THE DESERT DAILY

To ensure that you give the most effective feedback (in the most effective way), always remember that feedback should be:

Keep this acronym in mind and you’ll be off to a good start. Follow these ten rules and you’ll be well on your way to building a positive, effective team environment.

1. Everyone Needs Feedback.

Yes, including you.

2. Be Specific.

If your feedback is general or unclear, it can be misinterpreted and that is the last thing that you want to happen.

3. Speak for yourself.

PLEASE avoid speaking for others. Typically people hide behind this when they don’t have the courage to speak for themselves.

4. Don’t make it personal.

Giving feedback is not an opportunity to share your personal feelings or to attack your teammates.

5. Be sincere

Express how your team members’ actions affect the group and give specific examples.

6. Use the “I” technique

Avoid saying “you”. This technique keeps the other person from becoming defensive and allows for more open and authentic communication.

7. Ask permission

This will ensure that the person is ready and willing to receive feedback from you.

8. Keep it private

Whatever you do, do not give feedback in a public setting! It’s embarrassing and unprofessional and your feedback will fall on deaf ears.

9. End on a positive note

Express confidence in your team member and his or her ability to improve.

10. Think of giving feedback as giving a gift

Feedback gives the recipient the opportunity to get positive insight about what they are doing well and gain understanding about what they are not doing well in order to improve.

- Alycia D. Griffin

Eid al-Fitr is an important Muslim holiday marking the end of Ramadan. It is a time to give charity to those in need, celebrate with and visit family and friends, and give gifts (especially to children).

On the first day, Muslims head to mosques or Eid prayer grounds for a special prayer consisting of a small sermon - 2 units of prayer with an additional 6 Takbirs (the act of raising your hands to your ears and saying “Allahu Akbar” meaning “God is Greatest”).

After-Eid prayer traditions vary, but since Eid is all about family and friends, many traditions revolve around just that, as you can see from the testimonials of fellow Hult students below.

Words to know:

Eid Saeed – Happy Eid

Eid Mubarak – Blessed Eid

Allahu Akbar – God is Greatest

Eidia/Eidi – cash or small gifts given by family members to the children

Majlis – a large place for sitting (also known as an Arabian living room)

Hult Dubai Students Share their Eid Memories

Farida Otaki, MIB, Syria

“3 years ago, I lost a sense of belonging; I lost the true meaning of what I call home. To me, Eid is being in Damascus surrounded by friends and family. Eid is being on the big lunch table in my grandparent’s house eating with 30 different family members. Eid is the time to wear the brand new clothes you get a day before as part of the festivities. Eid is the time to give back, the time where we go visit different charities and play with orphans. What I loved most about this time of the year is the energy you feel as you walk and see the children play in the streets. I just hope that these days will be back because there is no place like home. Eid will never be back, until Syria is back.”

Muhammad Fouad, MBA, Egypt

“For me, Eid represents seeing happiness everywhere in my beloved country. It is a day that comes after 30 days of fasting, of hunger and thirst. Also it represents for me a photo album, I can literally remember every year’s Eid day. These are images of the people I love, whom I did not see for a while, but we all gather to meet on that day. Eid has some great memories that I can never forget...memories of little me running to my parents on Eid day to take my Eidia from my parents. But now since I’m older, I have to give that Eidia to my young cousins and my younger brother. Memories of the purest happiness a person can ever have can be compared to the happiness of Eid.”

Omar Ali, MBA, Egypt

“I can still remember the sound of the call to Eid prayer when I was a child, waking up with my cousins barely able to get out of bed and heading to the mosque to start the three days of joy and family. We’d celebrate each year by starting with Eid prayer at the mosque and then touring around the houses of cousins, grandparents and other relatives to celebrate Eid with them and of course collect Eidia. Once the WHOLE family’s gathered at my grandparents’ house, we’d then head out like a small army to raid one of our favorite restaurants to celebrate the first lunch after Ramadan. Eid is a time when joy is spread all over Egypt, a time for family, friends and forgiveness. Growing up, you start developing your own customs, as in my case half a kilo of steak for each family member. After that we join the family back home for Kahk and Ghorayeba (Egyptian sweets associated with Eid).”

Usman Aliyu Mohammed, MBA, Nigeria

“Eid al-Fitr popularly known as ‘small Sallah’ in Nigeria is the day after the completion of the Ramadan. To me, it is a day of celebration where people wear new clothes and greet each other saying ‘’Barka Da Sallah” which means greetings on Sallah day. There is usually a lot of eating and exchanging delicious food with neighbors including non-Muslims. I mostly spend the Sallah days in Kano (a city in northern Nigeria). After Eid prayer we usually go for a local event called ‘’hawan sallah’’ which is the climbing of horses in which you have one of the few opportunities to see the Emir (ruler) of the state with his entourage in a convoy of horses riding around the city. My most profound memory of Eid Fitr (Small Sallah) was in 2011 when I rode a horse for the first time with royal family and getting to see the love the people have for their traditional rulers which by far exceeds the love and respect to the president. Now, for the first time in more than 50 years after the death of the sitting Emir Alh. Ado Bayero, Sallah day this year is going to see a new royal head and the Celebrations will still continue deep into the nights.”

Bilal Noorgat, MBA, South Africa

“Eid-ul-fitr is my favorite day of the year. What makes it so special is that I get out of Johannesburg and fly home to see my family and friends. Except for this year, I will be celebrating with my HULT family. The day starts at 5 am with prayers followed by a HUGE breakfast. When I was a kid, my favorite part was collecting Eidi from my uncles, aunts and grandparents. But now that I’m all grown up, I realize it’s about family and sharing and being grateful….Oh and good food all day long.”

Tariq Sadek, MIB, USA

“Eid isn’t something that really begins; rather it’s something that ends. It ends the long nights of prayer and devotion, it ends a month of abstaining from food and drink, and most of all it ends the special joy of Ramadan. However, I love Eid. I love the frantic mornings of getting dressed up; I love the exchanging of gifts, of reciting the Takbeer, and of course the special Salat. However, what I love most were those nights before Eid. The nights I spent with my family making candy bags to pass out to the little children after Eid prayer. The nights my family came together for hours and hours to make hundreds and hundreds of little bags. It wasn’t an easy task, but watching those little kids so shyly accept our gift and subsequently watching their eyes light up with pure joy made it all worth it. I think it is at those moments that I am most happy; because it was at that moment I realized giving was the best form of receiving.”

Ali Darei, MIB, UAE

“For me, Eid is always started with the Eid prayers in the morning, followed by family and friends meeting in the majlis. The reason behind the meeting is to wish each other Eid Mubarak, have a nice meal with everyone around, and catch up. Later on, as a family we start visiting the closest families and friends, and sometimes they come to visit us in our house. After a long day with the family, I leave at night to my friends’ majlis, where all of us come to sit down and play cards, drink coffee\tea and share our Ramadan and Eid stories. In the end we go to a restaurant for dinner to end the day.”

Sameera Kashmiri, MBA, UAE

“For me, Eid carries a distinctive meaning and spirit. It is not just a holiday to immerse in worldly pleasures, but it is also an occasion to increase in good deeds; a determination to continue in obedience and submission to Allah. As I child, I always received Eidi from my parents along with my favorite soft-toys, and like any other kid, it instantly brought happiness and pleasure to my heart. However, having grown older now, the only thing that changed is soft-toys being replaced with my favorite Chocolates. Apart from that, we give treats to children (nieces and nephews) and enjoy visits with friends and families. To me, Eid is that special time of the year in which I spend it with my family that gives me a sense of generosity and gratitude which colors these festivities.”

Layla Khalaf, MIB, Saudi Arabia

“Eid is being at Home in Saudi Arabia.

Eid is visiting my grandparent's house, and being stuff with delicious food.

Eid is wearing my most colorful, and unique thobe.

Eid is eating as much chocolate & sweets as possible, and not worrying about gaining weight.

Eid is about driving down Tahlia road, and looking out the window at the decorative streetlights.

Eid is the full moon shining so brightly, and lighting up the night sky.

Eid is receiving my Eidiya (money).

Eid is about reflecting over the past month of Ramadan, and holding onto its peacefulness. 

Eid is making a less fortunate child smile.

Eid is finding myself surrounded by the laughter, giggles, yelling, and echoes of family members.

Eid is soaking up the rays and dipping into the blueness of the Red Sea.

Eid is thanking God for his blessings, and appreciating them.

Eid is the start of something new, something positive, something hopeful.”

As a child, Eid to me was taking a day off school (in the U.S.) and going to the masjid to see my friends and extended family, where all the kids would line up and get their eidia from the dads (usually a dollar bill and a toy). After that, we’d all go into the play area and sing Eid-related songs.

As I grew older and moved to Egypt, my perspective on Eid changed. To me, it became about spending time with my family and catching up on everything. In the morning, we'd go to prayer and go to the beach. After a late breakfast, the dads in the family would start passing around eidias and we'd all go stash them so our siblings don’t take them.

Now that I’m in the UAE, Eid is about taking time to actually sit down with my parents, close family friends and spend time with them talking and laughing about ods and ends. I wouldn't give up this time for the world and it always makes me happy every year.

So, on behalf of all The Desert Daily editors, Hult staff and our students around the world...Eid Mubarak!

HULT DUBAI NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE 

 (In order of distance from campus)

  1. TECOM 

Distance from Hult?            

15 – 35 minute walk (route passes through air conditioned metro tunnel.)

2-5 minute taxi ride (10 AED flat fee)

Nearest Metro Stop? 

Dubai Internet City

  What is it like?           

Modest-height apartment buildings scattered amidst small hotels and hotel apartments. New cafes and fast food restaurants opening all the time. Convenience stores and beauty salons on every corner and a big Carrefour located right in the middle of the neighborhood.

  Favorite thing about it?           

Generally affordable apartments, pretty much anything you need is within walking distance and it’s super close to school.

  Anything you don’t like?

There’s a lot of construction going on around the neighborhood, which can be a nuisance depending on where in Tecom you live.

  Neighborhood highlights?           

Ego urban lounge (reggae and hip-hop underground nightclub at Boutique 7 hotel), The Moving Image Museum, Byblos Hotel (features Crown & Lion English pub, outdoor lounge with a big-screen that shows live football and rugby matches, karaoke club and more), Bikram Yoga Middle East studio and MMA Fitness Center.

2. THE GREENS

   Distance from Hult?

35-45 min walk

5-7 minutes by taxi (10-12 AED)

  Nearest Metro Stop?            

Dubai Internet City

  What is it like?                                             

A family-friendly, cozy cluster of villas and low-rise apartment

buildings surrounded by lush greenery.

  Favorite thing about it?           

The beautiful park that runs through the neighborhood has a small lake and a few benches. There are also several grassy patches that are perfect for outdoor picnics during the cooler months.

  Anything you don’t like?

Grocery store (Choitram’s) and convenience store options are more pricey than in nearby Tecom, so if you’re on a budget, you may have to go out of the neighborhood for your essentials. Also, it’s a bit of a walk to the metro, so most people who live there have cars or take taxis.

  Neighborhood highlights? 

Several coffee shops with outdoor seating and wifi; Nando’s, and The Greens Center – a community shopping center with small boutiques and a marble-slab ice-cream shop.

3. AL BARSHA

Distance from Hult?

20-30 minutes by Metro (average door-to-door; from apartment door to Hult's door that is!)

10-15 minutes by taxi (around 15-20 AED)

  Nearest Metro Stops?           

Sharaf DG and Mall of the Emirates

  What is it like?           

Small to modest-height apartment buildings spread out across a large area that spans two metro stations. Many cheap fast food restaurants in the area, especially Indian and Asian restaurants. 

  Favorite thing about it?           

Very affordable apartments, typically, and it’s close to Mall of the Emirates.

  Anything you don’t like?

In terms of food price and quality, there’s lots of cheap eats in the neighborhood, and some fine dining (expensive) options at Mall of the Emirates and the nearby hotels, but not much in-between.

Neighborhood highlights?           

Al Barsha Pond Park (has a running track, volleyball, tennis and basketball courts and FLOWERS!!) and Lulu Hypermarket (like a massive Walmart. You’ll waste hours of your life in here!)

4. JLT (JUMEIRAH LAKE TOWERS)

Distance from Hult?

30-35 minutes by Metro, (average door-to-door)

10-15 minutes by taxi (15-20 AED)

  Nearest Metro Stops?           

Dubai Marina and JLT

  What is it like?

A massive development of about 80 skyrise towers constructed around several lakes and organised into alphabetical “clusters”.

  Favorite thing about it?           

Lots of outdoor recreation options during cooler months. Also, it’s just a footbridge walk away from Dubai Marina, but offers more affordable rental rates.

  Anything you don’t like?

The road system is unclear and tends to change often as construction around the area progresses. Also, there are ample convenience stores but you’ll have to go one Metro stop over to IBN Battuta Mall get to a big-box grocery store.

  Neighborhood highlights?

JLT Park (jogging track and half-court basketball); Jazz @ Pizza Express (live music and affordable brunch) and McGettigan’s (great for live football and rugby games).

5. DUBAI MARINA

  Distance from Hult?

30-40 minutes by Metro, (average door-to-door; note that some areas of the Marina are not easily accessible by Metro)

10-15 minutes by taxi (15-20 AED)

  Nearest Metro Stops?           

Dubai Marina and JLT

  What is it like?

A sprawling waterfront development of luxury high-rise residential

buildings. It’s a city within itself!

  Favorite thing about it?           

There’s a lot to keep you entertained in the area and the beach is nearby.

  Anything you don’t like?

Area-traffic tends to be heavy a lot of the time, particularly because of ongoing tram construction. The tram is scheduled to open in November so this should become less of an issue by then.

  Neighborhood highlights?

Dubai Marina Yacht Club; Dubai Marina Mall; Marina Promenade, Grovesnor House hotel (Buddha Bar, Toro Toro, Embassy and more). and The Address hotel (Shades rooftop lounge for the cocktails with a view and Blends bar for ladies’ night).

6. JBR (JUMEIRAH BEACH RESIDENCE)

Distance from Hult?

40-50 minutes by Metro, (average door-to-door; note that most of JBR is not easily serviced by metro)

10-15 minutes by taxi (15-20 AED)

  Nearest Metro Stop?           

Dubai Marina (You might luck out and find a place that’s within a 10-minute walk of this stop)

  What is it like?

A waterfront community of 35 residential towers and 5 hotels located

against the Persian Gulf within the Dubai Marina area.

  Favorite thing about it?           

The never-ending selection of dining options and easy beach access.

  Anything you don’t like?

The area can get noisy on the weekends when droves of people hang out along The Walk. Traffic on weekends and during peak hours is insane and,like JLT, there are ample convenience stores but you’ll have to go out of the area to get to a big-box grocery store.

  Neighborhood highlights?

JBR Beach (also known as Marina Beach); “The Walk at JBR” (promenade featuring restaurants and boutiques), and “The Beach” (a newly-opened beachfront mall and entertainment center).

7. DISCOVERY GARDENS

  Distance from Hult?

45 minutes to 1 hour by Metro (average door-to-door)

15-20 minutes by taxi (25-30 AED)

  Nearest Metro Stops?           

Nakheel and Ibn Battuta

  What is it like?                  

A family-oriented residential community comprised of villas and low-rise apartment buildings featuring courtyard gardens complete with swimming pools, tennis courts, children’s play areas, jogging and cycling trails, and more.

  Favorite thing about it?           

It’s a green neighborhood and offers the most affordable, spacious apartments without going unreasonably far away from campus.

 Anything you don’t like?

Traffic in and out of the area can get intense during rush hours and most residents take a bus to the metro, or just drive, so the commute can be long.

Neighborhood highlights?

Ibn Battuta Mall (much less congested than the other big malls with generally lower prices).

“My key skill has been enhancing productivity in teams and organizations by providing tools for personal and professional development,” says Alycia.

“I have seven years of management experience and successfully managed an intercultural staff of 30 while working in China. I also worked with human resource departments to recruit and prepare expats in their transitions and provided cross-cultural training for the local and foreign staff. Through this experience I discovered my niche for coaching expats, primarily helping directors manage their lives while living abroad and honing their leadership skills.”

Anyone who knows Alycia knows that she enjoys sharing her savvy and practical way of looking at the world to help others discover their power within. So we are excited to share her tips with you!

10 Tips for Effective Time Management

by Alycia D. Griffin

(Pre-Study Tips)

1.     Get organized!

First things first, have a weekly planner that you can keep on you at all times and update it regularly.

 2.     Prioritize

To avoid feeling overwhelmed start with the “no brainers,” (the small task that does not require much time or effort to complete.)  It will give you a sense of accomplishment and will motivate you to complete your other task.

3.     Determine your stamina

Be realistic about how long you can be productive in one sitting and stick to it. 

4.     Plan to work during your most productive time of day

Are you a night owl? Are you an early bird? Good thing is it does not matter, as long as that time works for you. 

  (During Your Study Time)

5.     Eat proper snacks

Eating nutrient-rich foods such as fruits, nuts and yogurt, will improve your mental alertness.

6.     Say NO to social media

For obvious reasons it’s a DISTRACTION.  Larry Rosen, a professor at California State University-Dominguez Hills, conducted a study which showed students could not study for more than two minutes without distracting themselves with social media.

7.     Study-buddy

It is ok to study with a buddy, but I recommend that you study by yourself first then use the study time with your buddy as a review.

8.     Manage time in increments

Studies have shown that studying for 45 minutes followed by a 10 min break increases productivity.

9.     Find a proper study area

Your bed is not one of them, end of story.

   (Post-Study)

10.  Reward yourself!

Ramadan Traditions

Iftar

At sunset (Maghrib), Muslims break their fast. It is customary to break fast by eating dates, salads or soup. There are numerous dishes that are mainly made during Ramadan, such as Harees (an Emirati dish). Additionally, Arabic-style deserts are very popular (and sometimes hard to get!). It is highly recommended to try an iftar somewhere traditional.

Suhoor

This is the “first meal of the day,” eaten anytime before sunrise (around 5 am Dubai time). However, many Muslims eat this meal at any time during the night depending on what time they sleep.

Eid al-Fitr

After the month is over, upon sighting of the new moon, Ramadan culminates with Eid al-Fitr - a major celebration in which families, friends and neighbors come together to feast on meats and decadent dishes.

Tarawih Prayers

Tarawih prayers are extra prayers performed by Muslims at night. These prayers are not compulsory, but they are prayers performed after Isha' prayers. Tarawih are a means of completing the recitation of the Quran during Ramadan as an act of religious devotion. 

Guidelines for Ramadan in Dubai

Working Hours & Time

During Ramadan in Dubai, time seems to slow down to a crawl, mainly due to shorter working hours and the thousands of tired, caffeine-deprived Muslims.

Food & Drink

In the UAE, it is illegal for adults to eat, drink or smoke in public during daylight hours. Cafes & restaurants are closed all day and will open for Iftar (the breaking of the fast). However, bear in mind that some restaurants keep their delivery and/or take-out services running all day.

Alcohol

Generally, most bars & restaurants are not allowed to serve alcohol to Muslims at any time of the year. However, during Ramadan, not only do the bars & restaurants refuse to serve drinks, but they also open from 7:00 pm (or after Maghrib prayers).

Music & Entertainment

Aside from traditional music played in some Arabic restaurants, there is no music allowed during Ramadan. This means that clubs are closed and pubs, bars & restaurants will not play any music.

Clothing

While men & women are generally expected to dress somewhat modestly in public places in the UAE, during Ramadan it is advised to dress more modestly than normal. Avoid tight and revealing clothes and cover your shoulders and knees. The plus side is beaches, parks and hotel pools remain open as usual.

Do’s & Don’ts During Ramadan

Do...

Exchange Ramadan greetings such as “Ramadan Kareem” which translates into “Have a blessed Ramadan”

Join in charitable activities, such as donations of food and money.

Be mindful of your social media posts. Make sure that what you are re-tweeting, sharing or updating will not offend your Muslim friends

Take a gift, dates or desert to you host if you are invited to share Iftar. It is highly recommended that you experience an “at home” Iftar. They are very special and humbling.

Don’t...

Eat, drink, chew gum, or smoke in public. Not only is it illegal, but some Muslims may find it very disrespectful.

Play your music too loudly. Try to contain the sound within your car’s interior.

Pick fights or get into debates or arguments. Swearing in public is usually frowned upon, and is especially offensive during Ramadan.

Leave dinner reservations to the last minute. Try to book at least 3-4 days in advance, as many families go to restaurants together to break fast during Ramadan.

Some Terms to Know

“Ramadan Kareem” –-- “Have a blessed Ramadan”

“Siyam Kareem” –-- “Have a blessed Fasting”

“Taqabbal Allah” –-- “May Allah accept your fasting/prayers”

“Eid Mubarak” –-- “Have a blessed Eid”

Immersing Yourself in the Culture of Ramadan 

My favorite place in Dubai during Ramadan is the Asateer Tent, Atlantis, The Palm. Another place I would recommend visiting is the Ramadan Majlis at Dubai World Trade Center. However, without doubt, the best and most awe-inspiring place to immerse yourself in culture, religion and the Ramadan spirit is at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.

I recommend that you keep an eye on GulfNews, The National and Time Out Dubai for Iftar locations, night markets, special offers and much more about Ramadan happenings.

Links for More Information (Click to View)

Time Out Dubai's "Ultimate Ramadan Guide"

Six Questions About Ramadan

Guidelines for Spending Ramadan in Dubai

Describe yourself in one word: Driven 

Least-known Fact about you: I'm a Bikram yoga fan.

  Item you’ve checked off your bucket list: Flew over Ha Long Bay in a helicopter.

  Favorite thing about Dubai: Interacting with persons of different cultures many times per day.

  Post-graduation plans: Working and living in Dubai.

  Quote/motto that you live by: "Question, understand and improve".

Describe yourself in one word: Optimistic 

Least-known Fact about you: I wanted to be a doctor when I was young.

  Item you’ve checked off your bucket list: Master's Degree.

  Favorite thing about Dubai: Safety

  Post-graduation plans: Travel

  Quote/motto that you live by: "Assume good until proven otherwise".

1. “Develop an expertise in Google Maps” – Vaibhav Sharda, MBA ’14

Definitely get the Google Maps mobile app if you don’t already have it. There are about 50 places in Dubai with the name “Jumairah” and another dozen or so with “Emirates” in the title.  Furthermore, you won’t want to rely on asking for directions. Directions in the UAE are like executive summaries: abstract and brief. Whereas an American may instruct you to “walk about 10 feet straight ahead, turn right and it’ll be the third building on your left, building number 12,” a UAE resident will say: “Go straight and turn right” and you’ll be hard pressed to get much more out of them than that! 

2. “Weekends here are Friday & Saturday” – Andréa Skerritt, MBA ‘14

In this part of the world it’s taken for granted that weekends are Friday – Saturday, so it isn’t a fact that comes to mind right away when sharing tips with incoming newbies. Imagine my surprise when I got here and tried to schedule an apartment viewing on Friday, which is considered the Holy Day in Islam (in the same way that Sunday is the Holy Day for Christians).  After spending my entire life on a Saturday-Sunday weekend schedule, it’s something I still haven’t gotten fully accustomed to, but it’s kind of nice to relax on Fridays when my friends in the West are still lamenting about work.

3. “The Dubai metro is cool, but it doesn't take you to everywhere in Dubai, so budget a fair share of money for taxi fare.” – Niyaz Nazar, MBA ‘14

The Dubai metro services major commercial and residential areas and, for everywhere else, taxis are quite cheap. However, it should also be known that renting a car, although cheap, can be complicated depending on where you’re from.

For Americans, according to USA Today: “A U.S. driver's license is valid in the UAE, but only for non-resident visitors. If you have a residency visa, such as might be the case for students or those in the UAE in business, you must get either a local driver's license or already have an international driver's license.”

(Photo courtesy GulfBusiness.com)

4. “Speaking of Taxi's, there is a base fare of 10 AED. Meaning, if your ride only costs 5.50 AED, you still have to pay the happy cab driver an additional 4.50 AED to cover the base fare.” – Nofi Mojidi, MBA ‘14

Nofi’s advice: “Stay in the cab for the heck of it, even if parked outside of your destination. Get your money's worth! Happy taxi-ing! :)”

Another thing to keep in mind is the fact that taxi drivers become visibly perturbed when you hand them a 100 AED note to pay your fare, as they seldom have change. This is largely due to the fact that the ATMs here don't disperse notes smaller than 100 AED, so on any given day, these drivers have more than 50% of their passengers trying to pay a 15 AED fare with a 100 AED note. Until the day that these drivers figure out the best way to start their day with enough change on-hand to make everyone happy, you're best off ensuring you keep a few 10s and 20s on you at all times. 

(Photo courtesy Likeclubs.com) 

5. “Wear whatever you want.” – Jessica Rowald Brown, MBA ‘14

Western media tends to paint a very limited, skewed picture of life in the Middle East, particularly when it comes to attire. Just know that in Dubai, while you should definitely cover yourself in mosques and wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees in the malls, you can dress like you normally would pretty much everywhere else. Nightlife attire in Dubai is no different from what you’ll find in cities like London, New York, Paris and Los Angeles so don’t hesitate to pack your dancing shoes and that killer dress.

6. “There are many sports associations that you can join for free or for a small fee to do sports and get to know people.” – Moulay Idris Yacoubi, MBA ‘14

Some recommendations from Moulay include the Dubai Creek Striders for running/marathons, and TriDubai for triathlons. 

7. “Go Shopping in Old Dubai” – Vaibhav Sharda, MBA ’14

Not only will you save a lot of money by buying your electronics, souvenirs and other items in areas like Bur Dubai and Deira, but you’ll get an unforgettable cultural experience (and great food!) in the process. To get a good deal, Vaibhav also suggests making “full use of Groupon, Cobone.com, etc.”

8. “The people at Barasti look like Gods and Goddesses so get your body right! Lol”  -- Randall Fernanders, MIB ‘14

Dubai residents take their appearance very seriously. You can tell by the display of summer-ready beach bodies found at Kite Beach, Barasti beach and poolside at all the fabulous hotels all year-round.  There are also salons/spas every 2 km, literally, just know that they are not unisex, and the women-only salons and spas are masked by wall-to-wall signage or blacked-out windows to protect the privacy of the women inside.

9. “Oh yeah, and alcohol is expensive and not served in some restaurants. No one told me that”  -- Randall Fernanders, MIB ‘14

The rule is…if it’s in a hotel, the restaurant can serve alcohol, and most restaurants here are either in or attached to a hotel…but of course there are exceptions. That said, cocktail prices at some restaurants are quite high. However, women can rejoice as there’s a “ladies’ night” almost every night of the week offering free libations, so keep an eye on www.ladiesnightdubai.com.  For the guys, there are happy hours all around town available to both men and women, you just have to ask around to know where and when they take place. You can also legally purchase up to 4 liters (approx. 5 bottles) of duty free alcohol upon arrival at the Dubai airport.

10. “When it comes to food and fashion, there are very few Western retailers/chains that I haven’t found in Dubai!” – Andréa Skerritt, MBA ‘14

Before moving here, I knew about the mall-obsession in Dubai, but I expected to find mostly regional and some European retailers in said malls. To my pleasant surprise, I found the likes of Forever 21, Kate Spade, C Wonder, Express, Steve Madden, H & M, Sephora, Khiel’s, Bloomingdales…I could go on and on. There are also American restaurant chains like IHOP, Cheesecake factory, Johnny Rockets, Shake Shack, Fuddruckers….British favorites like Ben’s Cookies and Hummingbird Bakery, and even the popular Pakistani restaurant BBQ Tonight. The only thing you won’t find are mega-pharmacies like Walgreens and Rite Aid, so you’ll have to resort to scouring the shelves of Carrefour grocery, LuLu Hypermarket or your neighborhood Bin Sina for your preferred personal care products and over-the-counter medications.

For more tips on life in the Middle East, check out these timely BuzzFeed articles:

27 Amazing Things About Living in the Middle East 

11 Things Foreigners Will Never Get About the Middle East

Describe yourself in one word: Determined

  Least-known Fact about you: I play four musical instruments and can read musical scores. :)

  Item you've checked off your bucket list: Lived abroad!!! Got out of my comfort zone.

  Favorite thing about Dubai: Efficient and clean metro system.

  Post-graduation plans: Find funding for African social enterprises.

  Quote/motto that you live by: If you want to be successful as much as you want to breathe, then you will be successful. 

Describe yourself in one word: AWESOME

  Least-known Fact about you: I am a fake German. I have a French ID.

  Item you've checked off your bucket list: Understand Arabic and Indian culture.

  Favorite thing about Dubai: No winter, finally!

  Post-graduation plans: Supply chain in the automotive industry.