Moving to Dubai as a South African Governess

What I Wish I Knew Before I Went

Thinking about moving to Dubai as a South African nanny?

I know exactly what it feels like to arrive in Dubai for the first time.

I remember walking into a city that felt almost impossible to comprehend. The incredible skyline, the futuristic buildings, the immaculate roads, the level of service and the fact that almost everything simply works.

Coming from South Africa, it can take a little while to get used to.

And I mean that in the best possible way.

Dubai feels like stepping into the future

One of the first things you notice about Dubai is just how modern everything is.

The buildings are enormous, the city is constantly developing and there is an incredible sense of efficiency everywhere you go.

As South Africans, many of us are used to things occasionally being broken, delayed or simply not working. In Dubai, the expectation is completely different.

If something breaks, it gets fixed.

Quickly.

Sometimes within the hour.

At first, this is almost a slightly funny experience to get used to. You find yourself thinking, “Wait… things actually get sorted immediately here?”

Eventually, you become accustomed to it — and then you wonder how you ever lived without it.

You can get almost anything, anytime

Another thing that surprised me was just how convenient life in Dubai can be.

You can order food at almost any hour. You can have groceries delivered. You can order household items, clothes, beauty products, electronics and almost anything else you can think of.

And if you can’t find what you’re looking for?

There is a very good chance you can find it online.

Amazon deliveries, food delivery services and an incredibly developed network of businesses make life remarkably convenient.

For someone working as a nanny or household professional, this can be especially useful. Families often expect things to be organised efficiently, and Dubai is a city that makes that possible.

Yes, it is HOT — and the humidity is something else!

Let’s talk about the weather.

Dubai is hot.

Very hot.

And then there is the humidity.

Coming from South Africa, you may think you understand hot weather. Dubai may change your mind.

The summer months can take some getting used to, particularly when you step outside and the humidity hits you.

Fortunately, Dubai is built around air conditioning. Homes, cars, shopping centres, restaurants and workplaces are generally wonderfully cool.

You learn to plan your day around the weather, stay hydrated and appreciate air conditioning more than you ever thought possible.

And eventually, you adapt.

The food and service are exceptional

Perhaps this is because I had experience working in hospitality, but one of the things I particularly loved about Dubai was the standard of food and service.

It is excellent.

There is an incredible variety of restaurants, cuisines and dining experiences. Whether you want something casual or something extremely luxurious, you can find it.

Of course, Dubai can be expensive — very expensive — particularly when you start exploring the more luxurious side of the city.

But the quality and service can be exceptional.

And if you are working for a private or VVIP family, you may find yourself exposed to an entirely different level of hospitality and service than you have experienced before.

Working around wealthy families is a learning experience

This is one of the most important things I would tell any South African nanny considering a position in Dubai.

You need to understand how to conduct yourself around wealthy people.

Working in a private household is very different from working in an ordinary childcare environment.

You need to be professional, discreet and observant.

You need to understand boundaries.

You need to know when to speak and when to listen.

And perhaps most importantly, you need to learn how to read the room.

Not everything needs to be said.

Not every conversation needs your opinion.

Not every situation requires you to become involved.

Working with high-net-worth and VVIP families teaches you a tremendous amount about professionalism, emotional intelligence, discretion and personal presentation.

These are skills that stay with you for the rest of your career.

Dubai is fun — but it is different

Moving from South Africa to Dubai is an adjustment.

The culture is different. The expectations can be different. The lifestyle is different.

You are entering a city where people from all over the world live and work together, and you will encounter different cultures, religions, personalities and ways of doing things.

That is what makes it so interesting.

You get to experience restaurants you never knew existed, meet people from all over the world, explore incredible places and experience a lifestyle that can feel completely different from home.

And for a nanny working in a private household, you may also have opportunities to travel with your employers and experience places you might never otherwise have visited.

My biggest piece of advice to South African nannies

Go with an open mind.

Don’t expect Dubai to be South Africa.

Don’t expect your employer to operate exactly the way a South African family would.

And don’t assume that being a wonderful nanny is only about being fantastic with children.

When you work in a private household overseas, your professionalism matters just as much as your childcare skills.

Your appearance, communication, discretion, adaptability, attitude and ability to understand your environment all matter.

You are representing yourself, your profession and, in many cases, South African domestic and childcare professionals as a whole.

Take pride in that.

And finally… enjoy it.

If you are considering moving to Dubai as a South African nanny, my biggest piece of advice is simple:

Enjoy the experience.

Yes, there will be days when you miss home.

Yes, there will be cultural differences that take time to understand.

Yes, the heat and humidity may make you question every life decision you have ever made!

But living and working in Dubai can give you an incredible perspective on the world.

You learn independence.

You develop professionally.

You experience different cultures.

You meet extraordinary people.

You see how some of the world’s most successful households operate.

And you grow in ways you probably never expected.

Looking back, working in the Middle East was one of the best experiences of my life.

And it is one of the reasons I am so passionate today about helping South African nannies, governesses and other household professionals find the right international opportunities.

Dubai isn’t simply somewhere you go to work.

For the right person, it can be the beginning of an entirely different chapter of your life.

And trust me — you’ll never forget it.