Global baby sets up Dubai home

Stephanie Kristensen is a unique Swede.

(Stephanie Kristensen courtesy @globalbaby)

She’s had a very colourful background before setting up home in the UAE.

9 countries later, that is.

Speaking to Emirates 24|7, she explained the reason her family moved abroad.

“My dad worked in waste water management. I was aged 6 when we made our first move across the world to the USA,” said Stephanie.

(Stephanie Kristensen in Zanzibar courtesy @globalbaby)

Besides the USA, other countries Stephanie lived in before settling down in the UAE were Denmark, Singapore, UK, Switzerland, Greece, Sweden, St. Maarten and China, where she spent the majority of her childhood.

“We moved to China in 2000 where I spent my high school years. I loved it very much, I went to an awesome school and I had amazing friends, “ said Kristensen.

She continued, “It was a great time to be in Beijing, rapid expansion, westernization, and the development boom hadn’t quite started in the same degree as it is now.”

(IStephanie Kristensen in Phuket @globalbaby)

No doubt, there’s been a lot of travelling for the Swedish adventurer.

It doesn’t bother her because the Emirates Group employee happens to love flying around the world.

This year alone she’s travelled to Sweden twice, Mauritius, Phuket, Istanbul, Munich, London, Tanzania and Zanzibar.

“And I am traveling to Los Angeles and Las Vegas later this week! I’m fortunate to have a job that lets me do so.”

Interestingly,  what brought her to Dubai?

“I started applying for jobs in London and was pretty much ready to go when I decided to come visit one of my best friends from university who had moved to Dubai,” said Stephanie.

She continued, “I came to Dubai for a long weekend and absolutely fell in love with it. I knew I had to get here one way or the other.

There are numerous reasons as to why Stephanie loves it here.

“I would take 45 degree heat over slushy snow and cold winds any day!” explained Kristensen.

She added, “I also love that there is always something happening here you never have time to be bored.

"A new restaurant opening there, a new event here! Seeing all the amazing things Dubai has planned makes you excited for the future.”

Staying far away from family, it’s inevitable to experience a little bit homesick.

But Stephanie says her job plays a big part in enabling her to visit Sweden frequently, as well as having a constant flow of relatives who visit and bring over some supplies for her.

Other than that, one thing helps in a big way.

She explained, “I go to IKEA and get my Swedish food fix.”

She continued, “I walk around with nostalgia looking at all the funny Swedish names, have some horrible meatballs, buy some sweets and then I feel satisfied!”   
 

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