Teaching in Dubai: The Truth About Pay, Rent & Real Life Abroad | The International Classroom

Teaching in Dubai: The Truth About Pay, Rent & Real Life Abroad
What’s it really like to teach and live in Dubai right now? Beyond the sun, skyline, and success stories, there’s a deeper conversation about affordability, balance, and what it means to thrive—not just survive—as an international educator.

In this episode of The International Classroom, Alex sits down with Drew and Bodruz to unpack the realities of the teacher experience in Dubai—from fitness routines at 5 a.m. to the rising cost of rent, the pressure on international school fees, and the question everyone’s quietly asking: is it still worth it?

Together, they dive into:
💬 The realities of teacher life: juggling school, family, and wellbeing
💪 Fitness, discipline, and the physical side of teaching
🏫 The hidden costs of international schooling and rent
💡 KHDA’s push for “affordable education” — what does that actually mean?
🌍 Why Dubai teachers stay (and why some start looking elsewhere)
❤️ Family, balance, and rediscovering what matters most

This is honest, funny, and refreshingly real. Whether you’re already in the UAE or thinking about making the move, this conversation gives you the insider perspective that no relocation brochure ever will.

Connect with The International Classroom
🌐 Website: https://www.deepprofessional.com
📸 Instagram: @theinternationalclassroom
🎵 TikTok: @ticpodcast
💻 LinkedIn: Alex Gray

🎧 Listen on:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2zGUdth...
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

Chapters
00:00 – Fitness, Dumbbells & 5 a.m. Gym Life
03:20 – The Real Teacher Routine: Early Starts, Long Days
07:00 – Family, Loss & Life Abroad
13:00 – Raising Kids Internationally: ECAs, Safety & Opportunity
20:00 – Growing Up Then vs Now: Are Kids Still Kids?
31:00 – The Cost of Living Debate: Rent, Schools & KHDA’s “Affordability”
39:30 – Teachers’ Pay, Expectations & Retention
46:00 – Building Communities & the New Dubai Middle Class
53:00 – Final Reflections: Family, Time & What Really Matters