Things to know before Studying in Dubai - Accomodation, Food, Fun, Scholarships, Moral Code

Things to know before studying in Dubai - Planning for studying in Dubai at one of the universities and colleges? Then before choosing the university, there are many things to know before studying in Dubai both academically and personally. While the UAE isn’t yet a top draw in the field of higher education like the USA or the UK, there are chances that it may soon reach there. Dubai today has three universities like Canadian University Dubai, American University in Dubai, University of Dubai that have broken into the QS world ranking while four others are listed in the top 100 universities in the regional UAE ranking. The article consists of information related to things to know before studying in Dubai, like accommodation, scholarships, work opportunities, dress code, food, etc. which make the student acquire a good understanding towards study in Dubai.

List of key things to know before studying in Dubai

Knowing about one’s study-abroad destination properly not only helps one prepare better but calms down the nerves by eliminating unwarranted apprehensions. Studying in Dubai for Indian students or any other international students can be a new environment so here is a list of key things which are necessary to know, before studying in Dubai.

Accommodation

Accommodation is one of the primary things to know before studying in Dubai. Students have the option of staying on-campus or going for off-campus accommodation in Dubai. The on-campus accommodation is cheaper and safer. Universities generally have limited numbers of seats, and if they are missed, candidates must look for other off-campus options. The on-campus accommodation fee for an undergraduate student sharing a twin accommodation at Heriot-Watt University is AED 27,560, while for postgraduate students is AED 33,075. For single rooms, the charges will go up accordingly.

Considering accommodation in Dubai for all on-campus the price range across universities is similar but in the case of private off-campus accommodation, the prices may fluctuate more and depend on services and facilities.

Scholarships

One of the essential things to know before studying in Dubai is scholarships. As the cost of studying in Dubai including living costs and university fees are on the higher end, a scholarship grant offered by universities or other organisations would support the study of the candidate. Candidates can consult the study abroad consultants in Dubai, to know about the list of available scholarships relevant to their courses and profile.

UOWD, for example, has scholarship schemes for both new and existing students, with the scholarship amount valued at 15% to 50% of tuition fee costs. Students at UOWD have the liberty to apply to as many scholarships as they want, but they can’t be the recipient of more than one scholarship (or tuition grant) at any given time. Taking advice from the education consultants in Dubai can be advantageous as they can provide a list of scholarships to sthe students that are available for the course of study.

American University in Dubai also encourages international scholarships to take up study in Dubai by extending scholarships like MSCM Scholarship for Graduate Admissions and H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Scholarship.

Work and Study in Dubai

International Students can work while studying in Dubai. Part-time jobs are one of the essential things to know before studying in Dubai. For international students who are studying any courses like bachelor's, master's, and PhD in Dubai, there are both on-campus and off-campus work opportunities. Candidates can seek off-campus work during summer and work for on-campus opportunities throughout the year. Even studying at the cheapest university in Dubai, for example Manipal education academy, can help in managing the candidate’s partial expenses at the university and accommodation fees. Students can work part-time jobs in Dubai with student visas and work permits issued by the UAE labor department.

Job Opportunities in Dubai

Planning for a job after studying in Dubai, then here are a few things to know before studying in Dubai. Upon completion of studies, one can easily find plenty of jobs in Dubai, as opportunities are unlimited. Students need to apply for employment visas to work full-time jobs after studying in Dubai. Even though they are huge opportunities, securing a job in Dubai is considered as luck. The candidates have to keenly look at the job description and carefully apply to the particular jobs which are relevant to them. Once after graduating from PG courses, the candidate's salary can range around AED 20,000/- which is suitable for maintaining a living in Dubai.

Health insurance

One of the things to know before studying in Dubai is the health insurance for the students. It is not just a medical requirement for students when studying in Dubai but it is also needed to apply for a student visa. It helps the students in avoiding high medical care bills in Dubai. If the health insurance is sponsored by the university, the insurance bill will be included in the Student Visa Package fees, or else, the insurance can be sponsored by the candidate's family itself. The formalities can vary from university to university, so the students are advised to visit the visa office for assistance.

Dubai is a cosmopolitan city

More than 80% of the total population is made of expatriates. Also, while Islam is the central theme around which everything revolves, people of other faiths are free to follow their own religion and even have their own houses of worship. The cosmopolitan nature of the city is one of the things to know before studying in Dubai, which gives candidates an international perspective and sets them free from parochial-mindedness. The Indian universities in Dubai provide with a mix of Indian, western, and Middle east cultures which makes it easier to cope with the surrounding environment and at the same time gives the vibrance to enjoy meeting people from various cultures and traditions.

Food & Cuisine

It would be a better option to explore the food related things to know before studying in Dubai. Dubai is home to around 180 nationalities and this cultural diversity can be easily reflected in food. The city is filled with restaurants, each significantly different than the other, and with representations from all across the world. The latest food craze sweeping the city is open kitchen fares and to some extent multi-cuisine eateries specialising in Japanese, Italian and Lebanese dishes. If money is a concern, choose the ubiquitous eateries, most likely managed by Indian or Pakistani, or even Filipinos dealing in plates full of curry, rice, or noodles.

Tourism and Fun in Dubai

Knowing about tourism is one of the exciting things to know before studying in Dubai. Dubai, which serenades the Arabian Gulf, isn’t just ripe with natural attractions, but there are enough man-made attractions to keep people busy the entire year. Surrounded by sand dunes, the city has its fair share of stunning beaches and warm waters and receives year-round sunshine, frequently making tourists go weak on their knees. While studying in Dubai, students are going to get a lot of opportunities to explore these acclaimed attractions of the city.

Moral Code of Conduct in Dubai

Dubai has very different sensibilities compared to other cities in the world, which has to do with the UAE being a country that adheres to Sharia Law. Familiarity with the different dos and don’ts of the prevailing laws in the country will help to stay out of harm’s way.

• Don’t get affectionate with companions in public - Showing affection to a partner or person of the opposite gender is considered an offence and can lead to punishment or imprisonment.

• Don’t get drunk in public - If the candidate has a licence, they can drink privately or at home. But drinking in public places is a strict No. Anyone found tipsy is also charged. An even bigger crime in Dubai is drinking and driving; so don’t ever try that when studying in Dubai.

• Wild celebrations and loud music aren’t welcome in public spots - Banish the thought of showcasing dancing abilities in the middle of a street or in any public place. The same applies to loud music. The best place for such types of entertainment is the official dance floor.

• Follow decency in Dress code - Women aren’t encouraged to wear anything too tight or revealing, or dresses that don’t cover the sleeve or knees as they hurt local sensibilities. Even men are expected to wear tops with sleeves.

• Swearing and using rude gestures in public is an offence - Swearing and making insults are not allowed. The same goes for rude gestures. If the person can’t help to let emotions stay inside, the least possible favor can be done by finding a private place where no one can hear or see.

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