📄 Abstract
The study explores the work-related stress, cultural adjustment, and curriculum adaptation of expatriate kindergarten teachers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It addresses the limited understanding of how these challenges affect their teaching performance and wellbeing, which is important because the UAE depends heavily on foreign teachers to Support its diverse early childhood education system. It aims to identify the Extent of these challenges and determine their relationship to teaching performance and wellbeing by employing a descriptive-quantitative research design with one hundred expatriate kindergarten teachers as participants. Data were collected through a researcher-developed questionnaire that underwent validation, pilot testing, and reliability checks, and were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and tests of difference. Results indicate that teachers experience minor but recurring challenges related to work stress, cultural adjustment, and curriculum adaptation, showing that these job demands still influence teaching effectiveness, although overall wellbeing remains generally stable. Findings also show that demographic factors such as age, sex, nationality, and length of stay significantly affect how teachers experience these challenges. Overall, the study concludes that expatriate kindergarten teachers are qualified and capable but require structured, continuous Support to adapt culturally, manage stress, and align more effectively with the curriculum. The study recommends implementing a comprehensive, targeted professional development program that includes training, mentorship, classroom coaching, and orientation activities to strengthen their teaching performance, enhance their wellbeing, and improve retention in the UAE's early childhood education.
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📚 How to Cite:
Vanessa T. Garte, Melinda F. Marquez PhD PDP-TQM , WORK STRESS, CULTURAL ADJUSTMENT, AND CURRICULUM ADAPTATION: IMPACT ON EXPATRIATE KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS IN UAE , Volume 11 , Issue 5, May 2026, EPRA International Journal of Research & Development (IJRD) ,