ESSEC Alumni in the United Arab Emirates: “There’s More to This Region Than Bling”

The United Arab Emirates is home to more than 180 alumni, and the numbers are rising. Gurwan Le Gac (EXEC MBA 12), President of the ESSEC Alumni  United Arab Emirates Chapter gives us more insight on the life of the local community and the services it offers.

ESSEC Alumni: What are the profiles of alumni in the UAE?

G. Le Gac: Most alumni work in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, mainly in hospitality, consulting, finance, luxury, retail and entrepreneurship. All levels of experience are represented here, from fresh graduates to executive managers. It must be pointed out, however, that companies hiring foreign interns must pay for the same visa as is required for every employee. This means that applicants have to work twice as hard to convince recruiters...

EA: What is the current health situation in the Emirates?

G. Le Gac: Practically all of the population is vaccinated, and anyone entering the UAE must produce a PCR test carried out less than 72 hours before travel. That said, like everywhere else in the world, the epidemic is not totally under control, there are still more than 2,400 new cases per day. However, the government is doing all it can to maintain normal activity. Shops, restaurants, cinemas and other cultural venues were shut only once, for 25 days, and businesses rapidly adapted to teleworking, so there’s been only a limited impact on economic activity.

EA: In this context, what opportunities are open to alumni in the Emirates?

G. Le Gac: Most of the sectors generally targeted by alumni are recruiting, but be aware that salaries have dropped while the cost of living remains relatively high. Don’t hesitate to contact a graduate already working in the UAE to get a clearer idea of the labour market in your business sector. You can contact them via our LinkedIn group.

EA: What aspects of the UAE are particularly appealing for expatriates? 

G. Le Gac: Dubai has a reputation for being “bling”, and sports cars are a common sight, but the region has so much more to offer. Thanks to its location at the crossroads of Arab, European and Asian civilisations, it is home to a highly-inspiring and enriching cultural diversity.

EA: What advice do you have for alumni looking to locate to the Emirates?

G. Le Gac: First of all, contact the United Arab Emirates Chapter via our page on the ESSEC Alumni website. We’ll be happy to offer you help, advice and information on the company you’re hoping to join. Secondly, it’s important to know that the Emirates have largely liberalised their labour market; I’d advise you to wait until you’ve validated your 6-month trial period before bringing your family out to join you. Thirdly, the very high cost of living needs to be taken into account, and that includes food prices, school fees and accommodation. Rental charges have risen by 10 to 12% in the last six months, a sticking point given that salaries have decreased at the same time.

EA: What’s on the programme of the ESSEC Alumni United Arab Emirates Chapter ?

G. Le Gac: We’ve managed to maintain all our physical events. Upcoming events include an ESSEC - HEC football match, a get-together, the Ramadan dinner, and a meeting with 80 ESSEC students on a study trip. We also provide career services, such as the local ESSEC+ group, coaching with Xavier Halbi (IMHI 04), job-seeking support with Lamia Berrahma (E12) and a partnership with a HR recruitment agency, etc., in addition to our themed WhatsApp groups around businesses or finance and so on.

Don’t hesitate to contact the team of the United Arab Emirates Chapter:

- Events: Gurwan Le Gac (EXEC MBA 12) - gurwan_legac@hotmail.com

- Coaching: Xavier Halbi (IMHI 04) - xavierhalbi@gmail.com

- Career: Lamia Berrahma (E12) - lamia.berrahma@gmail.com

Interview by Veary Ngy, International Community Manager at ESSEC Alumni, and Louis Armengaud Wurmser (E10), Content Manager at ESSEC Alumni.

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