I joined SQ on zero money. I was a bottom dweller, and at the time my friends were similar. I had an asian GF.
Now im in Big Airlines as a senior checker trainer.
Its not the money. Its the life experience . When you loose this, then you loose it all .
I never wanted to work in the gulf . In fact , in my day , it was a rather 3rd rate place to work .
Very few in EK ever made it to BA . If you want a real career , forget being an expat . It will never reward you. Ultimately, most guys hearts will always be loyal to their mother land.