Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
Settling in the United Arab Emirates, whether in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or another emirate, is often a professional and personal dream. High quality of life, tax-free salary, modern infrastructure, sunshine almost all year round… on paper, it all seems idyllic. Yet, behind the skyscrapers and giant malls, many expats and international students face a much more intimate reality: homesickness.
Between 50 and 70% of expats experience some form of nostalgia or distress related to being far away.
This article offers a practical approach, backed by data and local examples, to understand and tame homesickness in the United Arab Emirates, without sugarcoating the difficulties but showing how to turn them into adaptation tools.
Understanding Homesickness in the UAE Context
Homesickness is not a whim nor a sign of weakness. Psychologists describe it as a normal emotional response to a major disruption: separation from loved ones, loss of bearings, brutal change of environment. It often mixes sadness, anxiety, loneliness, irritability, and nostalgia.
In the United Arab Emirates, the population is predominantly expatriate, with over 200 nationalities represented and up to 85-88% foreigners in Dubai. Contrary to popular belief, this great diversity can sometimes complicate integration, giving the impression of not belonging to a clearly defined group, especially during the early stages of settling in.
Add to that daily life: calls to prayer five times a day, a reorganized work week, different religious holidays, laws inspired by Sharia for the public sphere, more modest dress codes in many situations. Even though society is known for being tolerant and inclusive, the distance from one’s original habits can heighten the feeling of being out of step.
For 5 to 6 months, temperatures nearing 50°C severely limit outdoor activities, especially for children, the elderly, and individuals with allergies or asthma. For people from temperate climates, this constraint, which confines them to air-conditioned spaces, can be unsettling and foster a sense of melancholy.
Finally, the cost of living, especially in Dubai, adds another layer of stress. Very expensive housing, costly private schooling for children, an omnipresent luxurious lifestyle that pushes some to live beyond their means and go into debt… all of this can weigh on morale, especially if you constantly compare it to the simpler but reassuring comfort of “back home.”
Recognizing the Signs: When Homesickness Becomes a Hindrance
Homesickness does not look the same for everyone. For some, it appears early, within the first few weeks. For others, it emerges after the famous “six-month blues”, when the euphoria of discovery fades. Research shows that the frustration phase of culture shock often occurs between the 3rd and 9th month, and for some, the peak of nostalgia only arrives after a year.
Emotional and Cognitive Signs
It is common to feel a vague sadness, an urge to cry for no real reason, an underlying anxiety. Thoughts circle endlessly around family, friends, the home you left. You idealize your home country and constantly criticize life here, forgetting that “back there” wasn’t perfect either.
A study published in a German human resources management journal showed that homesickness among expats impairs their work performance. This translates into errors, a backlog of pending files, a drop in motivation and engagement, directly affecting their concentration and efficiency.
Physical and Behavioral Impact
The body is not spared: sleep disorders, constant fatigue, headaches, digestive discomfort, changes in appetite (loss of appetite or disordered eating). Immune defenses drop, and the minor viruses circulating in schools or open-plan offices strike more often.
On the behavioral side, withdrawal appears: declining invitations, spending evenings scrolling through photos of the home country on social media, talking a lot with loved ones back home but little with new acquaintances. This one-sided hyperconnection can give the feeling of being “here without really being here.”
Specialist in intercultural psychology
When these symptoms persist for several weeks and start to significantly affect daily life, relationships, and work, it is no longer just a rough patch but a warning sign to take seriously.
Establishing New Bearings: Routine, Living Space, and Self-Care
To tame homesickness, the first instinct is often to “distract yourself” at all costs. In reality, the most effective approach is often simpler: recreate a reassuring structure and personal rituals in this new setting.
Building a Stable Routine
Specialists emphasize the importance of a clear routine to regain a sense of control. Waking up at a fixed time, scheduling slots for exercise, meals, rest, and leisure helps give structure to the day. A study cited in the texts reminds that an organized and clean environment reduces stress, sometimes by as much as 25%. The idea is not to live a military-like life, but to avoid the feeling of drifting.
To maintain balance despite long workdays, it is recommended to establish precise rituals: have a proper breakfast without screens, use the commute to listen to a favorite podcast, and block out a non-negotiable weekly slot for a pleasurable activity (reading, dancing, yoga, swimming, etc.).
Making Your Home a Temporary “Own Place”
Whether it’s a studio in International City, an apartment in Dubai Marina, or a villa in a gated community like Arabian Ranches, personalizing your space is crucial. Research on home well-being shows that a warm environment—soft lighting, photos of loved ones, familiar objects, comfortable linens—promotes relaxation.
Simple ideas to humanize your office and improve daily well-being.
Bring souvenirs like books, textiles, photos, or small objects to create an emotional anchor.
Replace cold neon lights with warm lighting to radically transform the atmosphere of the space.
Use kits containing essential oils, throws, and cushions to soothe the senses and calm the nervous system.
Taking Care of Your Body to Protect Your Morale
The link between physical state and mental health is well documented. In the United Arab Emirates, this means adapting your sports routine to the climate: favoring air-conditioned gyms, indoor pools, or outings very early in the morning and late in the evening, especially in summer.
Getting good sleep, hydrating more than usual, limiting alcohol consumption (particularly expensive and easily associated with partying) reduces the risk of homesickness sliding into true depression. A few minutes daily of deep breathing, meditation, or a gratitude journal can sometimes lighten anxiety.
Staying Connected Without Getting Stuck in the Past
The temptation, when suffering from homesickness, is to take refuge in video calls and messaging apps. Tools are plentiful: WhatsApp, FaceTime, Zoom, Google Meet, Telegram, Viber, social networks… The issue is therefore not access, but balance.
Structuring Exchanges with Family
Specialists in long-distance relationships recommend scheduling contacts to make them anticipated appointments rather than a constant escape. For example, set a weekly video call with parents, a bi-weekly slot with friends, and accept that you cannot respond to every message in real time, especially with time differences.
In many families, dedicated groups are created on WhatsApp or Facebook to share photos, videos, and little daily updates. The advantage is twofold: everyone stays informed, and the expat doesn’t have to repeat the same story ten times to each loved one.
This type of organization also helps manage expectations. One testimonial mentions the fatigue of a first year abroad spent trying to satisfy everyone, before deciding to focus energy on those who made the effort to stay in touch.
Using Technology Creatively
Beyond simple conversation, modern tools allow sharing real moments: synchronized movie nights via extensions like Teleparty, online games with family, remote cooking classes (everyone prepares the same recipe while chatting), virtual museum tours, etc. These activities reintroduce lightness and replace purely “administrative” exchanges about the weather and work.
Some expats in the UAE keep a private blog or vlog, reserved for their family. This tool allows them to share their daily life (views, commutes, markets) and bridge the imaginary gap that can form with loved ones back home.
Making Room for the Present
The other side of this connection is the risk of spending so much time on it that you neglect local integration. Studies on expats emphasize that the key is to maintain ties without locking yourself into them. Setting simple limits can help: no video calls late at night that disrupt sleep, no social media during meals, set aside “off” blocks to go out, join a club, or simply wander around a neighborhood.
Anchoring Yourself Locally: Building a Network and Choosing Your Environment
In the UAE, the feeling of isolation can be all the stronger because everyone seems busy, occupied, focused on work. Yet, the opportunities to meet people are enormous if you know where to look.
Joining Expat Communities and Clubs
Platforms like InterNations, Meetup, or expat Facebook groups (general or by nationality) list a myriad of networks: professional circles, sports clubs, hiking groups, choirs, cultural associations… In Dubai, organizations like Dubai Expat Network, Dubai Expat Mums, American Women’s Network, Australian Business Council, as well as French-speaking or Spanish-speaking groups, exist and regularly organize events.
You can also find very specific clubs: choirs (Dubai Singers, Dubai Chamber Choir), sports groups (Dubai Roadsters for cycling, sailing clubs at Jebel Ali, women’s football teams), national cultural societies (Irish Society, Scottish Association, Dutch or German clubs, etc.). In Abu Dhabi, expat communities organize coffee mornings, outings, workshops, and family gatherings.
Participating actively—suggesting an outing idea, offering to help at an event—is often the best way to create deeper bonds than simple hallway conversations.
Connecting with Locals Too
It is tempting to stay in an expat bubble. But to truly ease the feeling of being out of sync, getting closer to Emirati culture is valuable. This can start with simple things: greeting with “As-salam alaykum,” learning to say “shukran” (thank you) or “min fadlak / min fadlik” (please), understanding politeness rules (not extending a hand to an Emirati woman unless she initiates it, using the right hand to offer or receive).
Participating in an iftar during Ramadan, attending an Al Ayala dance, visiting a public majlis, or volunteering for a project (food distribution, beach cleanup, environmental campaign) are authentic ways to experience this hospitality from the inside.
Choosing a Neighborhood That Suits Your Emotional Needs
The place you live strongly influences how you experience expatriation. The two major cities, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, offer very different atmospheres from one neighborhood to another. Adapting your choice to your life stage and sensitivity can alleviate homesickness.
Neighborhoods like Dubai Marina, JBR, or Downtown Dubai offer a lively international lifestyle with promenades, restaurants, and beaches, ideal for young expats. However, their high cost and heavy foot traffic can lead to fatigue and social pressure from comparing to a luxurious lifestyle.
For families seeking peace and greenery, communities like Arabian Ranches, Emirates Living (The Springs, The Meadows, The Lakes), Dubai Hills Estate, or Jumeirah Park, with villas, parks, schools, and community centers, offer a more serene setting, similar to a Western residential suburb. In Abu Dhabi, areas like Al Karamah, Al Mushrif, Al Muroor, Al Raha, or Saadiyat Island also provide greener, family-friendly environments.
Other neighborhoods like Jumeirah Village Circle, International City, Discovery Gardens, or Mohammed Bin Zayed City are more affordable, with a very international population and many local services, which can make it easier to build a social circle for those arriving on a tighter budget.
Simplified Comparison of Some Expat Neighborhood Profiles
Here is a summary table (qualitative data and annual rent ranges mentioned in reports) to illustrate how neighborhood choice can affect daily feelings:
| City / Neighborhood | General Vibe | Typical Expat Profile | Studio (AED/year, approx.) | Morale Strengths | Points to Watch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai Marina | Lively, modern, leisure-oriented | Young professionals, nomads, couples | ≥ 65,000 | Promenade, beach, restaurants, lots of expats | Noise, temptation of expensive living, crowds |
| Downtown Dubai | Luxury, urban, touristy | Executives, couples, prestige seekers | ≥ 75,000 | Iconic, near Burj Khalifa & Dubai Mall | Very high rents, intense tourism |
| JVC (Dubai) | Community-oriented, developing | Tight budget, first-timers | – | More affordable prices, parks, diverse neighbors | Construction, services still growing |
| Arabian Ranches (Dubai) | Suburban, green, family-friendly | Families, pet owners | – (villas) | Quiet, green spaces, schools, strong community | Relative distance from major urban centers |
| Al Khalidiyah (Abu Dhabi) | Lively, family-oriented, many Western expats | Families, executives | 30,000 – 70,000 | Parks, near Corniche, neighborhood feel | Traffic, urban density |
| Khalifa City (Abu Dhabi) | Suburban, affordable, expanding | Families, moderate budget | 30,000 – 60,000 | Larger villas, good international schools | Distance from center, reported pollution |
| Al Reem Island (Abu Dhabi) | Modern, waterfront, very expat | Young professionals, couples | 50,000 – 80,000 | Sea view, services (Waitrose, schools), “cluster” feel | Higher rents, very vertical environment |
Living in a neighborhood that matches your needs—bustle or tranquility, proximity to schools or offices, easy access to beach or parks—can reduce feelings of uprootedness. And nothing stops you from starting with a short-term rental in one area, then moving once you know the city better.
Celebrating Your Holidays… and Those of the Host Country
The calendar is a powerful identity marker. Christmas, Diwali, Chinese New Year, Easter, Thanksgiving, national holidays… being away during these times inevitably revives homesickness. In the UAE, the good news is that you can generally continue to celebrate your traditions, while also discovering those of the host country.
Recreating Your Original Holidays in the UAE
The legal framework is clear: non-Muslims are free to practice their religion and celebrate their important days. In the major cities, hotels, restaurants, and community centers adapt. In Dubai, many upscale establishments organize Thanksgiving brunches, Christmas dinners, Halloween parties, Super Bowl screenings, etc. American, Asian, and European restaurant chains offer special menus.
The price in AED per person for some festive brunches aimed at expats.
Opening Up to Local Holidays: A Powerful Antidote to Homesickness
Actively participating in major Emirati celebrations is a direct way to feel less like a “foreigner.” Three highlights stand out.
First, the UAE National Day, celebrated every year in early December, transforms the cities into a patchwork of red, green, white, and black flags. Fireworks, light shows, concerts, parades, and animations at iconic venues like Downtown Dubai, Abu Dhabi Corniche, Global Village, or Dubai Frame create an atmosphere of shared pride. Experiencing these moments locally helps you embrace the country’s history.
Ramadan, followed by Eid celebrations, profoundly changes the collective rhythm with shorter work hours, convivial iftars at sunset, and strong solidarity. For a non-Muslim, being invited to an iftar, taking part in a food distribution, or simply respecting the codes (like not eating or drinking in public during the day) are privileged ways to intimately grasp the local spirituality and social cohesion.
Finally, other public holidays like New Year (civil or Hijri), Commemoration Day, or even Christmas—increasingly celebrated in shopping malls and hotels with decorations and markets—testify to the deeply multicultural character of the country.
By combining celebrating your own traditions and discovering those of the host country, you gradually stop perceiving yourself as “passing through” and enter a logic of dual belonging.
Traveling Without Breaking the Bank: Using Trips to Recharge Without Risk
For many, the real remedy for homesickness is one thing: going back to see loved ones. But distances, ticket prices, and limited vacation time complicate this ideal. Here again, recent data on travel habits from the UAE offer strategic insights.
Planning Your Returns and Getaways Well
Surveys indicate that the vast majority of UAE residents plan to travel at least as much as the previous year, often more. A strong trend: multiplying “short” trips rather than betting on one very costly trip per year.
Search engines like Skyscanner show, for example, that certain days (Saturday is often mentioned) can offer cheaper tickets departing from the UAE, and that months like May, June, September, or October are generally more financially advantageous, with savings potentially reaching several hundred dirhams per trip.
This is the minimum price in AED for a round-trip economy class ticket from the UAE to certain Indian cities, according to the planning tool.
Choosing Between a Return Home and a “Compensation” Destination
Figures cited in reports show that a one-week trip home during peak season (e.g., Christmas) can quickly become very expensive. Cases mention tickets around 3,400 AED per person to certain cities, for a total cost of 17,000 to 18,000 AED for a family for one week, once accommodation and local expenses are included.
Faced with these amounts, many residents make a pragmatic choice: alternating a major “home” return with more affordable getaways that still offer a real break. Destinations like Istanbul, Cairo, Davao, Salalah, or Phuket have been mentioned as particularly interesting at certain times, with significant fare reductions (up to -21% depending on the route).
A nearby trip (e.g., Istanbul, Cairo) costs about 8,000–9,000 AED, roughly half the cost of a long-haul trip. This is not about replacing returns home, but about avoiding the choice between an expensive family trip and not traveling at all. Alternating between the two types of trips over several years helps preserve morale without upsetting your budget.
Low-Cost Flights and Transport Tips
The UAE has an ecosystem of low-cost carriers—Flydubai, Air Arabia, Flynas, etc.—serving dozens of destinations in Asia, Europe, and Africa. Comparing offers on multiple comparison sites (Skyscanner, Cleartrip, Wego, Kiwi.com) and staying flexible on dates and airports (e.g., considering departure from Sharjah or Dubai Al Maktoum) maximizes chances of finding good deals.
At the same time, mastering local transport (NOL card in Dubai for metro, bus, tram; bus fares from 3 AED; taxi with a starting fare around 12 AED within the emirate; abra for 1 AED on the Creek) helps reduce daily costs, freeing up budget for travel without cutting back on local activities.
Relying on Psychological Resources Available in the UAE
Sometimes, despite all efforts, homesickness turns into lasting distress. Difficulty getting up, loss of interest in almost everything, extreme isolation, very negative or even hopeless thoughts… In these situations, it is essential to know that in the UAE, mental health services are rapidly expanding and that solutions adapted to expats now exist.
A Growing Range of Care
The UAE healthcare system is modern and well-equipped, and mental health is the subject of a dedicated national policy. A federal decree governs psychiatry, protects patient rights, and requires supervisory committees in each emirate. The official goal is to develop outpatient services, specialized inpatient units, and community-based care.
Main public centers offering mental health and rehabilitation services for various populations.
The first specialized facility in the region to obtain international accreditation. Offers care for adults, the elderly, children, and addiction disorders.
National center offering rehabilitation services and specialized care, particularly for addiction disorders.
Dedicated behavioral sciences pavilion offering care for a wide range of mental and addictive disorders.
However, many expats turn to the private sector, which is more accessible to them: centers like American Center for Psychiatry and Neurology (with locations in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Al Ain), Thrive Wellbeing Centre, Lighthouse Arabia, Life Works, American Wellness Center, and others offer psychiatry (with medication management) and psychotherapy (consultations with psychologists and psychotherapists).
The cost of an individual session generally ranges between 500 and 1,000 AED for 50–60 minutes, depending on the practitioner and facility. Some employer health insurance plans cover part of these costs, but coverage levels vary greatly from one contract to another.
Teletherapy and Specialized Platforms for Expats
For those who prefer discretion or have time constraints, many online platforms have emerged, often with an intercultural angle. Some are based in the region and explicitly target expats, with therapists trained in the typical difficulties of expatriation (culture shock, homesickness, professional burnout, couple conflicts related to mobility, etc.).
Several platforms offer sessions in multiple languages (English, Arabic, French, Hindi, Malayalam, Spanish, German). They generally ensure compliance with confidentiality standards like HIPAA and use secure servers. A free or reduced-fee initial consultation for matching is sometimes offered.
Scientific research indicates that cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBT) and internet-based interpersonal approaches have comparable effectiveness to in-person treatments for conditions like depression, including among Arabic speakers. For an expat living far from a major urban center or suffering from irregular hours, this flexibility can make all the difference.
When to Seek Help?
Professionals recommend consulting if:
It is advisable to consult a health professional if homesickness lasts more than a few weeks without improvement, if negative emotions like sadness or anxiety become almost constant, if basic functions (work, studies, self-care, social life) are seriously impacted, or if thoughts of extreme escape, self-deprecation, or self-harm appear.
The process can go through your company’s health service (employee assistance programs), a university’s wellness service for students, or a direct appointment with a specialist (no referral is needed in most cases).
There are also helplines and emergency numbers, for example free hotlines in case of distress, alongside the traditional police (999) and ambulance (998) numbers. For specific issues such as alcohol or drug addiction, anonymous groups (Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Al-Anon for families) are active in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other emirates.
Asking for help does not mean you have “failed” your expatriation. On the contrary, it is often what allows transforming an apparently failed experience into a springboard for personal growth.
Using Local Culture and Leisure as Allies
Finally, an often underestimated element in managing homesickness is the ability to let yourself be surprised by the country you live in. The UAE, beyond its image of luxury and consumption, offers a cultural, historical, and natural richness that can become a true anchor.
Between the historic districts like Al Fahidi in Dubai or Al Hosn in Abu Dhabi, the world-class museums like the Louvre Abu Dhabi, traditional souks (gold, spices, textiles), iconic mosques like Sheikh Zayed Mosque, mangrove reserves, deserts, and mountains, there are countless places to create new memories.
Attending a festival (Dubai Shopping Festival, National Day shows, light festivals in Sharjah, sports competitions like the Formula 1 Grand Prix at Yas Marina), joining a book club, an art workshop, an amateur theater troupe, or a hiking group gradually replaces the feeling of “suspended life” with that of a life fully lived here and now.
In Conclusion: Accepting the Slowness of the Process
It would be dishonest to claim there is a magic formula to make homesickness disappear in the UAE. All studies converge on the same idea: adaptation is a process, rarely linear, that can take from a few months to several years. The “dip” around the six-month mark is common, but many report that once this threshold is crossed, things become smoother.
To get through a difficult period and recreate a sense of belonging, it is recommended to acknowledge your difficulties, talk about them, adjust your daily life (routine, neighborhood, budget, hobbies), maintain balanced family ties, integrate into a local network, and seek professional help if necessary. These cumulative actions help you recreate a new ‘home’ for yourself.
The United Arab Emirates is a country of transit, projects, and mixtures. Used consciously, these elements can become less a source of anxiety and more a unique opportunity to learn to be at home within yourself, no matter what country is stamped in your passport.
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Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.
On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.
Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.
