A GUIDE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN DUBAI
Every year thousands of students from all over the world come to Dubai for higher education. There are many things that need to be examined and taken care of when you travel to a foreign country. We aim to cover some of the essentials and provide some information to make your trip a little easier and safer.
CULTURAL DIFFERENCE
Be prepared for a cultural shock when you enter Dubai. UAE, with over 200 Nationalities is so culturally diverse that it is almost impossible to differentiate between them and they appear as an amalgam. But still, Islam remains the official religion of the UAE therefore one should be accustomed to Islamic traditions and practices.
TRANSPORTAION
Dubai is well spread out, you can’t just walk to a destination. On top of it the heat makes it extremely difficult to walk or cycle. Taxis are very expensive partly due to the high fare and partly due to the distance that needs to be covered. Hence the most affordable way to get around without breaking your banks is to use the public transportation i.e. buses, metro and tram.
Remember to purchase a NOL card as soon as you get to Dubai and familiarise yourself with the different routes and timings.
HEALTH INSURANCE
It is mandatory for foreign students to have a health insurance in the UAE. Without this your visa application will not be entertained. Health Care is very costly in Dubai. A health insurance helps you to avoid these costs. Most of the universities take care of this and will charge you some pre-determined amount included in your fees.
Aster clinics are spread out throughout the city and provide a reliable service. Apart from this there are many Hospital too.
WORK OPPORTUNITIES
Well as a student you may be looking forward to work or do internships in Dubai. International Students on a Resident Visa are allowed to take up part-time jobs and internships in Dubai. You generally require a NOC from your university to become eligible for part time work. Some of the top universities have their own internship programs where they help students gain exposure through relevant placement opportunities.
There are websites like Indeed.com and Oliv.com that can help you find internships.
STUDENT LIFE
We know this the part you are most excited about that’s why we kept it for the end. Dubai is iconic and apart from quality education there are endless option to have a great time! Whether you are living on campus, off campus or in rental apartment there are plenty of restaurants, night clubs, beaches, festivals, recreation parks, malls to keep you super busy over the weekends. The rich culture brings with it the different cuisine from all over the world which will leave spoilt for choices. Some of the top destinations for students are:
- The Dubai Mall
- Festival Mall
- Global Village
- Jumeirah Beach
- Meena Bazaar and many more.
Is you are looking for an affordable living space in Dubai, check out our website at PropertyEportal.
P.S: Be prepared to work on Sundays.