Travel to The Middle East to backpack, study, intern, volunteer, work,

or live as a digital nomad, expat or emigrant?

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 The Middle East

Intro

Backpacking in the Middle East?

  • The Middle East is not an easy region for backpackers, but there are many places you must have been even as a backpacker.
  • Features: historic cities, superdeluxe city-states, limited public transportation, endless distances, colorful souks and relatively many unsafe regions.

Travel in the Middle East?

  • A trip through the Middle East is one in which you often learn to look at yourself and the world differently through ancient religious disputes, sparsely populated areas and cultural differences.
  • City spotting: Cairo, Dubai, Isfahan, Istanbul, Jeddah, Jerusalem, Petra.
  • Nature spotting: the Nile Delta, the underwater world of the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf, the deserts in Jordan and Oman.

Study in the Middle East?

  • Language study: an Arabic language course is a good option in Egypt and Jordan, among others.
  • Study cities: Al Ain (United Arab Emirates), Beirut (Lebanon), Doha (Qatar), Jeddah (Saudi Arabia).

Internships in the Middle East?

  • Internships: internships are good only in some countries and cities.
  • Internship cities: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Istanbul.

Volunteering in the Middle East?

  • Volunteer projects: especially in education (teaching English), in refugee camps and in nature conservation.

Working in the Middle East?

  • Jobs: temporary work can be found mainly in the sectors: hospitality, education and tourism.
  • Characteristics: the work culture can vary considerably by country and location.

Working as a digital nomad in the Middle East?

  • Favorite locations: Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), Amman (Jordan), Beirut (Lebanon), Dahab (Egypt), Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Istanbul (Turkey), Manama (Bahrain), Muscat (Oman), Tel Aviv (Israel).

Living in the Middle East?

  • Characteristics: the high temperature in summer, the “air-conditioned society,” the influence of Islam, negotiating prices, the lack or sometimes abundance of alcohol, relatively high salaries.
  • Expats: a significant portion of the population in the Middle East is made up of expats. In almost every city there is a community that is sometimes more, but often less, integrated into society.
  • Health care: in almost all countries it is wise to arrange your own (international) health insurance.

Supporting content

Supporting content:
Recipes from The Middle East or with a Arabic twist by WorldSupporters - Bundle

Recipes from The Middle East or with a Arabic twist by WorldSupporters - Bundle

Recipes from The Middle East or with a Arabic twist by WorldSupporters

Recipe: Easy vegan Shakshuka recipe

Recipe: Easy vegan Shakshuka recipe

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When I was in Budapest over the Christmas holidays, I had the most delicious Shakshuka! It reminded me of the time when to Israeli guys were making breakfast in a hostel in Japan and they shared some of their delicious meal with me.. However, at that time I wasn't able to remember the name of the dish... so it took me 3 years to finally figure it out, in the Jewish quarter of Budapest. 

What is shakshuka?
Shakshuka is a traditional North-African/Israelean dish that can be enjoyed at every moment of the day. It is great for breakfast, lunch and dinner and is very easy to prepare. 

While the dish usually comes with eggs cooked on top of the shakshuka base, I will leave this out in the vegan recipe. As a replacement, you can add extra vegetables, olives, tofu-feta (https://simpleveganblog.com/vegan-tofu-feta-cheese/, or just eat it as it is with some delicious bread. 

While many variations of shakshuka can be found on the internet, the traditional verson is basically spiced tomate base with onions and garlic (and bell pepper), and eggs on top. 

How to make Shakshuka?
1. You start with chopping the onions garlic, red pepper, bell pepper and tomatoes (if you use any) into small pieces. 

2. Then you heat 3 tbsp. olive oil in a large iron skillot. Add the onions and garlic and saute them for a couple of minutes. Before the garlic turns brown, add in the red pepper, bell pepper, the spices and the salt and pepper. 

3. Cook for about 5 to 10 minutes, but don't let it burn. 

4. Add the tomatoes (if you use any), tomato sauce and extra vegetables/tofu if using any. Cook for another 10 minutes.

5. Taste and add more salt and pepper if necessary. 

6. Serve the sauce with some parsley on top and some delicious pita bread and/or salad on the side! 

 

Ready In: 25 min.

Ingredients:

  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 large white onions
  • 1 red pepper
  • 1 bell pepper
  • 4 cloves of garlic
  • 1 tsp. cumin
  • 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
  • 2 tsp. paprika powder
  • 1 can peeled and diced tomaties
  • 1 tsp. tomato purée
  • salt and pepper to taste
Recipe: Home made Hummus

Recipe: Home made Hummus

Boil chick peas or open a can. Let it cool down or take the liquid out.

Add garlic (I like more than the "normal" recipe) so put as much as you like.

Add olive oil, otherwise it wont blend, make it like a paste.

In the Philippines it is very expensive to buy Tahini, so just put sesame seeds (also adjust to your own taste).

Always a succes! Healthy and easy does it.

Ready In: 10 min.

The Middle East: emigration, moving and living abroad per country

The Middle East: emigration, moving and living abroad per country

Questions and answers per country about emigration, moving and living abroad in The Middle East

Why live in Saudi Arabia, why emigrate to Saudi Arabia or stay for a long time?

Why live in Saudi Arabia, why emigrate to Saudi Arabia or stay for a long time?

Why should you live in Saudi Arabia as an expat, emigrant or working nomad?

  • Because there is a large expat community and you can live cozily together in expat communities.
  • Because the salaries are high. 
  • Because there are many opportunities for professional growth. 
  • Because the infrastructure is good and the facilities are modern. 
  • Because you can enjoy a high standard of living. 
  • Because you can gain networking skills in an expat community. 
  • Because you can brush up on your Arabic.
  • Because you can learn a lot about honor, family ties and a religious society. 

What should you pay attention to?

  • That it takes considerable cultural adjustment if you want to blend in with the locals. 
  • That there is a conservative culture. 
  • That there are many religious rules. 
  • That, especially in the summer, it is very hot. 
  • That as a woman it is a little more difficult to integrate than as a man. 
 
Why live in Oman, why emigrate to Oman or stay for a long time?

Why live in Oman, why emigrate to Oman or stay for a long time?

Why should you live in Oman as an expat, emigrant or working nomad?

  • Because Oman is a beautiful country with lots of beautiful nature from coast to mountains and deserts to oases. 
  • Because the people are friendly and open to foreigners.
  • Because it is a safe, stable country.
  • Because there is a large expat community of many different nationalities. 
  • Because there are favorable tax benefits and it is cheaper than other Gulf countries. 
  • Because you can learn a lot about tolerance toward and coexistence with different religions and cultures. 
  • Because you can experience genuine helpfulness and kindness. 

What should you pay attention to?

  • That it is very hot.
  • That it is not a pedestrian or cyclist friendly country.
  • That the traffic can be hectic. 
  • That despite being one of the more liberal countries in the region, it is still a conservative country. 
Why live in Qatar why emigrate to Qatar or stay for a long time?

Why live in Qatar why emigrate to Qatar or stay for a long time?

Why should you live in Qatar as an expat, emigrant or working nomad?

  • Because there are many other expats and many expat activities are organized. 
  • Because you broaden your horizons by learning about totally different customs and rules. 
  • Because people speak English well and you don't have to know Arabic. 
  • Because it is an incredibly safe country (apart from the strict laws). 
  • Because the facilities are unparalleled.
  • Because, despite being in the desert, you can discover an awful lot of culture such as art, museums, movies, operas, etc. 
  • Because you can learn about a political system without political parties. 
  • Because there is no income tax. 

What should you pay attention to?

  • That there are strict rules and punishments, for example for homosexuality. 
  • That traffic can be quite chaotic. 
  • That you read up on cultural norms and behavior. Some rules can be surprising. 
  • That life can be relatively expensive, but at the same time you keep more salary because there is no income tax. 
  • That summers are extremely hot. 
The Middle East Country Bundle:

The Middle East Country Bundle:

Suggestions, stories and tips about The Middle East on WorldSupporter

Middle East: Updates & Travel

Middle East: Updates & Travel

Travel in the Middle East?

  • The Middle East has much more to offer than sand and with a few exceptions, the Arab countries in the triangle between Africa, Asia and Europe are definitely worth a visit!
  • Just a few hours by plane you will find yourself in a completely different world full of culture, nature and adventure.
  • Countries such as Iran, Egypt, Yemen, Oman and Jordan offer a wealth of living history.
  • The Gulf States such as Bahrain and the UAE (United Arab Emirates) hide the desert, camels and Bedouins a bit more behind shiny buildings, shopping malls, nice beaches and luxury hotels in the most fantastic appearances but are also certainly a special experience.
  • Let yourself be welcomed with tea by a family, or enjoy the delicious mezze (various snacks) before diving into the nightlife of Lebanon. In Lebanon you can even ski in the mountains and sunbathe on the beach in one day!

Updates Middle East

  • More about Middle East, updates and contributions, see the link below.
Recipes from The Middle East or with a Arabic twist by WorldSupporters - Bundle
The Middle East: selection of contributions by WorldSupporters - Bundle

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When traveling is your hobby and want to keep your personal stuff safe in the airplane, train, bus, boat or when u sleep in a hostel. Use a travelsafe! Find out what kind of travelsafe is usefull for you, click here!  

Recipe: Home made Hummus

Boil chick peas or open a can. Let it cool down or take the liquid out. Add garlic (I like more than the "normal" recipe) so put as much as you like. Add olive oil, otherwise it wont blend, make it like a paste. In the Philippines it is very expensive to buy Tahini, so just put sesame seeds (also a...

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From language courses to gap year abroad, from work experience to volunteering abroad, from paid work to internship abroad, from mountaineering to diving and from backpacking to travel around the world

    What social activities can you do abroad?

    • Opportunities are found in the areas of helping, learning or studying. You can get involved to volunteer in a social project at a school in Africa, Asia or Latin America. You can get involved in nature, in a project with animals or cleaning the sea or beaches. Those who want to learn more can choose for example a language course in Latin America, Spain or South Africa.

    What work related activities can you do abroad?

    • If you want to gain work experience, and/or also earn money, go and work abroad. You can combine backpacking in Australia with temporary work. You can work on campsites in Europe or bush camps in Africa. You can pretty much go all over the world to work in the hospitality industry, hotels and hostels, in the healthcare sector or for example at a diving school.

    What sports activities to do abroad?

    • Have you ever thought of mountain biking, rafting (going down a wild river on a raft or rubber dinghy, climbing or canoeing), survival (which involves building rafts, climbing or canoeing), abseiling (descending a rock face while secured to ropes), zip-lining (whizzing down a cable), canyoning (starting at the top of a river and then climbing, swimming, diving down the bed) or caving (scrambling, wriggling and crawling through caves and crevices)?
    • Maybe you feel more comfortable on a bodyboard (on a half-wave surfboard, you surf the high waves lying down-with flippers), on a hang glider or while paragliding (with a parachute you float down a mountain or dune), hydrospeeding (on a bodyboard with flippers and a wetsuit on you go down a wild river via rapids) or Tiefschneeskiing (racing down through powder snow)?

    Check the pages below for more activities and inspiration and where to go and how to arrange it

      Activities Abroad: for work and intern abroad

      Activities Abroad: for work and intern abroad

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      1. What are the issues to bear in mind when emigrating?

      • Keep track of the emigration process; for example write down what to do and what you are going through in an emigration diary.
      • Make use of the media and guidebooks when researching possible destinations.
      • Get an i...

      Why live in Oman, why emigrate to Oman or stay for a long time?

      Why should you live in Oman as an expat, emigrant or working nomad?

      • Because Oman is a beautiful country with lots of beautiful nature from coast to mountains and deserts to oases. 
      • Because the people are friendly and open to foreigners.
      • Because it is a safe, stable co...

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      1. What are the issues to bear in mind when emigrating?

      • Keep track of the emigration process; for example write down what to do and what you are going through in an emigration diary.
      • Make use of the media and guidebooks when researching possible destinations.
      • Get an i...

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      1. What are the issues to bear in mind when emigrating?

      • Keep track of the emigration process; for example write down what to do and what you are going through in an emigration diary.
      • Make use of the media and guidebooks when researching possible destinations.
      • Get an i...

      Stories, tips and experiences from specific countries in The Middle East
      Abu Dhabi, Dubai & United Arab Emirates - Bahrain - Egypt - Iran - Iraq - Israel - Jordan - Kuwait - Lebanon - Oman - Qatar - Saudi Arabia - Syria - Turkey - United Arab Emirates - Yemen

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      Best travel time for weather, climate and activities abroad, and the worst time to go!
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