Corkonians Abroad: In Dubai, the motto is work hard, play hard

THIS week, I caught up with Miriam el Mahdi, from Douglas, who now lives in Dubai with her husband Olly.

How did you end up in the Middle East?

After completing my degree in Occupational Therapy in Edinburgh in 2015, I embarked on an adventure that would lead me to the vibrant heart of Dubai.

As I stood on the sandy shores of Barasti Beach, my last day in the city, I looked out at the towering skyscrapers and whispered to myself: “This is the life for me.” Dubai had cast its spell on me, promising excitement and endless opportunities. But life had its own plan for me, and Dubai would have to wait a little longer.

Balming out in Bahrain

I couldn’t secure a job in Dubai, so destiny took me to Bahrain, a small island nestled next to Saudi Arabia. Bahrain felt like a hidden gem, a place where time stood still.

I spent the best six years of my life living with American military friends and playing Gaelic football. 

It was an experience unlike any other, and I felt immensely grateful for the opportunity to live in a land that seemed frozen in charm.

The island’s intense party scene and the warmth of its people left an indelible mark on my heart. I met Donald there who was the flowerman for my wedding. We shared the most unique, fun, caring, loving relationship, people used to call us Will and Grace. I lived in a three-bed villa with our own private pool with him for three years.

Family, Love and Loss

During my time in Bahrain, I faced one of life’s most profound challenges - the loss of my beloved mother, Margaret (Mag).

My mum was an expat herself, a wanderer of the world. She had embarked on her own adventures, from teaching in the heart of Cameroon to working for an Oil and Gas company in the deserts of Libya.

Her experiences had instilled in her the same wanderlust that now beats strongly within me. 

She saw the world as an oyster, and she was never one to shy away from its boundless opportunities.

More than anything, she believed in spreading one’s wings and soaring into the great unknown. I could see it in her eyes, that shared love for adventure. We were kindred spirits, bound by the travel bug that had burrowed deep into our souls.

Expat life, she would often say, was more than a phase; it was a way of life, a state of being. And I, her daughter, had fully embraced that philosophy. It was ingrained in my very being, guiding me on a path that led me to the heart of the Gulf, to Bahrain, and eventually to the gleaming city of Dubai.

It was her legacy that gave me the courage to seize life’s opportunities, to embrace the world with open arms. 

And as I stand here, an Irishwoman abroad, I know that she is watching over me, guiding me on this incredible journey. She may not be with me in person, but her spirit travels with me, lighting the way as I continue to explore this wondrous world.

It was meant to be

Exactly a week before her first-year anniversary I was due to fly home from Bahrain, it was then that I met Olly in an Irish bar called McGettigan’s. It was serendipity, like the universe was at play, guided by the hand of both our beloved mums. That very night, Olly turned to Donald and said, “I’m going to marry her.”

In the blink of an eye, Olly moved in with Donald and me after only two weeks. 

Four incredible years later, on May 20, 2023, we exchanged our vows in Italy, with my dear friend Don serving as our Flowerman.

Olly was everything I never knew I needed, and he was exactly what my mum would have wanted for me.

Olly is not only the love of my life but also the man who supported us as we embarked on our next adventure in Dubai. It was a dream I’d had for so long, and with him by my side, it became a reality. It’s as if our mums’ spirits guided us toward one another, and our love story is their precious gift to us.

Work and Life in Dubai

In Dubai, expats create a family of their own, where friends’ mums and dads become yours for a week. The connections run deep, turning a foreign land into a global extended family. For me, the bond goes beyond borders, with my two best friends, Natalie from Dublin and Suzie from Wexford. Our connection is so strong that I even moved apartments just to live next to them. That’s the power of the Irish spirit, bringing people together across continents.

Working in Dubai is an exhilarating experience, where the pace is relentless and the motto is clear: work hard, play hard. And we do work hard. In my role as an occupational therapist at Insights, an Irish-owned company in Dubai, I find immense satisfaction in supporting children and their families. It’s a fulfilling and, at times, challenging role, but it’s a mission I wholeheartedly embrace.

The magic of Dubai is like a Never-Never Land, a place where you never grow old. 

Dubai is famous for epic pool parties where age is just a number, and it’s where you’ll always find new friends and new adventures just around the corner. You might come across crypto millionaires and celebrities from Towie dancing on the beach amongst you. Although we will always end up in an Irish bar for the rugby.

What do you miss about Cork?

Amidst the shimmer and shine of Dubai, there are moments of bittersweet nostalgia. I miss the simple joys of home, like families sitting together on the couch, sharing laughter and stories. A trip to the chipper or a walk around the town where you say ‘hi’ to familiar faces are cherished memories from Ireland.

Wedding Day Memories

Life’s journey is never without its trials, and one of the most profound moments of loss was the absence of my mother at my wedding in Italy. It was an emotional challenge, one that felt like a piece of my heart was missing on that beautiful day. 

Olly and I shared in that moment of missing our mums and we created a beautiful tribute for them on the day.

Amidst the sadness, there was a wellspring of love and support. My amazing aunties, uncles, cousins, and best friends, (shout out to the bridesmaids from Douglas Amanda, Sinead, Lorraine and Ciara) and the people we had grown up with, rallied around us and held our hands, along with friends from my expat adventures, hailing from America, the UK, Australia, Bahrain, and Dubai.

My twin brother, Neily, who had flown in from Australia, stepped in to walk me down the aisle. It was a moment of profound significance, he really stepped up to the day and gave the most insane speech. Well done, Boi!

The wedding itself was a complete magical fairytale and I am so blessed to have grown up with and been moulded by the people who were there.

As my adventure continues, I carry with me the spirit of my beloved mum and the strength of my Cork roots. No matter how far I roam, being from Cork is like having a secret superpower, a reminder of where I came from and the strength that upbringing instilled in me.

Catch up on our Corkonians Abroad series here