Ability to work in 3 countries on a convenient schedule

The Backstory of Our Move

Our move to Dubai wasn’t driven by necessity or external pressures; it was more about a desire for something greater. My husband and I are from Saint Petersburg, and while I truly love the city, its long-term prospects didn’t paint a joyful or fulfilling picture for me. I’ve always yearned for more. Fortunately, my husband felt the same way. We traveled extensively and explored various options for living abroad.

I was curious to challenge myself: could I adapt to a new country, live somewhere different, and learn something new? I had no professional struggles in Russia—I was thriving as a plastic surgeon in Saint Petersburg, specializing in aesthetic blepharoplasty and endoscopic facelifts. I always had a steady flow of patients and knew how to manage client demand effectively.

In my career, I had reached a physical limit—performing around 45 surgeries a month, which was the maximum I could handle. At that point, the question “What’s next?” became increasingly relevant, and that’s when the decision to try my hand in another country took shape.

Preparation and Taking the Exam

The preparation process for the exam in Dubai took me about six months. The mentors from “Volna” provided support at every stage, from gathering documents to exam preparation. However, I would recommend that colleagues prepare for such exams in their home country while continuing to work. This approach helps avoid unnecessary anxiety and stress. In Dubai, alongside exam preparation, you also have to deal with everyday challenges like finding housing, adapting your family, and managing your budget.

There were also challenges with Russian institutions—delayed responses to requests and bureaucracy. Without Volna’s support, I don’t think I could have managed. Their mentor guided me through every step, which really helped me navigate the entire process without unnecessary hassle.

Moving with Family

We relocated to Dubai as a family, which brought its own set of challenges. One of the key considerations was choosing the right education system for our son—we spent a lot of time deciding on the best kindergarten for him. Eventually, we found one with a program where half the day is conducted in English and the other half in Russian. It was important to me that our child maintained his native language, especially given the experiences of friends whose children returned to Russia and struggled to adapt to the local school curriculum.

On a practical level, there were also difficulties—we were unfamiliar with which neighborhoods were best to live in, how to arrange housing rentals, and where schools were conveniently located.

The Outcome

I successfully obtained my license in Dubai and started working at a clinic. For now, I have only a few patients, but that’s a typical situation for a doctor in a new country. My main focus is on building a client base—a process I’m already familiar with. When I moved from Western Siberia to Saint Petersburg, I also started from scratch.

Here, however, I’ve found myself working in cosmetology, whereas in Russia, I was a plastic surgeon. It’s a step down in terms of specialization, but the quality of life in Dubai is significantly higher, and I’m willing to be patient until I can return to practicing my primary profession.

A Day in the Life of a Doctor in Dubai

Our day starts early. My husband and I take turns dropping our son off at kindergarten, and then my workday begins. If I have appointments at the clinic, I head there; if not, I focus on creating content for my online school or working with students. This might take place at the clinic or in a coworking space, where I can work quietly on my laptop.

At 5 p.m., we pick up our son and spend time together as a family—dinner, a walk, or a trip to the beach. Sometimes we go to the pool or engage in sports activities. Overall, I really enjoy this rhythm of life—it’s balanced and allows me to integrate work with my personal life seamlessly.

New Goals

My primary goal now is to return to practicing plastic surgery in Dubai. This will take some time—around three years to obtain the necessary license—but I’m ready to take action and work towards making it happen.

In the meantime, I’m focusing on growing my online school for medical professionals and leading educational courses. This is also a significant part of my professional life, and I plan to continue developing this area alongside my other pursuits.