people.”
“A survey conducted by 999, however, reveals a dismaying fact that many expat residents have a very limited knowledge of the customs, traditions, and heritage of the UAE. We hope that the results of the survey will stimulate people to exert greater efforts in this area.”
Questioning expats from Western, Asian, Arab and African nations, the survey found that despite this lack of knowledge, 77% of expats had been living in the UAE for more than a year.
Many respondents who knew the basics claim to get their information by word-of-mouth rather than the available sources. More than 10% confessed they did not know anything at all about the UAE’s culture.
Getting to know your new relocation
If you are relocating with your existing employer, it could be worth visiting the country beforehand and getting a feel for the area. It may also be worth learning about local customs and cultural traditions to help make the transition as smooth as possible.
360 Relocations offers a bespoke service, managing a comprehensive relocation package for you, including everything from passports to property.
