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Hello! My name is Claire, I come from Busan in Korea. As well as being well-known for its beautiful beaches, it is the biggest port in Korea and holds the Busan International Film Festival every year. Busan is the second largest city after Seoul.
After I graduated university in Korea, I became an executive assistant to the CEO of a steel company. My role was very similar to Anne Hathaway’s in the movie “The Devil Wears Prada”. Now I look back at that time was the most valuable time for me to learn skills such as coolness and calmness under pressure, time managements and communication skills.
After 3 years I resigned from my job and decided to find myself. At that time, I read an article by chance that said, “The best city to live in the world is Vancouver”. So, I booked my ticket and packed my bags. In Canada, I obtained a TESOL Diploma and English language teaching qualifications which help me a lot now to improve my skills working in the EAL field. After returning, I taught English in a public primary school.
In my free time, I love to go to a hotel with my family (of course it’s my husband’s duty to look after the kids!) and lie down on a sunbed watching my husband and kids playing. I am really keen on traveling so if I had the chance to travel with some friends that I have met in Abu Dhabi, I am really willing to go on a “girls trip”.
My husband is an engineer at a nuclear power plant, a project between the UAE and Korean government. We have been living in Abu Dhabi for three years now. For the first two years, I was a stay-at home mum and last year I joined BIS Abu Dhabi as a teaching assistant in the EAL department. I am happy to work with good colleagues in our team.
I was really touched by Áine’s newsletter piece last week, posing the question: ‘What would I tell my younger self?’
I spent some time afterwards thinking about my own parenting journey, and what it’s all been about, now that my two are adults and have ‘flown the nest’. Parenting isn’t easy for any of us, and that’s true even if you’re an experienced school leader – at home, I’m just Dad.
You might have seen the trend going around - “If I could tell my younger self one thing…” - a moment to reflect, to offer advice we wish we’d heard earlier, or to remind ourselves of what truly matters.
As students prepare to cross some of the biggest milestones in school life, it feels like the perfect time to pause and join in that conversation. But it’s not just our students who are preparing — so are we, as parents. These milestones don’t just belong to them. We’re living every part of it too: the anticipation, the pride, the nerves, and the quiet hopes. Sometimes, it’s the hardest thing in the world — to watch them take these big steps, to stay strong when they wobble, to let go just a little more. It’s a milestone for us as much as it is for them — and we’re walking it together.
Finding the right school for your child is a big decision. Whether you’re new to Abu Dhabi, transitioning from another school, or simply looking for the best fit, we know it can feel overwhelming. At The British International School (BIS) Abu Dhabi, we’re here to make that journey as smooth and reassuring as possible. From your very first enquiry to your child’s first day (and beyond), we’ll be with you every step of the way. This article tackles the key concerns families face when transitioning to a new school, offering clear insights into our admissions process to ensure a smooth and informed journey.
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