Guest blog: 6 career-defining reasons you should study in the UAE

Choosing a destination for higher education is one of the most important and impactful decisions you will make. It’s necessary to do your research and evaluate your offers based on your goals. There are unique benefits for students who study in the UAE, even though higher education in the UAE is still young compared to other countries. Having attended university in the UAE, I got to experience some of those advantages. Here are the top six reasons why studying in the UAE was the right choice for me.

6 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD STUDY IN THE UAE

The Diverse and International Community

Not only do people who study in the UAE bring with them new experiences and perspectives, but they also interact and share these ideas. I knew that naturally, this was going to be reflected into the student body at universities in the UAE. And there is no better way to grow as a person than being in a community of diverse individuals. Additionally, the faculty members teaching at universities in the UAE generally come from respected educational backgrounds with previous professional experiences.

Quality of Education at Universities in the UAE

This can make - or break - your university experience. The UAE encourages well-established universities from around the world to set up branch campuses in the emirates. Heriot-Watt University Dubai, BITS Pilani Dubai and the University of Wollongong in Dubai are just some of the branch campuses of reputed universities in Dubai. If you study in the UAE, you will receive an internationally recognised diploma with the language of instruction in English. Should you pursue post-graduate education elsewhere, you will not have to take further exams to prove your language skills.

Extensive Facilities And Resources Available

From a wide variety of course offerings to building your first resume with a career counselor, there are a plethora of resources available to students who study in the UAE. Fancy doing a portion of your studies abroad? In UAE, you can!  Universities in the UAE are keen to provide students with an opportunity to study a semester or more in an international destination. With increasing competition between the best universities in the UAE, this exciting opportunity will be more available.

Life while Studying in the UAE

Higher education in the UAE goes beyond just studying theory. Instead, you will have the chance to gain UAE-specific work experiences through local internships. These opportunities gave me invaluable insights into the UAE market and were crucial in getting me accustomed to the system at work here. Thus, studying in the UAE can ultimately give you a boost up the career ladder and help you land a job here.

A Helpful Alumni Network

A professional network is an incredible asset that will accompany you far into your career. However, these links take time to build. A helpful alumni association that comes with a higher education in the UAE can give you a head start. Also, this alumni network is your best source of advice when getting used to life after graduation. This network serves as a career building tool that comes with numerous benefits. This could be an invitation to a career fair or a spot at a fancy dinner hosted by the university.

Proximity to Your Comfort Zone

If you are a resident in the UAE, the added benefits that you will get by studying here are plenty. You can save up on extra costs such as accommodation and travel. Also, you will not experience the homesickness that comes with going away for university. I’ve found it much easier to cope with the transition to university since I did not have to also juggle the pressure of living alone in a new country.

And there you have it. The six points above shaped my experience attending university in the UAE. As you can see, there are multiple benefits for students to study in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or the other emirates. That includes studying in a cosmopolitan country to enjoying the fabulous opportunities provided to higher education students here. I hope these reasons will help you make an informed decision regarding your future and persuade you to study in the UAE.

Nadine Ibrahim is a long-time resident of the UAE and was brought up in the sun-soaked capital of Abu Dhabi. Deciding to pursue her higher education in the country, Nadine studied at New York University in Abu Dhabi. Post her graduation, Nadine followed her love for numbers and joined as a data analyst at Bayut. With her love for laughter and curly hair, you’ll find Nadine impossible to miss.

Have you studied in the UAE? Let us know about your experience in the comments below! Also, if you do want to study in the UAE, you may want to check out our list of the best universities in Dubai. And if you're not keen on living in university accommodation, take a look at Dubai's most affordable studios under AED 50k.

And follow MyBayut, the UAE’s best property blog, for more up-to-date and unique information about life in UAE.