Pop Abroad

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Pop Abroad

A podcast highlighting the journey of how expats made the move to the United Arab Emirates.

18/01/2026

Another year summary done ☑️

💵 Spent less out of pocket this year to travel compared to 2024

✈️ Flew less business class flights but the two we did fly were definitely a highlight. Etihad’s A350 was amazing, def preferred to the 787. Sliding door, pajamas, food and amenity kit. Service can be a miss on Etihad but they were lovely this trip. Air France was the old metal but still a nice flight, the lounge at CDG was wonderful and the food and drink onboard was fab.

🏨 As for the hotels, both the and Belgrade were newer hotels so the rooms were shiny and new. Well-sized, a moderate upgrade at each hotel brand because of my Diamond and Platinum status. The breakfast buffet and executive lounge at Hilton Saigon were impressive. The St. Regis Belgrade was right on the water and walking distance to a lovely neighborhood and mall. The heated pool was also a highlight.

💳 The miles we accumulated through Etihad cards that we have since we live in the UAE, all of the banks here have Etihad credit cards. We also booked the Air France flight with our Etihad miles. For the hotels - we used accumulated points from Marriott, Hilton hotel stays plus a few free night certificates from credit cards too.

🧳 It was an amazing year of travels and also visiting family and friends around the world.

This year should be another good one!

19/01/2025

Another year summary done ☑️

💵 Spent around the same out of pocket this year to travel compared to 2023

✈️ The business class flights were definitely a highlight. Etihad has a great product but the service on was next level. Iberia and Aer Lingus were also pretty great but I’m hoping to try a few other airlines business class this year.

🏨 As for the hotels, the W Budapest was my fave, the room was sultry and sophisticated. Layout was very different too. The view of the Opera house was beautiful and the welcome champagne on arrival was a nice touch. Saboaria, under the Hyatt Mr & Mrs Smith collection was beautiful too. A close second.

💳 The miles we accumulated through a few co-branded Etihad cards that we have since we live in the UAE, all of the banks here have Etihad and Emirates credit cards. For the hotels - we used accumulated points from Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt hotel stays plus a few free night certificates from credit cards too.

🧳 It was an amazing year of city travels and also visiting family and friends around the world.

Looking forward to 2025! 🎉

12/01/2024

Since 2010, I’ve been living abroad and this is the first time I’ve ever looked back at my numbers ($USD) in detail.

👩‍🏫 Just goes to show you that teachers can travel and can travel well!

I only spent around 11K but had I paid out of pocket, would have been close to 36K which is a lot!

🇺🇸 Thanks to mostly US-based credit cards, I’ve been able to maximize my travel and stay at luxury hotels and fly business class by utilizing points and miles.

👉If you’re curious how it’s done, message me and I can support your journey into points and miles. It’s been super fun!

😐 It’s complicated and confusing at times, and I’ve made tons of mistakes but it’s been worthwhile, esp looking back at the numbers and seeing how crazy expensive those business class flights and luxury hotels would’ve been.

Thanks to , and other travel bloggers for paving the way for people of color and minorities to understand our finances and take advantage of the US financial system.

I’m looking forward to more amazing travel this year and will definitely be keeping track of it all again!

08/05/2023

Have you thought about purchasing an apartment abroad? How about in Dubai? Teacher Tom Streppel shares his story of how he made the move from China, Malaysia to Dubai and how he saved his hard earned cash to purchase an apartment. We also chat communities and how living in Dubai is. Listen to the full episode wherever you listen to podcasts. Link in bio for links to Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

26/04/2023

Tom Streppel, a teacher originally from the Netherlands has lived in Spain, China, Malaysia and now Dubai where he has purchased his first piece of property.

On this episode we chat:

-Working in China compared to the UAE

-Getting paid in Euro and local currency

-How and why to buy an apartment in Dubai (deposit, location and contracts)

-Making friends and finding your social circle in Dubai

-Clothing and dressing modestly in the UAE and Middle East

-Weather in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Have a listen!

https://bit.ly/PopAbroadApplePodcasts

https://bit.ly/PopAbroadSpotify

17/04/2023

Share with all your nursing friends that are considering taking a job in the On this episode of the podcast with a cardio thoracic nurse in Abu Dhabi, we chat recruiters, salaries, accommodation, finding friends and much more. Here are a few recruitment agencies that can help you find a position in healthcare in or
It is still important to do your due diligence esp if you’re new to being a or a hindsight is 20/20, working abroad is a different experience and every country, city and hospital is unique. Listen to the full episode with Elizabeth Craig to hear more about Lizzie’s journey on how she popped abroad to Abu Dhabi from the UK and working as an

14/04/2023

Welcome to Pop Abroad. A podcast highlighting the lives of people from different industries and backgrounding about how and why they decided to make the move to the United Arab Emirates.

06/03/2023

Have you thought what working in luxury hotels across the world is like? Ellen has worked in London, Beijing, Shanghai and Abu Dhabi and we explore and compare the differences of working in sales & marketing in these cities. From the cost of living to reasons to move on, it’s a great episode!

05/03/2023

An integral part of moving abroad is connecting with friends to make sure you understand cost of living before your move. To ensure you are being paid fairly for your experience but also to make sure you are moving upward in your career. has worked for large luxury hotels in many countries and knows that making connections is key. Listen to the full episode on your fave podcast player to hear more about her experience working in hospitality abroad.

28/02/2023

Curious about the culture in Saudi Arabia? shares his thoughts and more on the most recent episode of the podcast, University English instructor in Saudi Arabia.

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