I have never worked at ZU but know about living in Dubai.
The new ZU campus is way out of town on the Al Ain road, close to the outlet mall (great bargains to be had there!). Depending on where you find/are assigned accommodation, the commute could be murder...
Dubai -- like the rest of the world -- is in the middle of a financial crisis. This has resulted in major construction projects being halted and workers leaving the country in the thousands every week. The airport parking lots are replete with abandoned luxury cars (with keys in the ignition): expats leaving because they lost their jobs and cannot repay their car loans.
The education sector has not suffered much from the global crisis so far. Life in Dubai can be very pleasant if you like shopping (they have fantastic malls), wining and dining (great restaurants) and have lots of money!!! Rents have been on the decline, so this may be your luck.
Students at ZU - I expect - are much like students everywhere else in the golf: mostly sweet but not very motivated. You should surf the website for Dave's ESL cafe for more info specific to ZU. (
www.daveseslcafe.com)
I hope this helps some!
CJ
