The Middle East can seem a scary place – and not the ideal location for a single British woman to be heading to. For Amanda Settle spending more time in the British education system as a teacher wasn’t going to provide her with the fulfillment she was after. Feeling disillusioned she took a teaching position at an international school in Kuwait.
Since then she has worked in Qatar and Dubai, meeting her husband along the way. Amanda has now taken a break from teaching and relocated to the Greek island of Rhodes very close to the mainland of Turkey where she is enjoying the slow pace of village life.
Amanda joins us to talk about her experiences as a single woman in the Middle East and how she is enjoying the slower pace of life living in Greece.
Catch up with her at http://www.amandasettle.com
What I learned from Amanda:
- Accept the local culture particularly in the Middle East and don’t try and change it. You might be offended by some things that are considered commonplace but remember you are the visitor – so when in Rome! Do your homework before moving to the Middle East – know that it’s a totally different experience to what you’re used to. Talk to others who have done it first
- If doing a teaching job there check your contract carefully. They can slip conditions in a little underhanded that you might need to look out for so go over it with a fine tooth comb and make sure you are comfortable with what’s expected.
- Rhodes is affordable - try 1000 euros per month - but not as cheap as mainland Greece as goods have to be transported across. Source larger goods elsewhere. Amanda purchase most of her furniture for her rental property in the Middle East before shifting, finding that even with moving costs it was still better than buying it on the island.
- Schengen rules allow only 3 months stays with 3 months leaving the Schengen zone so if you’re planning to go to Greece and don’t have a passport that gives you free access to Schengen zones you’ll need to accommodate these requirements. Do your research first.