Living in the UAE
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Geography
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is located in the Middle East, in the southeastern part of the Arabian Peninsula. It shares land borders with Saudi Arabia to the west and south, and Oman to the southeast and northeast. The UAE is bordered by the Arabian Gulf to the north. It covers an area of approximately 83,600 square kilometers.
As the name suggests, the United Arab Emirates is a confederation of sheikhdoms: seven to be exact. The seven emirates are: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain, and Ajman. Abu Dhabi is by far the largest making up over 80% of the country. Dubai is the second largest and regarded as the business center. The UAE was established on December 2, 1971 following Great Britain's withdrawal from the Arabian Gulf's coastal region.
The two main cities in the UAE, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, are 160 kilometers apart (100 miles). Abu Dhabi, the more sedate city of the two, is the country's capital and administrative center. Abu Dhabi is also the center for the administration of oil and gas operations. Dubai, with its slightly faster pace of life, has acquired international acclaim thanks to its trade-related achievements, tourism and world class sporting events.
The UAE is one of the GCC (Gulf Co-operation Council) states.
Climate and Weather
Although the UAE weather is often depicted as being unbearably hot, the temperature actually varies between regions and between months. The summer time is indeed hot with temperatures averaging 47°C (115°F) in August but luckily, the vast majority of homes, shops and offices are efficiently air-conditioned. Surprising to most, the weather in this desert landscape is relatively humid. During the hot summer months this humidity can add to the discomfort. In contrast, winter (October to March) mid-day temperatures are very pleasant at 20°C to 25°C (75°F to 80°F) with cooler evenings averaging 15°C (59°F).
Government
The Supreme Council of Rulers is the highest authority in the United Arab Emirates, composed of the hereditary rulers of its seven emirates. These seven members elect the President of the UAE from among themselves. The current President is His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who also serves as the Ruler of Abu Dhabi. Zayed University is named after his father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the visionary leader widely recognized as the founding father of the nation.
Business Hours
The work week is Monday to Friday for all public sector organizations, including Zayed University. Thus public sector employees, schools and many businesses enjoy a two-day, Saturday-Sunday weekend. However, there is no uniformity in weekends.
Restaurants and retail businesses are generally open seven days a week. Shopping centers are typically open until 10 pm.
Taxes
Value Added Tax or VAT is a tax on the consumption or use of goods and services. A VAT of 5 per cent is levied at the point of sale. Businesses collect and account for the tax on behalf of the government.
Food
There is huge variety of food in the UAE due to the range of goods imported to suit the tastes of the many nationalities. Prices are comparable to those in most western countries.
If you prefer dining out, the UAE offers numerous world-class restaurants and cafes. All varieties of ethnic cuisine are available in hotels and restaurants. Fast food type outlets are also available and include some of the most well-known western outlets. Arabic, Lebanese and Indian fast food outlets are also plentiful. Starbucks and other coffee outlets are readily available.
Alcohol is available to non-Muslims. Alcohol is sold in most hotel restaurants and pubs. After receiving a Residence Visa, you can apply for a liquor permit which allows you to purchase alcohol in specialist outlets to drink at home. Liquor permits can only be used in the Emirate in which they are issued.
Recreation
People are never at a loss for activities in the UAE. Private club facilities offer everything from golf to swimming to gym facilities. Amusement and water parks are fun weekend spots for families. Desert driving, camping, hiking, rock climbing, cycling, picnics, beaching and diving are just some of the many outdoor activities available in the UAE.
Indoors, movie theaters show the latest Hollywood blockbusters, and there are numerous shopping malls where the majority of residents and visitors tend to spend their time. In fact, the Dubai Mall, which is one of the largest malls in the world, houses a cinema, ice skating rink, Sega Republic, The Address Hotel, restaurants and shops and also connects to At the Top, which is the viewing terrace inside the Burj Khalifa (currently the tallest building in the world). There are concerts, plays and exhibitions that take place throughout the year. You can even ski in Dubai at Mall of the Emirates.
Dress Code
The dress code is much the same as in your own country with some restrictions and variations across the different Emirates (for example, Sharjah has more conservative dress requirements for men and women). Shorts, skirts, and short-sleeved shirts are quite acceptable, but with a sense of modesty and common sense. Revealing or tight fitting clothes should be avoided. There is no requirement for women to cover up. Those who do, do so out of choice and respect for their heritage and religion.
In public, most national women wear a black "abaya", a long loose black robe that covers their normal clothes, plus a headscarf, called a "shayla". Some women also wear a thin black veil covering their face, while some older women wear a small mask made of fabric known as a "burkha", which covers the nose, brow and cheekbones.
The national dress for men is the "dishdasha" or "khandura", an ankle length robe, usually white. Dishdashas are usually worn with a white or red-checkered headcloth ("gutra") and a twisted black rope-like coil ("agal") which holds the gutra in place; under the headdress is a skull cap ("gafia").
Safety
The UAE is consistently ranked among the safest countries in the world, with Abu Dhabi and Dubai frequently topping global safety rankings. Crime rates are extremely low, making it a secure place to live, work, and study.
That said, like in any major city, it’s always wise to stay aware of your surroundings. The biggest safety concern in the UAE is road traffic. With a diverse mix of driving styles and occasionally aggressive behavior on the roads, caution is key. Always wear your seatbelt, maintain a safe distance from other vehicles, and avoid distractions like mobile phone use while driving - both for your safety and to comply with local laws.
Electricity
The voltage in the UAE is 220-240 Volts, 50 Cycles. The socket type is the three pin British system. The prongs are square. Adapters are available in the UAE. Some products are sold in the UAE with two prong plugs and you will need to buy adapters which are available from most supermarkets and hardware stores.
In the UAE, mail is not delivered to street addresses. Mail is delivered to post office boxes. You will be given a mail tray on campus where you will receive your internal and external mail.
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