Back to Blogging!

I can't believe I've been in Dubai for nearly a year now!
I've traveled many destinations and have experienced so much in a short amount of time.

To think I came to Dubai having the idea of maybe staying only for a year with the company, I have no question in my mind about leaving.
There is still so much to do and explore.
I feel like my journey has still only just begun!

Right now I'm currently typing this quick update from my hotel room in Houston.
To bring you up to scratch with recent events, I was able to move out of my desert accommodation and into the city. Lucky me! I have been in Downtown Dubai for a few months now and just last week have been approved to move into one of the nicest apartment blocks the company provides us with my best friend. Very exciting times!

I've been loving my life in Dubai whilst living Downtown. The convenience of having an amazing yoga studio close by has been a tremendously positive impact on me.
Additionally, having The Dubai Mall just 2 metro stops away is fantastic... Yet a little dangerous :)
With the job we are fortunate enough to have quite a few days off some rosters which helps being able to unwind after long haul flights. Sometimes it doesn't seem enough however if you're able to manage your sleep life can be a lot easier on you.

Flying has been an eye opening experience, working with people from so many different backgrounds, cultures and contrasting ideas to your own is a challenge yet an incredible way to learn about yourself and the world around you.
I find myself being more patient with others and myself which then helps me in my role as cabin crew.

I am thinking of doing a few shorter blog posts with some travel photos and notes with each month at a time to catch up so I can start blogging again from here now.

Thanks for reading and keeping the blog alive 🌺🌻

College complete!

I haven't posted since I have been in Dubai, mainly for the reason that I have been focusing my energy on making Dubai my home and creating a routine around college.

Since posting last, there is a lot to update on!

I passed college! No repeats or re-sits of tests which I am feeling chuffed about.

College was hard. Early mornings, late nights, exams nearly every day and add that into trying to settle into your new apartment, new surroundings, new friends and pretty much starting fresh and over with everything!

The hardest, most challenging part of college was SEP (Safety and Emergency).

The batch I was placed into split up into other batches so I had to make a whole new circle of friends and in two short weeks at the end of the course you realise how strong the bond you created during the time - pulling together because you almost have to in a sense.

It's strange putting 120 people from different backgrounds, cultures and all with varied beliefs together, the mix was fresh and comforting. Many differences but still a common goal- to reach the end of training.

I returned to my original batch for the rest of the courses, GMT (Medical) and also Service training.

I have also formed a close friendship with a few girls who live in my apartment block.

Thankfully my housemates are lovely as well which makes my living situation more pleasant, as I am located slightly far out from the city.

I've attached a few photos from training- next post I will update on my first flying experience... X

Accommodation

Yesterday, the 28th I received my accommodation.

I have been placed in the Sarab Building which is apparently a little far out from central Dubai.
Regardless, I am still extremely grateful to receive free accommodation from Emirates and I am sure there are still many perks in this area.

Apparently the Sarab Building has it's own pool and gym on site which is super convenient.
It is 30 minutes from The Emirates HQ however a free shuttle is provided.

I am starting to become very excited for my new adventure and am happy to reside anywhere!

7 days to go!

10 DAYS

Oh my gosh.

10 Days until the big move.

I have a few things to complete before I even think about flying away.

- I am awaiting a response from the Emirates Clinic in regards to some medication my dermatologist has prescribed me for my skin. I have sent a requested report from my doctor and uploaded it on the portal. It is a manageable condition which I hope will not affect receiving my ticket and visa!!!!

-I need to complete my pre-flight work book to 'Prepare for take-off.' I will probably leave this til last minute. This also has some exercises to be done whilst flying to Dubai, like obsvering the cabin crew, policies and procedures.

-I really, really, really need to practise packing everything up in my bags. I fear I will need to purchase another item of luggage! Annoying but has to be done.

I am allowed 50kg checked in luggage. Seems weird to be packing my whole life into a suitcase... There are a lot of clothes to be passed onto friends!!

-I need to print off all of my joining documents, copies of passport, families birth certificates and academic certificates.

-I still need to get some more head shots for my flying license and US visa.

Annnnd find time to relax and enjoy my friends and families company.

Under the pump but that's the way I like it!

Cannot wait to receive my e-ticket and visa. My accommodation status says that it will be provided shortly. I'm forever still checking the portal!!!!

❤️

Final Approval!

FA! FA! FA!

Final Approval given on the 31st of July 2014 - Only 2 weeks after my GC.

With your Final Approval, comes your medicals signed off and your next step becomes available which you are advised to resign from your current employer.

The Final Approval email is stated below;

Dear Miss Small,

Please read the below instructions carefully.  We are pleased to inform you that we have obtained the final approval on your application. You may now tender your resignation so that you can join our organization as early as possible. Once you have tendered your resignation, please upload the copy of the acceptance of resignation from your present company on our website by logging into CandidatePortal. The acceptance letter should be on a company letter head signed and stamped by an authorised signatory.Please complete the online joiners form if you have already not done so. If you are required to serve further notice with your current employer and unable to join on the scheduled date please notify by submitting a query on candidate portal. If you are currently a student, working on a part-time basis or unemployed, you are not required to upload the service letter. Please inform the Recruitment coordinator of the same through "Submit a Query". A week before your date of joining, the e-ticket and copy of your visa to enter the U. A. E. will be uploaded on the candidate portal and you will be notified through email and Candidate Portal. Kindly continue to check the Candidate Portal frequently.  NB: Now that you have completed your joining formalities. To help you get off to a flying start and prepare you for your Cabin Crew training programme, you will need to CLICK on the Induction Tab within the Candidate Portal.  Here you will find a link to the 'Prepare for Take-Off ' Cabin Crew Workbook. Please take time to familiarize yourself with the information and complete the tasks required. Your thoroughness in completing the workbook will set you up for success in your training.  Best Regards&,  HR Coordinator  HR Employee Services  Emirates Group Head Quarters,  Dubai, U.A.E

So the final countdown is officially on. This doesn't mean it's time to relax, I feel like I have a lot to prepare before I leave. My checklist is growing by the day!

Please remember to comment if you have any further questions to ask :)

Medicals

Keep calm and complete your Medicals.

Commencing your paperwork for your medicals may seem daunting and overwhelming.
With pages of questions, ticks, crosses and appointments to make it is understandable.

First things first, Start from the top.

Part A - Declaration of Health.
Very simple and straightforward document to complete - A signature is required for your understanding that Emirates will not emply you and The UAE will not issue you a Visa if you have any of the following

• Positive HIV result
• Signs of active TB or signs of scaring from TB on chest from X-Ray
• Untreated syphallis
• Positive Hepatitis B surface antigen

Emirates will do testing in the UAE upon arrival so you do not need to do these tests in your home country unless you are concerned.
Sign and date below and onto the next stage.

Part B - Medical History Declaration.
This section is 3 pages long and has a thurough checklist of items to place your tick, cross and further information on medications and dates of examinations.
Everything from your mental health, vision, skin, back, internal organs, BMI, medication list and sleeping must be completed with 100% honesty and if you tick any of the questions, make sure you elaborate in the column to give further information to prevent them from coming back and requesting you to complete the form and upload it again.
With the completion of these 3 pages, have your doctor sign off on this and date it.
This is not a hard section to complete however it may take some time if you have medical issues that you may need to look back on documents/dates for.

I stated that I was on a medication for my skin. I was contacted by Emirates and was told that I needed my dermatologist to provide a medical report.
I also had her sign a letter that I am able to travel with this medication (Just in case!)
I am keeping all of my medical reports, scripts and letters together to travel with just as confirmation that I have been prescribed these legally by doctors.

Certificate of Dental Health.
For this you will need to book an appointment with your dentist.
Fortunately I have private health cover in Australia and my appointment was free for a check up and had to only pay $25 AUD for my X-rays.
The Dental Health certificate requires your dentist to provide and assessment of your X-ray (note for missing teeth, fillings, crowns etc).
The remainder of the form includes details for your dentist to check and sign off that your teeth meet the expected 'standards.'
Your dentist needs to comment on the following criteria -

• Teeth and Gingiva
• General appearance
• Treatment recommended 
• Treatment carried out

You'll then need a signature, stamp and away you go.

Vaccinations.

For me, this was the most time consuming document.

I had to chase down previous records, some of which were lost - just my luck. 

Now, the compulsory vaccination to obtain before you leave is your Yellow Fever Vaccination. Many of the others will have to get done and can be done so in Dubai however it will be deducted from your salary. The cost of the vaccinations is unknown to me in Dubai so I chose to do them all in my home country. I am covered by private health and can claim part of the cost. 

Here is a full list of the vaccinations:

• Chicken Pox
• Polio (must be within the last 10 years) 
• Diphtheria (must be within the last 10 years)
• Typhoid
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis A
• MMR (Measles, Mups, Rubella)
• Yellow Fever
• Meningococcal 

It was quite expensive to get these vaccinations done - $650 AUD however I was able to claim half back.

Ensure that your document is signed and stamped by the doctor and you have your little book/vaccination certificate with you to travel with!

I uploaded these documents completed to the portal on the 30/7/14 and received my Medical Completed email on the 31/7/14

Yippee!

Post any questions in relation to the medicals here and I will answer as best I can :)

Selected Candidate Portal

So I made it to the Selected Candidate Portal! What a relief!

In here contains the most prized information - my contract, online forms, medical documentation and travel arrangements.

When you log in there is a little countdown of how many days left before your DOJ and on the left panel your list of items to complete with the right panel links to things such as uniform standards, living in dubai and also company policies and procedures.

I will be posting shortly about my completion of the online documentation and then my road to the FA! 

Make sure you comment below if you have any questions to ask along the way and I will answer them with my experience and knowledge.