Studying in the UAE: What You Need To Know

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation made up of seven emirates in the Middle East. Although it is a small country in the Arabian Peninsula, it is hailed as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, thanks to its oil industry. 

It is also home to some of the high-ranking universities not only in the Gulf region, but worldwide. These include the Khalifa University of Science and Technology and the United Arab Emirates University.  

The UAE is also becoming one of the top destinations for international students. Many of its educational institutions teach in English. It has a strong blend of tradition and modernity in its culture. If you are a student thinking of studying in the UAE, here are some facts you need to know about the country. 

The UAE is a Safe Place

The UAE’s location in the Arabian Peninsula may bring some people to think that the country is not safe for foreigners. However, this is not really the case. In fact, the country is one of the safest places in the world. 

In the 2020 Global Peace Index, it ranked 41st out of 163 countries, and is the third most peaceful country in the Middle East after Qatar and Kuwait. According to the report, it has a high state of peace. It even ranked higher than the United Kingdom, South Korea, and France. 

According to UAE authorities, around 96 percent of the country’s residents describe that they feel safe walking outside at night. Petty crimes that are usually experienced by foreigners in other countries, such as pickpocketing, are also rare. 

The Party Starts on Thursday Night

For international students planning to join parties and enjoy the nightlife in the UAE, it is worth knowing that the weekend there is different from the other parts of the world. 

For international students 21 years old and older, weekend festivities usually start on a Thursday night, because the UAE’s official weekend falls on Friday and Saturday. One of the reasons for this is because the Muslim day of prayer falls on a Friday. 

The UAE is Culturally Diverse 

The UAE’s culturally diverse population is not only due to its international students but also because of its expats, who make up the vast majority of its population. In 2018, the expat population made up 89 percent of the country’s population. 

In addition, although Arabic is its national language, English is also one of the most spoken languages in the UAE, making it easier for international students in various parts of the world to integrate into the culture. 

There are seven emirates that make up the UAE, and each has its own culture. Tolerance is also a key principle being embraced in the UAE, and every religion is welcome. For example, Islam may be the most practiced religion in the UAE, but it is followed by Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism, and other religions. 

Working in the UAE is Tax-Free

One of the most attractive features of working in the UAE is its tax-free policy to work. The UAE does not impose income tax on the workers and only asks it from oil companies and foreign banks. This feature is one of the reasons why many expats and international students are attracted to the country.

International students can work part-time during their studies, allowing them not only to gain practical experience but also fund their educational and residential expenses in the UAE. 

Those are just some of the many reasons why the UAE is fast becoming one of the top study destinations in the world. Do you want to know more? Check out our other articles here on MSMUnify for other information about studying in the UAE.