Poked & Prodded

     There are two pre-employment medical exams that needed to be completed prior to the start date of teaching.  This is a tedious process and you may encounter a few bumps in the road.
     The first exam is required by ADNOC.  I was required to fast 12 hours prior to the exam and to bring 4 passport size photos, passport, and visa.  The medical clinic was quite easy to find.  Everyone was very friendly and helpful.  Each of my nurses were from the philippines and my docter was from India.  The exam consisted of the following: eye, ear, weight, height, ekg, and blood pressure.  This was only in the first room!  Next, I was given directions to proceed to the women's clinic.  In this clinic, the doctor reviewed my results and asked if I had any questions/concerns about my health.  From there, I went to yet another room. There, I gave blood, urine, and had a chest x-ray done.  The process took a total of two hours and the good news, healthy as a horse. 
     Proceeding the women's clinic, I completed the final steps of the Resident Visa/Emirates ID.  This was in yet another building and was very confusing.  There was a language barrier between the employees and myself.  Many spoke little to no English.  I discovered, that if you show the Emirates Registration form, they will point you in the right direction.  The waiting areas and exam rooms are segregated.  There are seperate rooms for women and men.  I was actually happy to be a women in this case.  The waiting area was empty and I flew through the process.  I was given a number and paid 250 AED (I will be reimbursed by the school).  I went to give more blood, for an HIV text and had yet another chest X-ray.  After completed, I recieved my card, which indicated that I had completed the medical steps. 
     Finally, I went around the building to a very busy room.  I recieved my fingerprints and photo id, which made me look like a criminal.  My hair was placed behind my ears and I wasn't smiling. 
     I was very fortunate to have met a couple that was new to my school as well.  They have been more than generous to me.  They had a driver that took us to each building and we made a great team.  This process would have been very difficult, if I had attempted it on my own.