The media tend to portray the United Arab Emirates as a world of concrete, glass and skyscrapers. Although unique to the Middle East, the UAE has a vibrant multicultural environment that is very different from other countries.
The following 10 reasons will help you better understand these differences before going to study in the United Arab Emirates.
The quality of studies
Yes, read the title of this article carefully! Pursuing higher education is the reason why you came, so the quality of the higher education is the main reason for choosing Dubai, right? We are talking more about private universities than public universities, but you will find a very high quality of education here. You will also receive a degree that will be recognized worldwide because the universities in Dubai are branch campuses of Australian, British, American, etc universities.The UAE is safe and secure
During your stay in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), you will probably feel safer than at home. In the city, petty crimes such as pick-pocketing, tourist scams or burglaries are extremely rare. If you leave your wallet, purse or purse in a cafe or taxi in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, it is likely that it will be returned to you. It is possible to travel safely throughout the city during festivals, concerts and outdoor events. Even women who take taxis after hours or public transport, such as the metro and buses, are safe. In this culture, women are highly respected; crimes committed against them are punishable by heavy penalties.Multiculturalism is embraced in UAE
UAE culture is steeped in tolerance, which shouldn’t come as a surprise at all; as a commercial trading center, the country has been influenced throughout its history by different cultures, including those of South and Central Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Besides local friends, you will also meet foreign students and ex-pats from all over the world.English is widely spoken there
Besides speaking Arabic, which is an amazing language, you will find it very captivating to converse in English, as it is widely spoken in the UAE, even in government offices. Many street and shop signs in Dubai are in English, so it won’t be difficult to navigate. Many expats who have lived in the UAE for several years have not even learned the basics of Arabic, as English is spoken all over the country. And since your studies in your university will be taught in English, for those of you who are not native English speakers, that means that your stay in Dubai will also be a language stay, a real immersion!The climate
Compared to Canada, parts of the United States, or Great Britain, it is often hot in Dubai. Summer temperatures usually reach up to 50 ° C but at least it’s a rather dry heat. African students quickly get used to the climate here anyway.Winter is a great time to be in the United Arab Emirates
With lower temperatures, October to April is a great time to visit the United Arab Emirates. When the temperatures cool, cities come alive with outdoor festivals, street festivals, concerts and pop-up markets. In December, you can still go to the beach even if the winter is gray, so enjoy the colors of the summer months, and go on a desert safari while riding beautiful dunes on a quad bike. During these months, locals do their workouts on the beach or in neighborhood parks, with moonlight yoga sessions and running clubs training for marathons.Ramadan is the holy month of fasting
Eid Al Fitr follows Ramadan, and it is always possible to have a good time if you study abroad during Ramadan whether you are a Muslim or a Christian. When the fast is broken, there is a feast, with friends, colleagues, and families. Iftar dinners are common and most restaurants work with differently themed Iftars each evening.You can have fun for free
You can find free events and screenings that take place in the city throughout the year, including fitness classes, stand-up comedy, jazz music, and world cinema. Studying abroad in the United Arab Emirates, a melting pot of cultures, is a chance to grow, study and participate in intercultural exchanges that offer many career prospects.