italians feel at home in the uae
ITALIAN EXPATS LOVE UAE FOR ITS GREAT WEATHER, BEAUTIFUL BEACHES, AND THE PARTY VIBE
Mangia bene, ridi spesso, ama molto — is a popular Italian saying. Translated into English, it means — eat well, laugh often, and love much. These words pretty much sum up the Italian philosophy of living. Khaleej Times recently spent time with Italian expats here. A small community of 10,000, many of them said they were smitten by the charm of the UAE.
italians love the sea and take to the sand during the summer. So, it isn’t a surprise that they flock to the nearest beaches in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and other Emirates whenever they get a chance (and the weather allows). The Italian expats community in the UAE has grown relatively over time. With a little over 10,000 Italians in the country, UAE has the largest Italian community in the MENA region. A majority of them with business interests are based in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
A good meal and spending time with fellow Italians is what keeps them hooked to this foreign land. But, there have been many who instantly fell in for the charm of this glamorous place. Dr. Stefania Franchini came to Abu Dhabi in 1989 for a visit and fell in love with the friendly vibe of the UAE. She chose to continue her law studies in the UAE and has now spent 27 years here and calls it her home. Working as a legal manager in Abu Dhabi, she is in admiration of the peaceful life here. In the past three decades, she has witnessed the sea change the city has undergone. “In the early 90s, things in Abu Dhabi were taking shape. There was only one cinema hall — El Dorado in Electra Street and only a couple of stores, not even malls! Emiratis used to gather with their local and expat friends in their homes and this was the best way to spend free time. I still remember that cheery and tranquil atmosphere. I also witnessed the construction of Reem Island, Yas Island, and Saadiyat Beach. I saw the continuous improvements in the Corniche area and the construction of many high-rise buildings.”
Likewise, Ornella Parigi first came to the UAE in 1994 with her partner, who worked in Abu Dhabi for an oil and construction company. After their relocation to Saudi Arabia and Paris for a brief period of time, they came back to call the Emirates their home. “This is the perfect place to spoil people. Whilst I enjoy the facilities that UAE offers, I keep in mind the fact that I will be returning to my home country and will find it difficult to adjust once am back,” says Ornella. She likes to begin her day with a cup of cappuccino and croissant (real Italian breakfast) at Golositalia, Jumeirah Lake Towers.
UAE is known for its safety and low crime rates and that is what attracts an increasing number of female expats to the country. “I feel safe here. I don’t have the same feeling of security in my own country, which is very sad.” The one thing that keeps Ornella busy is her love for golf and she is happy that the Emirates Golf Federation is doing great work with tournaments for young players. “I like to help young professional players, who need support. When players come to play and need to stay for 3 to 4 weeks and can’t afford hotels, we host them.” Over the years, she has tried to transmit her enthusiasm to other Italians, who have never tried the sport.
The expats enjoy weekend visits to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Emirates Palace or Saadiyat Island, but do miss their homeland. “I miss the historic buildings and museums, the singular coffee shops located in the squares, and the small villages with their folklores. UAE permits all of us to preserve our cultures and maintain our traditions, which is great,” says Stefania.