Happiness is not proportional to the number in the bank account

Introduce yourself in a few sentences. What does your work as daily commitments consist of?

Hello! My name is Gyulay Baadi, I am 38 years old and a mother of two boys. I have over 12 years of experience in the field of software testing. I currently work as a QA engineer in an international technology company. My main tasks include designing and executing test scenarios, identifying and analyzing defects to track the quality of software, both during and after its implementation at the client. I work closely with both the end user and various teams in the organization I work for.

In which country and city do you currently live and how did you end up there?

I currently live in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. I moved here 8 years ago after receiving a job offer, which I then saw as a great opportunity, both for professional and personal development. I mainly work in the client's office, which allows me to develop not only my technical skills but also so-called “soft” skills, especially in the area of communication.

What were the biggest challenges you faced at the beginning of your stay?

At the beginning, the biggest difficulties were mainly related to the climate. The heat for most of the year (especially June – September) makes it almost impossible to walk. Additionally, here a person is completely dependent on their car, as the infrastructure is not built for pedestrians due to the hot climate and long distances.  Another challenge was the early start of the day. Here, waking up at 6:00 AM and going to the office between 7-8 AM is completely normal, while the working day in most IT companies in Bulgaria starts around 10:00 AM.

How did you overcome the language barrier (if there was one)?

Fortunately, I did not have a language barrier, as English is the main language for communication here – both professionally and in everyday life. Of course, over time I managed to improve my skills by understanding all its dialectal forms.

What resources or networks (local communities, colleagues, organizations) helped you adapt?

My adaptation was relatively easy thanks to our kum, who had moved to live in Abu Dhabi 2 years before us. From day one, we were already part of his friendly community. Later, I expanded my circle of friends with colleagues, foreigners from different groups, and of course Bulgarians, who are becoming more and more in recent years.

What are the main differences between the work culture in your current country and that in Bulgaria?

The differences are noticeable and affect many aspects – from the way of communication to attitudes. For example, communication in the work environment in the UAE is much more diplomatic and indirect. The environment is extremely culturally diverse – people from Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, North and South America, Australia, and  New Zealand create a need for high cultural sensitivity, delicacy, and diplomacy. In the UAE, the hierarchy is strongly expressed. Decisions are often made top-down, and initiative from lower levels is not always encouraged. Another main difference is the existence of a visa regime, meaning that life and work are completely tied to a visa. In the UAE  the pay is high, but in return, there is no pension insurance. Working hours and pace vary according to the position, the company's activity, etc. In my case, I have a great balance between work and personal life. I work from 8:00 to 15:00, and on Fridays until 12:00.

What values and practices in the workplace impressed you the most?

I was very impressed by the respect for differences – religion, nationality, culture. There is a built habit of tolerance and acceptance – towards cultures, religions, clothing, accents, customs, and beliefs. This teaches you to be respectful, tolerant, and accepting of differences.

Have there been situations where cultural differences have challenged you?

Of course! Even after 8 wonderful years here, I still sometimes experience difficulties.

One of the noticeable cultural differences is the concept of understanding time and punctuality – for some cultures, a 20-30 minute delay for a meeting is completely normal, which at first frustrated me because punctuality is important to me. But over time, I started adapting and changing my approach. Another example was when during the month of Ramadan, as a sign of respect for those fasting, we must consume food and drinks only in the kitchen behind closed doors.

How does finding work differ in your current country compared to your homeland?

The process of finding a job in the UAE is long and a much more formal process. Searching for a new job can take a year, even two. Most positions are open to people from all over the world, which means you have to stand out among candidates with very different experiences and backgrounds. Thousands of applications are received for one open position, making it quite difficult to review them, even with the presence of automated systems (ATS). For your resume to be seen in the UAE, it entirely relies on personal contacts or recommendations. Another important factor  is that here the employer takes responsibility for sponsoring your visa – which means that you not only have to be a good candidate, but also be 'valuable' enough to justify the administrative efforts and costs of hiring.

Did you have to go through any additional qualification courses?

Yes, internal company trainings that helped me adapt to the new technologies and standards in the company. Regarding certification courses, there were no specific requirements. The certificates I have obtained over the years were entirely my own initiative.

Have you faced prejudices or obstacles because of your foreign origin?

No, I personally never! Here, foreigners make up over 85-90%, which somewhat reduces the risk of overt prejudices. The UAE promotes tolerance and intercultural understanding, there is even a Ministry of Tolerance. Racism in this aggressive or overt way that we know does not exist here.

What would you advise people who want to take a similar step?

I would advise them to thoroughly research the place, culture, and living conditions. Not to be afraid of the unknown, but also to be realistic. Flexibility, patience, and curiosity are key.

If you could go back, would you choose the same path?

Yes, definitely! This was one of the best decisions I have made in the long term. This change  gave me a lot, a tremendous amount – both as a professional and as a person.

What do you miss the most from your homeland in professional and personal terms?

On a personal level, I miss the mountains the most – the opportunity to escape for a day or even for several hours into nature, to recharge with a walk in the forest. In Bulgaria, you have almost unlimited access to greenery, to clean air, to small and quiet places. I miss the street musicians, hand-made and jazz festivals, those small cultural events with soul – in the park, on the corner, in some old hall with history. This sense of authenticity and artistry is not often found in the UAE, where everything is more grandiose but more commercial.

And in professional terms – the more informal work environment, the typical IT office spaces that are created with great attention to comfort and creativity. I also miss the clearer opportunities for vertical growth – in Bulgaria, there are more natural paths to leadership roles, while in the UAE, progress often depends on more complex factors.

And although there are many advantages here as well, one cannot help but sometimes dream of a nice homegrown tomato, of summer in the Rhodopes, and of a Friday evening with live jazz in some Sofia bar.

Have you considered returning and under what conditions would you do it?

When I moved to Abu Dhabi, the plan was very clear – two years until my visa expires, and then back. But life has a habit of not adhering to plans – I am now in my eighth year here, the visa is being renewed, the children are growing, and I seem to have put down roots, even if in foreign soil.

I have not seriously thought about returning, mainly because I am currently at a stage in my life where I do not think only of myself. I have two wonderful boys who have their own friends, access to creative and interactive education, which gives them many opportunities for development. We live in a safe and clean environment, with good infrastructure and stability – things I would not want to take away from them.

Yes, Bulgaria misses me – mainly as a feeling. I miss the seasons, I miss the taste of Bulgarian food, the freedom to get in the car and be in the mountains in an hour, the atmosphere of Sofia streets. But returning means giving up one thing for the sake of another. And sometimes, as a mother, you have to choose your battles. For now, mine is chosen – for the children to have a stable, developing environment.

Of course, I do not rule out the possibility of returning one day – perhaps when the feeling of 'home' weighs more than anything else. But that will only happen if I am sure that I am not exchanging security and perspective for nostalgia.

What do you think about money? What is its influence on your life? What is your advice to people who often ask themselves questions related to money and how sufficient they are?

Money is an instrument – neither good nor bad in itself. They are not an end, but a means – for security, for choice, for peace of mind. Their influence on my life is significant, because they gave me the opportunity to make the change – to move to a foreign country, to provide a stable foundation for my children, to travel, to develop professionally.

Happiness is not proportional to the number in the bank account. Money is earned and spent, what matters is what remains – experiences, relationships, inner peace. If money is at the core of every decision, you start living on external drive, not from within.

To those who often ask themselves questions about money, I would say: ask yourself not only how much is enough, but also what you want them for. If your goal is only accumulation, they will never be enough. If they are for security, freedom, and opportunities – then you will know when it is enough. And one more thing – do not let money define you, nor stop you. They can open