DEMOGRAPHICS
Ever wondered if life in Dubai would be restrictive if you decided to live and study in the UAE? Let me answer this. NO. Despite being an Islamic country, it is one of the freest, most vibrant and active countries in the world. Why do we say this? Check this out;
Living and studying in Dubai can be a liberating experience. The number of countries where good weather prevails throughout the year are merely a handful. Dubai is one of them.
The United Arab Emirates, better known as the UAE consists of 7 states or emirates. Nestled on the South of the Persian Gulf, UAE is neighbour to Oman on the East and Saudi Arabia to the South and West. It also shares maritime borders with Qatar to the West and Iran to the North.
The seven Emirates that make up the UAE are, Abu Dhabi which is the capital, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain. Out of the total population of UAE in 2020, 88.52% are expatriates. Only 11.48% account for locals. This gives you a fair idea of the popularity of Dubai as a study and living destination.
WHY DUBAI?
- Due to the large percentage of expatriates living in Dubai, the majority are English speakers. So, there is no need to fumble in communication
- There is some activity to interest and captivate everyone
- The weather is great, all year round with a high of 50°C in Summer and a low of 30°C in the Winter with a drop to 13 – 15° in the evenings
- Since so many expatriates reside in Dubai, it is a melting pot of cultures, language and food. Tastes that can tickle even the most finicky of palates are a specialty of Dubai. It is not without reason that the city is known as one of the culinary capitals of the world. Restaurants catering a wide variety of food items are authentic because locals of each different country are the actual chefs preparing the many dishes
- Multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-language, multi-tradition. In a nutshell, Dubai is an international city that is vibrant, energetic and captivating to the adventurous spirit
- Dubai is a safe city. One of the safest in the world.
- Education standards are extremely high
UNIVERSITIES AND ACCOMMODATION
There are accommodation options to suit everyone’s need. Also, there exists in Dubai, free zones that house only academia and where internationally affiliated Colleges and Universities of good repute are huddled together. It creates an atmosphere that is conducive for effective study. In close proximity to these educational free zones are accommodation communities that are a student’s dream come true.
UNIVERSITIES
Dubai Academic City – World’s largest educational free zone
Dubai Academic City is one such free zone that is situated centrally amidst the teeming buzz of this vibrant city. It is the largest educational free zone in the world.
Dubai Knowledge Village
R&D, Innovation and Vocational training are the specialist streams of study that are prevalent at the Dubai Knowledge Village. Over 200 organizations and internationally acclaimed academic institutions are housed in this educational free zone established in 2003.
ACCOMMODATION
Some universities offer on-campus and off-campus hostels. Others affiliate with hotels to provide affordable lodging. As accommodation can be a bit costly, it is always better to scout around on the internet or better yet, inquire from someone already living and/or studying in Dubai.
Of course, if money is not a problem, there are communities of residential complexes with the most alluring surroundings and the latest amenities and facilities from studios, to three-bed apartments situated in close proximity to the educational free zones. Some of them are; Dubai Silicon Oasis, International City and Dubailand situated around the vicinity of Dubai Academic City and Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) and Jumeirah Lakes Towers in around the Dubai Knowledge Village.
Other options available are, KSK Homes Student Residences, The Myriad Dubai and Uninest Dubailand. Needless to say, if you search hard enough, you are sure to find student housing that will fit your budget quite snugly.
How to find a place to live when you choose to study overseas can feel daunting. But do not be disheartened. Explore all the options, compare costs, obtain help from International student advisors, join Facebook groups originating from the country of choice, and make an informed decision. You are bound to come up trumps in your search.
IN CONCLUSION
Digest this information. Do your research. And if you get lost, check out the February 2018 Dubai Real Estate Report prior to making any concrete decisions. Because, there is no justification in cutting costs in one area only to find that you are spending it on another aspect of your journey that you overlooked. Why regret when you can rejoice?
