I recently joined an audit firm in Dubai as an intern about 8 months ago, and I’m feeling quite frustrated with my experience so far. Initially, I was excited to learn and grow, but I’ve felt that my efforts and progress have gone largely unrecognized. During my first couple of months, I was mostly sitting idle due to the off-season, and I didn't receive any formal training, which left me feeling lost. After a month and a half, I finally got assigned to work with a senior, but I struggled due to the lack of guidance. I raised my concerns with my manager, expressing my need for more support without criticizing my senior. However, it seems that my feedback has been held against me, and I still feel judged for it. In the last few months, I’ve made an effort to learn and take on responsibilities beyond what’s typical for an intern. But recently, I received an official warning from my manager primarily about my attendance and breaks, which I acknowledge I need to improve. I’ve been arriving late and taking longer breaks than allowed, but I followed the lead of my colleagues who seemed to do the same. The warning escalated beyond attendance issues, with my manager questioning my output and capabilities. I felt dismissed when I tried to explain my situation, and it hurt to hear that my progress was being minimized, especially considering that I was not given much work or training for a significant part of my internship. To make matters worse, I learned that my friend’s manager labeled me as a “bad influence” because of my habits, which felt incredibly unfair. I’m earning 3,000 AED per month and balancing work with ACCA exams and personal challenges. Now, I’m at a crossroads. I know I need to improve my punctuality and adherence to company rules, but I also feel that the environment hasn’t been conducive to my growth. I’m contemplating whether to stay until I finish my ACCA exams in December 2026 or start looking for other opportunities, knowing that resigning would come with a hefty training cost and a lengthy notice period. Additionally, there’s a potential promotion in November that could lead to a slight pay increase. I’m trying to assess if I’m avoiding accountability or if this is an unhealthy work environment. Any advice would be appreciated.