Top Misconceptions About the UAE

Despite the UAE’s many good reputations as one of the most developed and modern countries in the world, or as an emerging study abroad destination, many people are still reluctant or have their own biases against the place due to its location. In fact, many people still have misconceptions about the UAE, that are most of the time, unfounded. 

Read on to find out the top misconceptions about the UAE, and the real deal about them. 

It is an Unsafe Country

The country’s location in the Middle East may have strengthened this belief. However, this is a huge misconception, because the UAE is actually one of the safest countries in the world. In fact, according to the 2020 Global Peace Index, it is safer than other countries in Europe, such as the United Kingdom and France, and other countries in Asia such as South Korea and Indonesia. 

In another ranking, Numbeo, a global database, ranked the UAE as the third safest country in the world, outranking some of the well-known safest countries in the world, such as Japan and Switzerland. The crime index score of the UAE is only 15.45, which, according to Numbeo, is very low. 

According to some expat testimonials, even petty crimes such as pickpocketing in the streets of UAE are very rare. 

You Can’t Have Fun There Because It’s Strict 

Just like many other countries, the UAE has its own set of rules, which you have to respect, such as not doing PDA in public, cursing in public, or eating in public during Ramadan. Women, too, have to avoid wearing skimpy clothes, which may show a lot of skin, or attract the public’s attention. 

However, despite those restrictions, the UAE is not the kind of place that is so strict that you can’t even have fun. In fact, although women are not allowed to wear clothing that may show their legs, arms, and chest, they can wear other loose comfortable clothes when it is hot. 

Also, when it comes to having fun, Dubai, one of the country’s most famous cities, is famous for its vibrant nightlife. During the night, you can drink, party, and eat out with friends, and it is fine, as long as you’re of the legal age of 21. 

It is Not a Tolerant Country

You cannot say that the UAE is not a tolerant country when it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and the majority of its population is made up of expats. 

Many travel agencies and companies, such as LoveHoliday, a UK travel agency, have given the UAE hundreds of awards on various categories important to being a top tourist destination, such as hospitality, travel, and business destinations. Another travel company, Kuoni, revealed that the UAE is the most searched destination for 2021, and that is amidst the many travel restrictions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, so it is actually a big deal.

The UAE is also a favorite destination for many expats, which makes up the greater part of its population. According to Global Media Insights, there are more than 80% of expats living in the UAE, which is more than the over 11% of Emiratis living in the country. This makes the country a diverse place, which is often a factor in building tolerance among its citizens. Its anti-discrimination laws, which are always followed by its citizens also reflect the country’s tolerance.

There may be more misconceptions about the UAE that are not discussed above. However, instead of discussing more of them, why not learn more about the country to lessen the misconceptions. To start, check out MSM Unify’s article on Studying in the UAE: What You Need to Know. To learn more about the UAE as a study destination, check out 4 Reasons Why the UAE is a Thriving Study Destination.