It has been a whirlwind few weeks, and I realised it’s been a while since I last shared an update. Life here has been busy—sometimes overwhelmingly so—as I navigate both the professional and personal adjustments that come with moving to a new country.

Exploring Abu Dhabi

One of the highlights of my recent downtime was a visit to the Abu Dhabi National Aquarium. For anyone familiar with the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town, you’d feel right at home. The design, layout, and atmosphere carry a similar spirit, but with a few unique twists. I was especially taken by the “forest section,” where capybaras lazed about as if they owned the place. It was a wonderful moment of calm in the middle of everything else going on.

Diving Into Work

Back at school, the pace has been relentless. Lesson planning here follows a highly structured format that I’m still getting used to—it requires precision and thoroughness, far more than I was accustomed to. At first, it felt daunting, but I can see how it’s designed to ensure consistency across the board.

This past weekend, I spent two full days in IB Middle Years Programme training. Intense? Absolutely. But also invigorating. The IB framework pushes us to think about learning in a much broader, interconnected way. While exhausting, I came away with plenty of new ideas and tools to bring into my classroom.

On top of that, I’ve been introduced to something completely new for me: MAP testing (Measures of Academic Progress). It’s a standardized assessment that gives detailed insight into learners’ strengths and areas for growth. Today, I supervised my first test session and began to understand just how useful this data can be for tailoring lessons to each learner’s needs.

Settling In Personally

Outside of school, things are starting to fall into place. The healthcare system here has impressed me—appointments are easy to arrange, and everything runs smoothly and efficiently. What really surprised me is how late clinics are open: my doctor’s appointments are often around 7 pm in the evenings, and they don’t close until 11 pm. It’s incredibly convenient, especially since it means I don’t have to waste leave days just to sort out prescriptions or check-ups.

With the basics sorted, I’ve also managed to carve out a comfortable workspace at home. It’s nothing extravagant, but it’s my little corner of calm where I can prepare lessons, write, and reflect.

The only constant challenge? The heat. It’s something that no amount of planning can quite prepare you for. Every trip outdoors reminds me I’m no longer in Cape Town!

Looking Ahead

Although I often feel like I’m sprinting just to keep up, there’s an underlying sense of excitement. Each day brings new discoveries, whether in the classroom, around Abu Dhabi, or simply in my own growth as an educator. It’s demanding, yes, but it feels purposeful.

And today is a milestone worth noting—it marks my first full month in Abu Dhabi. Looking back, the days have been packed with learning, discovery, and more than a few adjustments, but I wouldn’t trade the experience.

I’ll be sure to share more as I continue to find my rhythm here. For now, I’m grateful—for the challenges that stretch me, for the moments of wonder (like capybaras in the middle of the desert), and for the steady progress of feeling at home in a brand-new place.