Diana’s story: “The things that scare you the most often help you grow and develop the most.”

Diana’s story is one of bold decisions, courage, and a passion for exploring the world. After completing her Master’s degree in International Business and working as a manager in a corporate environment, Diana realized that the traditional office job wasn’t her calling. She longed for a career that would take her around the globe, introducing her to different cultures and ways of life. This dream led her to sign up for an open day with Emirates Airlines, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Tell us your story.

After finishing my Master’s degree in International Business and working as a manager in a company, I realized that an office job wasn’t really for me. I always dreamed of getting a job in an international company and traveling for work. Ten years ago, while sitting in my office, I signed up for an open day event with Emirates Airlines. Initially, I thought they would present various positions, but when I attended, I discovered it was exclusively for cabin crew roles.

I passed all the tests and the interview, and within a few weeks, I received the “golden call” (as people in Emirates call it 😊). It took me a month to decide whether to go or not. I made the decision at the last minute, just before the deadline to resign from my previous job. I told myself: I should do it now or never. So, I accepted the challenge to become cabin crew for Emirates and fly around the world. I made traveling my job and my lifestyle—a decision I’ve never regretted, as that job gave me life experiences I could never have gained by staying on the ground.
I stepped out of my comfort zone by resigning, packing two suitcases in a single day, and flying to Dubai the next day—a city I had never even visited before moving there directly.
I won’t lie; being a cabin crew member was the hardest job I’ve ever had. Losing sleep due to night flights, jet lag, standing for long hours during service, dealing with rude passengers or medical emergencies, and managing the pressures of emergency situations—these were all challenges I had to accept and overcome. Over six years, I traveled the world, visiting around 80 countries. For five of those years, I worked as a business class cabin crew member.
Since I loved destinations like Los Angeles and New York, we often had celebrities on those flights. I had the chance to meet my favorite actress, Gwyneth Paltrow, along with Chris Martin from Coldplay and their kids, members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kit Harington from Game of Thrones, and many others. It was such a cool experience.
I worked with Emirates from 2014 until 2020. When COVID came, my third contract wasn’t extended (each contract lasts three years). It was the right time for me to leave anyway. Now, I travel frequently as a passenger—and I absolutely love it.

What did your life looked like before and why did you decide to change it?

As I mentioned, I used to work in an office, but deep inside, I always had a huge passion for traveling and discovering new cultures. So, that’s exactly what I pursued. I completely transformed my life by joining Emirates Airlines. My colleagues became people from all around the world. I had the opportunity to learn about diverse cultures, languages, and traditions.
My perspective shifted from being close-minded to thinking outside the box. I made the decision to change my life because I wanted to grow as a person and see the world.

What were the biggest lessons you learned on the trip and what did you
understand about yourself?

Traveling is amazing, but it can also be dangerous at times. I’ve learned many valuable lessons along the way:
• Safety varies by country. Just because a place like Dubai is safe doesn’t mean all countries are the same. While sightseeing in Vietnam, a man on a motorcycle snatched my professional camera straight from my hands—even though the strap was securely wrapped around my wrist. The lesson learned: always stay aware of your surroundings and pay attention to what’s happening around you.
• Cash is king in some places. While in China, I spent almost all my local currency shopping, and a taxi driver kicked me out of his car when I didn’t have enough cash to pay for the ride back to my hotel. Despite the language barrier (no one spoke English, and there were no English signs), I managed to get back using the metro. This taught me that body language can be universal and incredibly helpful when words fail.
• Every second counts in emergencies. Working as a cabin crew, I learned that even 30 seconds can make a big difference. We often dealt with medical cases during flights, which required us to forget about stress and focus entirely on helping people. I call this invaluable life experience.
• Expect the unexpected. During emergency situations, I realized that every day brings a new story. You never know what might happen, and you can’t always plan for it. The key is to stay ready for anything.

Do you feel your life has turned out different than you previously thought? Have you found yourself different from what you always thought?

My life didn’t turn out as I initially expected, but I believe traveling changed me significantly. The various experiences and challenges taught me invaluable lessons. It truly was an incredible life journey.

If you could go back to beginning, what would you do differently?

If I could go back to the beginning, I would start traveling earlier. I would have joined Emirates Airlines sooner.

If someone is secretly dreaming about the lifestyle you are living now, what would
you tell them?

I would tell them not to be afraid to live the life they want. Pay attention to what you want, not what others expect from you. You need to listen to yourself and not fear change. The things that scare you the most often help you grow and develop the most.

Is it scary to go on the adventure of a lifetime?

It was scary, but not anymore 😊. Traveling is no longer intimidating for me. I can pack in five minutes and travel with just a small bag. Ten years ago, I would have packed several suitcases for a one-week trip. That seems silly to me now. It’s not scary—it’s good fun! Maybe it’s because I’ve visited so many countries and now have a better understanding of what to expect from different cultures.

What was happening in your head?

The beginning of my traveling experience was very scary. Leaving my comfortable life and heading into the unknown was incredibly daunting. I always valued my family’s opinion, and they were against my decision. To ease their concerns, I told them I would travel for just two months and then return. In reality, I came back after six years—and I’m still traveling frequently! These days, I go on a trip almost every month, often to visit friends I made during my flying years. I’ve been fortunate to build friendships all around the world.

What are the most amazing things about living here?

I currently live in Lithuania, but I spend every winter (three months each year) in Dubai. For the past 10 years, Dubai has felt like home and still holds a special place in my heart. The most amazing things about Dubai are the warm temperatures, the beautiful beaches, and the vibrant social life. I love everything about it.

Living the way you do, what was the hardest thing in this whole experience?

The hardest thing about traveling and working was missing all the important days with family and friends—birthdays, weddings, Christmas, Easter. I missed my grandmother’s funeral because I was on a flight from Dubai to São Paulo, Brazil, when she passed away. That was the hardest experience.

What would you suggest for people dreaming about this lifestyle?

Don’t just dream, do it!

What are the first steps in preparation?

I took it as a challenge. I didn’t have time to prepare. Sometimes it’s better to think less and do more.

What are your next steps? Is there any adventure you are planning?

Yes, I would like to live in a different country every 3 months. I would love to, but the future will show how it goes. 😊

You can follow Diana’s adventure on :

https://www.instagram.com/dianasimcikaite/