Out and about is a column where we talk to people who currently live abroad, or who have previously lived and worked there. This week we chat to Milla Jooste who live in Dubai.

Hello Milla, it is lovely to talk to you! From where in South Africa are you originally and why did you decide to emigrate to Dubai?

I am originally from Pretoria, the beautiful Jacaranda City. In 2024 I was in my final year as teaching student at Tukkies. I always knew I wanted to travel, but it was only when I met a friend who had moved to the Netherlands to work there, that I started to seriously consider the possibility.

Not long after that, my dad told me about the Emirates ads that he was seeing everywhere. At first, I thought it wasn’t for me – I couldn’t imagine myself as a flight attendant. But the idea stuck, and I finally decided to just apply. I had nothing to lose. To my surprise, I was quickly invited for an interview and before I knew it, I was packing my things and heading to Dubai. Seeing that all Emirates’ flights and the head office are based here, it was the logical move.

Was it difficult to adapt there or did you easily make new friends and integrate into the community?

I was lucky to not arrive completely alone. A friend from primary school, who also flies for Emirates, was already here, and through my father’s friend I met a wonderful family who invited me to the Afrikaans church in Dubai. That invitation changed everything. At church I met a group of young Afrikaners who immediately felt like family.

If it weren’t for that community, I would have felt very alone. The sisterhood during the Emirates training also helped, of course, but there is an indescribable comfort in laughing and sharing stories in your own language. It’s something you only really appreciate when you don’t hear it every day.

Adjusting to a new country can be challenging. What was the strangest thing for you to get used to?

I remember how overwhelming the first few months. You always think the big things are going to be the hardest – such as the heat and other culture – but it is in fact the ordinary things that are the biggest challenge. Figuring out where to shop, which taxis are reliable, and how to make new friends. Even something as small as not being able to just call on WhatsApp, but having to type instead, was an adjustment

Over time I realised how incredibly adaptable a person is. Today, I look back and realise that within months I became accustomed to things that initially felt strange.

Tell us a little bit more about your job. What does a typical day look like?

As a flight attendant for Emirates, there is no such thing as a typical day. We receive our schedule every month, and it is always a moment of great excitement when you open it and see where you are going next. Sometimes it is hard because you have to plan your life around flights and time zones – your sleep, your meals, even what you wear. But it also makes the job incredibly interesting.

I have seen places that I could only dream of. This job has given me the opportunity to truly travel the world and it is a privilege for which I am deeply grateful.

What do you miss the most about South Africa?

I miss the streets of Pretoria, covered with trees. In October, my birthday month, the Jacarandas are incredibly beautiful. It is something small to me, but makes my heart beat faster when I see it – whether during my travels, or when I come home to visit. Dubai is a desert city, and the green natural beauty of South Africa is rare here. It makes you realise how precious even something as mundane as trees in your street is.

What do you do when you miss South Africa and your people?

The Afrikaans church community plays a big role. There is nothing like having a braai together on a Saturday, watching rugby and being able to chat in Afrikaans. When I don’t have time to go there, I keep in touch with my friends and family through regular cellphone calls. I listen to Afrikaans music and even started reading my Bible again in Afrikaans, even though I usually read in English. It has given me a new appreciation for my language and for the people of my country.  

What surprised or impressed you about Dubai’s lifestyle or culture?

The city really comes to life when the sun goes down. The streets, restaurants and shops stay open until the early hours of the morning. I love that I can go for a walk at night and still feel like I’m in a lively, safe environment. Safety is something I really value here – I really feel protected, even when I’m walking alone.  

Was Dubai’s climate a big adjustment?  

Definitely! I always thought we South Africans understood heat, but the first time I stepped out here in summer, I was sweating from the car to the front door. From September it becomes manageable, and you can enjoy the outdoors again, but from May to August everyone keeps their activities indoors. It is a different rhythm of life, and I had to learn to move with it.

What do you do for relaxation?

I am quite a foody and Dubai is a paradise for someone who likes food. Being a city where people from across the world come together, you get restaurants from almost every country imaginable. My friends and I often try out new places, and it is aways an adventure. One of my favourite experiences was when we stumbled upon an Iranian restaurant by the river. The atmosphere was so inviting that we decided to stay – and it turned out to be one of the most delicious meals I’ve had so far.

What lessons have you learned since moving?  

I have learned that culture is woven much deeper into a person than you ever realise. You think it is only language or customs, but it forms part of your identity. I also learned that true happiness comes from within and from God – no new place or person can guarantee that.

About adaptation, I have seen that some people adapt easier and faster than others. But it always starts with your own will to be open for change. And about my environment, I learned that curiosity rewards you – if you ask questions and are open to other cultures, you discover an incredible amount.

Are there South African shops or products available near you?

To my surprise, yes. There is even a shop, Lekker Hyperama, that only sells South African products. The first time I walked in there and saw Oros, I had tears in my eyes. It is amazing how a little taste of home can touch your heart.

There is also a large Afrikaans education community here, and within Emirates itself there are many South African flight attendants and pilots. It gives you a feeling of homecoming in a foreign country.

I you had to give this emigration chapter a title, what would it be and why?

I will call it “Rewriting”. This time has taught me the most about gratitude. I see everything that was once taken for granted in a new light. Every day is a reminder to be thankful – for opportunities, for safety, for friendship and for the chance to travel the world.

Is there anything you wish you had known before you left or advice for others considering the same path?

I wish I had known how quickly one can adapt, and that you need to trust yourself more. Emigration is not only a geographical move, it is a spiritual and emotional rewriting of your life. My advice to others: be curious, build your community, keep your roots in your language and your faith – and live with gratitude. The you will not only survive this chapter but truly enjoy it.

Milla’s story shows that life abroad is full of adjustments – from heat waves to strange food and new people – but that it also teaches you to appreciate your identity, language and faith anew. Emigration is a chance to rewrite your own chapter.

Also read: Out and about: an email from Tavira, Portugal – AfriForum Wêreldwyd