Having fun in the sun

The weather couldn't be sunnier for UK expats in the UAE, used to perennial rainfall back home.

Sue Page, Schools and family programmes manager, Sharjah Museums Department
I moved to the UAE in March 2007, and live in Sharjah. My husband, who is a civil engineer, moved here from the UK with Halcrow. I come from a village in Worcestershire called Tibberton. I work as a schools and family programmes manager for the Sharjah Museums Department. The weather is good here, but I do miss family. The most memorable experience here was attending a local lady's wedding. The colours, sounds, smells and customs were simply stunning.

Madeleine Malone, Personal assistant
Having only arrived a month ago, I'm new to Dubai. I live in Bur Dubai and work in the legal sector. I decided to move here because there are better professional opportunities for me. The lifestyle also suits me better. The best part of living here is the international mix of people and the worst part is the dreaded Dubai traffic. My favourite UAE hangout is the beach. I also love the Irish Village because every weekend it's like being in the UK on a summer bank holiday.

Mike Tong, Consulting engineer
I'm from Hampshire, and have been living in Dubai for the past 14 months. I moved here because the opportunity arose to work in the UAE and I'd been desperate to work abroad for some time. I work as a consulting engineer. There are advantages to living here, those being Chin Chin, all you can eat and drink brunches, camping, dune bashing, the sun and our apartment, with its rooftop pool and bowling alley. The worst is not having enough time to enjoy all this.

Natalie Crowston, History and English teacher
I moved to Dubai from Edinburgh in Scotland one and a half years ago. I wanted a better quality of life and a change of scenery and thought it looked like a chilled out place to be. I'm working as a history and english teacher. The best part of living in Dubai is the winter and ladies nights. The worst part would have to be the banks and the traffic. My most memorable experience since living here would have to be the Rugby 7's.

Catherine Herkes, Fashion designer
I am from Lincoln in England and moved to the UAE just over a year ago. I am currently living in Dubai. I graduated in the UK late 2007 and then found employment here as a fashion designer for Splash. The best part of life here are the amazing beaches – the worst part are some of the strict laws. My favourite past-time is to hang out at the beach and soaking up the rays. What's memorable is the people I have met, and the friends that I have made.