- Name: Cara Werneyer
- Age: 31
- Current location: Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
- Home town: Cape Town, South Africa
- Education: Bachelor of Education, UNISA, South Africa
- Current position: Homeroom/Lead Teacher, Grade 4, Madar International School
- Organization description: Founded in 2002, the Madar International School has over 2,000 students and 150 teachers. They focus on an international curriculum that prepares students for Advanced Placement and SAT examinations, allowing them to succeed at universities all over the world.
- Bio: Born and raised in South Africa, Cara Werneyer earned her teaching degree by correspondence while she worked in an after school program. After earning her credentials, she taught Grade 1 in the one of the roughest neighbourhoods in Cape Town. After a few years, she decided to embark on a new adventure and teach internationally - landing in Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates, in February of 2016.
- Countries I've worked in: South Africa, UAE
- Sector / subsectors: Education, International Schools
- Areas of expertise: Primary School Teaching
- Country: South Africa, United Arab Emirates
- Region: Africa, Middle East
- Sector: Education
- Degree subject: Education
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Who are you, and what do you do?
Cara explains why she's not just an "English" teacher.
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What's an average week like for you, living and working in the UAE?
Cara tells us about work-life balance in the UAE, and why you'll always have Fridays off.
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How did you end up here? Tell us about your career trajectory.
From having no experience working with children, to studying via correspondence, and ending up in the Middle East by process of elimination - Cara tells us how she got to where she is now.
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You mentioned using a recruitment agency. Tell us more about that experience.
Cara shares her favourite sites for finding jobs and information about teaching abroad.
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What do you like the most about working in the UAE?
Teaching in the UAE doesn’t mean staying in the UAE - Cara explains how contracts allow for travel and exploration.
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What are some the challenges you've faced working internationally?
As Cara puts it, "I'm friends with people who back home, I probably wouldn't have said more a sentence or two to."
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Can you talk to us about the language barrier?
Can I buy a vowel!? Cara breaks down some of the challenges, from dealing with cab drivers, to spelling Arabic names in English.
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You mentioned that in the UAE they do things "opposite way." Can you give us an example?
U-turns, roundabouts, and SUVs galore! Cara tells us about driving in the UAE.
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What qualifications do you need to succeed in this line of work?
Cara breaks down the qualifications needed to teach in the UAE.
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What about other skills or qualities would be useful?
Adapt, adapt, adapt… Whether to students, the weather, or cultural differences.
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Tell us more about the weather, and how to dress for it.
Cara gives us her tips when it comes to dressing and packing for the hot summer in the UAE.
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You mentioned the importance of being careful with gestures. Can you give us an example?
Cara shares two lessons she learned when it comes to letting your hands do the talking in the UAE.
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What are some pointers for landing a teaching position in the UAE?
Cara breaks down the pros and cons of working in a government school versus a private school, and what to watch out for when it comes to recruitment agencies.
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Anything else you think people need to know when moving to the Middle East for work?
Find out why you'll have to think twice before posting that funny photo to Facebook, and why the UAE can be a hot spot for nature lovers and shopping enthusiasts alike.
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What are some of the misconceptions of the UAE?
Cara clarifies some misconceptions, including having a social life.
