Teaching Abroad Direct | 18th March 2026
Teaching Abroad Direct spoke to a British teacher currently working at an international school in Dubai about what life is like in the UAE during the ongoing Iran conflict.
Dubai has long been considered one of the safest and most attractive destinations for British teachers working abroad. With tax-free salaries, modern international schools and a vibrant expat lifestyle, thousands of UK educators relocate to the city every year.
However, recent regional tensions involving Iran have created an unfamiliar situation for many teachers currently living and working in the emirate.
To understand what daily life is really like, Teaching Abroad Direct spoke with “Sarah”, 27, a teacher at a British International School in Dubai, about her experience of continuing to work during a period of geopolitical uncertainty.
While many aspects of life in Dubai remain largely unchanged, schools and teachers are now navigating a period of unpredictability.
What Teachers in Dubai Are Experiencing
According to Sarah, recent weeks have brought several unusual developments for teachers working in Dubai:
Schools Closed as Teaching Moves Online
For Sarah and many other teachers across the city, the most immediate change has been the closure of school campuses.
Lessons are currently being delivered remotely while authorities monitor the situation.
“We’re teaching fully online at the moment because the school building is closed,” Sarah explained.
Teachers have had to quickly adapt their lessons to online platforms, supporting students who are now learning from home.
For many educators who moved abroad to experience international school life, returning to remote teaching has been an unexpected development.
Missile Alerts Now Part of Daily Life
Outside of teaching, Sarah says life in Dubai remains around 90% normal, but missile warning alerts have become a regular part of daily life.
“The warnings are really loud and can wake you up in the middle of the night,” she said.
A few weeks ago, alerts were far more frequent.
“At one point we were getting seven or eight alerts a day. Now it’s more like one or two, so it has improved.”
Even when missiles are intercepted, the sound can still be felt across parts of the city.
Sarah says the explosions from interceptions have been loud enough to shake her accommodation building, often frightening her dog.
Despite the alerts, she believes the UAE authorities are taking strong measures to ensure the safety of residents.
“The government are clearly doing everything they can to look after people here.”
Teachers Resigning and Returning to the UK
One of the most noticeable impacts has been within international school staffrooms.
According to Sarah, several colleagues have already resigned and are planning to return to the UK as soon as possible.
Dubai has historically been seen as an extremely safe destination for expatriates, but the current situation has made some teachers reconsider their long-term plans.
When asked whether teachers might withdraw their resignations if tensions ease, Sarah was unsure.
“I don’t think so at this stage, although it’s hard to answer that while the conflict is still ongoing.”
Schools Facing Uncertainty for September
Another major concern for international schools in Dubai is future student enrolment.
Many expatriate families are currently deciding whether to remain in the region or temporarily relocate.
This means schools currently have very little visibility over what their student numbers will look like for the next academic year.
As a result, leadership teams face difficult planning decisions.
If student numbers fall, schools may need fewer teachers. If families remain, schools may need to quickly recruit replacements for staff who have already resigned.
For now, many schools are simply waiting to see how the situation develops.
Life Outside School Continues as Normal
Despite the unusual circumstances, Sarah says most teachers are still trying to maintain their routines.
Dubai’s restaurants, shopping malls, gyms and bars remain open, and the city continues to operate largely as it normally would.
Outside of work, Sarah still spends time socialising with colleagues and enjoying the lifestyle that attracts many teachers to the UAE.
“I still go to the gym, shopping malls and meet colleagues for drinks or dinner. We’re trying to keep life as normal as possible.”
Recruitment Concerns for International Schools
Teaching Abroad Direct says the situation could create recruitment challenges for international schools in Dubai ahead of the next academic year.
With some teachers already resigning and uncertainty over how many expatriate families will remain in the UAE, schools may struggle to accurately predict their staffing needs for September.
A spokesman from Teaching Abroad Direct said:
“Dubai has always been one of the most popular destinations for British teachers working abroad. What we’re hearing from teachers currently in the UAE is that daily life remains largely normal, but the missile alerts and uncertainty are understandably making some teachers reconsider their plans. If large numbers of teachers decide to leave early, schools may need to recruit internationally at short notice ahead of the next academic year."
The Reality of Teaching Abroad
Teaching internationally can be an incredibly rewarding experience, offering teachers opportunities to travel, develop their careers and experience new cultures.
Dubai remains one of the most popular destinations for British teachers looking to work overseas.
However, Sarah’s experience highlights that global events can sometimes affect life abroad in unexpected ways.
For now, teachers across the UAE are focusing on supporting their students, adapting to remote teaching and waiting to see how the situation develops.
As Sarah puts it:
“Most things still feel normal day to day — but the alerts definitely remind you that something bigger is going on.”
Considering Teaching Abroad?
If you're interested in teaching abroad, Teaching Abroad Direct helps UK teachers secure positions in international schools around the world.
Visit www.teachingabroaddirect.co.uk to learn more about teaching opportunities overseas and for teaching jobs in Dubai
Media Enquiries
Teaching Abroad Direct regularly speaks with British teachers currently working overseas.
Journalists interested in speaking with teachers currently working in Dubai can contact us via [email protected]
