What are the pros/cons of working in MBB in the middle east?

Hello everyone. I've been in contact with headhunters recruiting for Dubai MBB offices, they insinuated that it will be easy for me to get there after finishing my master's at LBS. MBB offices in Dubai offer incredible compensations and help their associates/consultants with MBAs. I'm thinking about joining an MBB office in Dubai for at least a few years but I have no idea how life and work there are like. 

Can someone please explain how work & life are in Dubai? and since it's consulting, how often are entry level consultants travel and where do they travel most frequently?

Thanks.

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Pros:

  • High compensation
  • Potential for great lifestyle
  • Ability to understand dynamics of a specific geographic region (which makes you attractive in future for companies wanting to business there)

Cons:

  • Limited industry exposure - you deal with what is in the region and this can limit opportunities elsewhere
  • May not fully "fit in" as a foreigner; even though business is done in English, a lack of Arabic/knowledge of local culture can isolate you a bit
  • Regional travel (unless at McKinsey). Most firms have regional staffing models and will fly you in and out of the ME. This also limits the types of project you can work on
 

So travel is limited to ME countries. I'm just curious, is that in itself a bad thing or is it bad because of the people you'd normally deal with?

Also, I've heard BCG offered housing for their employees, is it true? 

 

Travel is not always limited, but companies with a local staffing model with heavily focus on the region. It can be a negative in that it limits industry and project type exposure. Not sure about housing, but I wouldn't be surprised and would categorise that under the great compensation you would get in the region. I think experience in the region can be valuable if you have a 3-5 year exit plan where you can walk away with a huge financial cushion. 

 

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