Vive la France

On the eve of the football World Cup 2018, and on the days following the pomp and celebrations, Melissa Randhawa spoke with French nationals who celebrate life, or 'la belle vie' in Dubai.

Electric, enchanting and brimming with excitement - best describes the atmosphere at the cocktail dinner held at Grand Hyatt on July 14 to commemorate French National Day or Bastille Day. It brought many a jubilant French national, whose eyes lit up with pride at the very mention of their country's football team for winning its way to the finals, and eventually, bringing the World Cup 'home' to France after 20 years.

Nawal H.
While savouring some of the finest French cheeses and treats at the fête, Nawal H who was at ease to mingle with people from her home country, remarked, "In some cases, it can be very interesting to network since it may be the starting point for new perspectives."
Nawal was commissioned by her company from Paris to start a project in the UAE in 2015. With a happy expression she added, "I now live here with my husband and my daughter and take this opportunity to meet or gather with French people, friends or colleagues."

Elodie Miath
Impressed by multiculturalism, safety and climate in Dubai is Parisienne Elodie Miath. She moved to Dubai three years ago to work as a programme manager, and admits to feeling closer than ever to the French community, and more so as a supporter of the French football team during the FIFA World Cup.
"I really feel a great bond now," remarked Miath, while savouring bites from a cocktail dinner served at fete nationale celebrations. "In fact, life really flies in Dubai; I work very long hours and do many social activities, so my schedule is really swamped," she added. For a taste of home, Elodie looks forward to authentic French pastries at La Farine. "C'est la vie, as we say in France," she cheered.

Laurelen A. and Alexis Demaret
Laurelen A., who is from Annecy, which is the largest city of Haute-Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France, truly delights in Dubai. "The city is easy to live in. I enjoy dining at the restaurants and partying at nightclubs with my friends," marvelled Laurelen.
"My friends and I watched France bring the World Cup home, and the atmosphere at Barasti was amazing that day. In fact, Dubai has a strong french community and it's easy to mingle here. I came here for career opportunities in February 2017, and the chances I've received to develop my career has been well worth the decision," she added.
In agreement is Alexis Demaret, her close friend who has lived in Dubai for 14 months. He stated, "The developing business markets in Dubai makes it easier to reach good positions and secure better opportunities for my career. Life feels easier. It's like being on holiday when the weekends arrive as there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy and be merry."

Ilham B
Smitten by the pleasant living environment and holiday feel in Dubai is Ilham B. from Dijon, Burgundy. "It's always sunny, so people are always happy and smiling. Plus you feel like you are on holiday every weekend, as you can go to beaches and go out with friends to amazing places. I've even started a blog on my life in Dubai called Theinspoodie."
Elaborating further, Ilham expressed, "What I love about Dubai is its uniqueness in terms of multiculturalism and its role as a business hub. It is so well-located and dynamic for both professional and personal connections."

Yasmina M.
Echoing this sentiment is Yasmina M. from Nice, who has had a fantastic time watching the FIFA finals at Asateer tent in Atlantis, The Palm. "It was amazing! It is so good to feel the French spirit even though I am far from my home country, and be able to experience the victory of France while surrounded by my countrymen," beamed Yasmina.
She visited Dubai few years ago, fell in love with the city, and returned to work as an activation manager for French water brands, naming Carrefour as her favourite stockist of French food. "Fauchon is my favourite restaurant in Dubai, especially for a typical French breakfast," recommended Yasmina.
She stays close to her sprawling French community in Dubai by attending networking events and alumni events from her school. "Meeting, working, living with people from different cultures is an enriching experience. In fact, Dubai is well advanced in sports activities, and I can exercise just as I was doing in France. I've travelled a lot and would say Dubai is a very unique hub of multiculturalism," Yasmina acknowledged.

Hugo Maugenest
"There are about 900 people here today to celebrate French National Day 2018," observed Hugo Maugenest from Versailles, "and it is another fine opportunity to gather and connect with fellow countrymen."
"The lifestyle in Dubai is merveilleux," commented Hugo, who for the last four years has lived and studied in the US, Paris and in the South of France before coming to Dubai a year ago.
He highly commended the process upheld by the authorities to facilitate French people coming to work in the UAE. "The VIE programme is available for young people from ages 18 to 28 who want to work abroad in French companies. With around 25,000 French nationals living in Dubai and 10,000 more in other emirates, of course, I feel as close to my culture as I do in Versailles where I live," he conveyed.
As a sports and fitness enthusiast, Hugo percieves the facilities in Dubai to be much to his liking, giving him the chance to play badminton in South Ridge residence and volleyball either in JBR, Barasti or Kite Beach. "Sho Cho near La Mer is where I'd go almost on a weekly basis during winter," he added. During the summer, he had watched and celebrated the FIFA World Cup with friends at the dome in Barasti. "I was happy to celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime event with hundreds of French people around me, which made me feel like I was home."

On that note, many expats not only from France, but from all over the world may relate to this conclusive and enthusiastic point of view about living in a dynamic, urban metrolpolis like Dubai.