Dubai-bound: A short visual journey to moving overseas.

On February 23, 2020, I will be joining VISA's Innovation Centre in Dubai as Director, Innovation Engagements CEMEA (Central Europe, Middle East, Africa).

Words probably don't do justice to all of emotions that are bubbling inside of me as I anticipate the new challenges, culture, friends, opportunities and experiences I will find in my new job halfway across the world.

Truth is though; this article isn't about a job that I haven't started yet. It is however a few fun personal observations and reflections of the last ten weeks here in Melbourne, Australia as I've prepared for this new step in my life.

I hope you enjoy my illustrated insights of this time.

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It's possible to drink multiple coffees daily and to catch up with old friends from work, school and other places.

Using Google Calendar religiously and diarising your social commitments becomes a critical time management tool.

You de-clutter so many things as you decide what to bring with you, what to donate and give away, and what you want family and friends to hold onto.

You curate your personal collection of books to individuals and gift these titles to them for their reading consideration.

You do a lot of walking around the city you call home and noticing as many details as you can now ...

... And how that might change in the future.

You think about travel plans and countries of close proximity from your new home.

You research what your life might look like in your new home, but leave space for mystery and surprise to subvert your expectations.

You play with your niece and nephew as much as you can.

You try and spend time with your parents as much as you can too.

You realise that the administration required to move overseas is a lot! But bit by bit it gets manageable and easier.

You spend some time preparing for the role and imagining the way in which business and society works in a part of the world you are unfamiliar with.

You look at the time you have had off and reminisce on that summer holiday feeling as a university student where life slows down and you find the time to appreciate the small moments.

You say goodbye a million times to people because you don't quite know when your actual departure date has been confirmed.

You look forward to the future with possibility, and backward to the past with gratitude.

To all of those who have been a part of my journey - I am deeply thankful for all of the things I have learnt from each and every one of you. You all know who you are.

See you later.

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Illustrations and words by Robert Lee | February 2020