This week’s Into-yous features Indian expat Asha Sridhar.

Tell us a little about yourself
I work and live with my family in Dubai and have 2 wonderful children, a son who is 13 years & a daughter who turned 11. I work with one of the best food manufacturing companies in Dubai. While my job keeps me busy I always remember to balance my time so that I spend happy hours with my family.

When did you move to Dubai and what brought you here?
I moved to Dubai in 1996 to join my husband after marriage.

Have you been an expat elsewhere and if so, where?
No, this is my first expat location.

The best advice you were given to prepare you for life in Dubai
Dubai is a fine city and also very safe for women, there are plenty of opportunities. It is important to respect the culture in Dubai as it is a Muslim country.

What surprised you most about Dubai?
The amount of Indian expats and not that many local people around. But this was some 16 years ago and things have changed so much.

What area do you live in?
The Gardens, Jebel Ali.

If money were no object, where would you most like to live in Dubai?
I would love to live in a villa in the Green Community.

Your favorite Arabic word or phrase you have learned so far
Shoo Ada.

Your least favorite word or phrase you have adopted since moving to Dubai
Walla and Alhan Wah sahlan.

What has been your best experience in Dubai to date?
Having both my children born in Al Wasl Hospital, Dubai.

Where do you hope to spend your next holiday?
Our next holiday will be to Rome to visit the Colosseum, this will be the 4th wonder of the world we planned to visit.

Who is the person you most miss when you are in Dubai?
My mother, she lives in India and comes on visits occasionally. I love to hear her talk as she always has some subject to converse to you about, anytime.

What is your favorite restaurant in Dubai?
Tony Roma’s.

What grocery item do you most miss from your home country?
I miss the poppy seeds which is used to prepare certain Indian curries. This is not available in Dubai as it is a banned product.

When friends and family visit you in Dubai where will you absolutely take them?
If the weather’s right, I will take them on a desert safari, go for camping and fishing – stuff that we have done & enjoyed..

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The team at Expat Echo Dubai would like to feature you in our Into-yous section

Please complete our 5 minute interview and submit your answers along with a profile picture (in JPEG format).