Ms. Angie DeLima laid in a hospital bed facing her husband, holding their newborn son, Thomas, on an August afternoon in 2011. After pausing for a moment, her husband finally popped the question: Do you want to move to Dubai?

DeLima recalls being in a state of shock. But she agreed.

DeLima, now a Pascack Valley Italian teacher, and her husband wanted to try something new after living in Italy for so long. When her husband, Andrea Pini, was offered a job in Dubai, they jumped at the chance.

Pini has been working for the Italian fashion brand, Gucci, for 13 years in several capacities including retail operations, logistics, and finance. He is currently in charge of the finance operations for Gucci in North America.

“Moving is an opportunity my company offers to resources that show dedication and commitment,” Pini said. “Something I am truly happy and proud is the fact my wife, Signora DeLima, is a brave and adventurous partner. She first moved to Italy from US and when we decided to move to Dubai she didn’t hesitate for a moment.”

Moving to Dubai was a fantastic experience for both Pini and DeLima.

“I was working in developing the business in the Gulf and India Region for Gucci,” Pini said, “while Angie was teaching Italian at the American University.”

DeLima’s students were from all different countries, such as Egypt, Afghanistan, Lebanon, and Iraq. These students grew up watching and reading about American culture.

“My students all spoke a minimum of three languages already,” DeLima said. “So to teach them a fourth language, they just caught on very quickly.”

While in Dubai, DeLima learned about Muslim culture, especially the holiday of Ramadan. During Ramadan, Muslims fast from the moment the sun comes up until the moment the sun goes down.

“Once that sun would go down, they would have these humongous feasts and I got to be a part of those feasts,” DeLima said. “And I’m talking tables and tables and tables of amazing food.”

DeLima and Pini had the opportunity to travel a lot while in Dubai, but also had the opportunity to absorb the culture.

“We tried to live our three years there more as locals than as tourists and this made the difference,” Pini said. “Dubai is also the country where our daughter was born and this keeps a special meaning for us.”  

After living in Dubai for three years, DeLima and her husband decided to relocate.

“After you’ve lived in the desert for a period of time, it starts to get to you because there’s no trees, there’s no nature, it’s sand everywhere you go, and it’s extremely hot in the summers,” DeLima said. “It’s extremely hot to the point where a lot of people will leave for the summer.”

DeLima and her husband decided that after three years, they didn’t want to continue to always have to leave in the summer.

They decided to relocate to NJ after Gucci offered Pini a job there. DeLima has been an Italian teacher at PV for three years.

“We are settled here and both happy with our jobs,” Pini said.

DeLima and Pini have no plans to move any time soon. However, Pini encourages people “to open up your horizons and travel: be curious and don’t be afraid to challenge yourselves. If they ask you to go somewhere, be ready to say yes.”