Living in Dubai

Students studying at RIT Dubai will live in the Dubai Silicon Oasis Student Accommodations. Newly built in 2016, the housing is approximately a 15-minute walk from campus.

Complimentary round-trip transportation is available to campus, nearby malls, and metro station. Shuttle service between housing and RIT Dubai runs Sunday-Thursday and an evening shuttle to the nearest metro station, malls, and other points of interest runs daily (including weekends).  Students can explore the city further by using the metro, bus, taxi, or Uber.

The student housing buildings are gender segregated and specific building assignments are based on student enrollment and availability. Study abroad students will be co-mingled with students from RIT Dubai and other local university students will also live within the building. Students can expect to share a bedroom, and accommodations are available in a shared in-room or shared floor kitchen. There is no meal plan option, so students must prepare their own meals or eat at nearby restaurants. The ground floor of the building houses a small grocery store, restaurant, and cafe. There are a few small convenience stores and restaurants within walking distance from housing, or students can take the shuttle service to mall/shopping areas for larger grocery stores and various restaurants. There are also two large grocery stores in the Dubai Silicon Oasis where the RIT Dubai campus is located.

Accommodations include:

• Furnishings with beds, study table, chair, lamp, shelf, built-in wardrobes, personal safe, and fridge
• Bathroom in each room
• 24/7 security
• Free Wi-Fi
• Gymnasium
• Social areas
• Free laundry services
• Free weekly basic cleaning service for rooms is available

It is essential to understand the Dubai Silicon Oasis housing policies. Information on facility services, quiet hours, guests, and alcohol policy is available in the DSOA University Residence Policy and Procedure document. Your study abroad advisor can answer any additional questions, and all students will attend a housing orientation with in-country staff once you arrive in Dubai.

In Dubai, you can enjoy a wide variety of reasonably priced food options. A small café on the RIT Dubai campus serves coffee, tea, water, soft drinks, juices, breakfast, and lunch items. You can also find many restaurants in Dubai Silicon Oasis, just a 10-minute walk from campus.

You can prepare your own meals in shared kitchens within your housing, and restaurants nearby offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Dubai's cuisine is known for its rich flavors and variety of dishes, which combine traditional Middle Eastern flavors with global influences. Food delivery in Dubai is widespread, and you can easily find various takeout options, including American, Arabic, Mediterranean, and Italian. We also encourage you to sample the colorful dishes from Thailand, China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran that you’ll find widely in Dubai.

Dubai is known for being a world-class tourist destination, and your academic experience will be enhanced by the many unique and innovative entertainment options available.

Your study abroad program will be enriched by the culture surrounding you daily. Dubai offers entertainment options that include the cinema, concerts, museums, sightseeing, indoor skiing, endless shopping, and more!

Throughout the semester, the RIT Dubai staff will arrange for several excursions for study abroad students. These excursions will be fun and provide you with a cultural knowledge of the UAE. You will receive more information on the excursions once you arrive in Dubai. Excursions may include: 

Emirati Welcome Dinner: Try Emirati food and meet other RIT Dubai students.

Dubai Desert Safari: An exciting dune drive right into the heart of the desert, where you will experience the excitement of a roller-coaster tour down the dunes of the desert. The thrill doesn’t end here - at night, a campfire is set, and you will be served a delicious BBQ dinner while you enjoy a series of unique Arabian art and music performances.

Heritage Tour and Souk visit: The heritage tour includes a walk through the Al Bastakiya neighborhood of the Al Fahidi Historic District and a visit to the Diwan Mosque. Guests return to the SMCCU house for a cultural discovery Q&A session and will be treated to Arabic tea, coffee, and dates. 'Souk' is the Arabic word for market or place where goods are brought or exchanged. Dubai has several souks scattered all over the city. Dubai souks are bright, colorful, noisy, and fascinating.

Burj Khalifa: Ride to the top of the tallest building in the world and enjoy the spectacular views of Dubai.

Visit to Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE and the largest of the six emirates. This fast-developing region has quickly become one of the more popular tourist destinations as more people discover its many attractions, including The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, The Abu Dhabi Corniche, The Heritage Village, and more.

RIT Dubai is located in the center of the Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), a business park comprising over 900 companies, many of which are partner institutions with RIT Dubai. RIT Dubai is also conveniently located a short walk to the DSO headquarters, where you can find cafes, banks, a post office, a convenience store, and more. The Dubai Metro is also easily accessible via bus from the Dubai Silicon Oasis.           

Entertainment is endless in Dubai. Coined ‘The City of Events’, it hosts some of the world's greatest musicians, performers, and athletes. Its cosmopolitan culture lends itself to learning the social etiquette necessary in today's multicultural world. Dubai has numerous fun activities, from beautiful beaches to indoor skiing. Many students often take a shuttle bus to nearby malls to shop, buy groceries, watch movies, and grab a bite. This is very cost-effective for students as they do not have to pay for transportation to access nearby shopping and entertainment.

If you wish to explore more of the city, you can take a metro or taxi ride to many points of interest that students typically visit:

Global Village Marketplace: An international cultural, entertainment, and shopping experience (pictured above). Purchase items from around the world or take in performances or shows throughout the evening. Open from November through mid-April.

IMG Worlds of Adventure Park: An indoor amusement park with rollercoasters, thrill rides and other attractions.

Dubai Fountain: The Dubai Fountain is the world's second-largest choreographed fountain system, set on the 30-acre manmade Burj Khalifa Lake in the center of Downtown Dubai.

Burj Khalifa: The tallest building in the world.

Burj Al Arab: The iconic sail-shaped hotel in Dubai.

Ski Dubai: An indoor ski resort with a 22,500-square-meter indoor ski area. It is part of the Mall of the Emirates, one of the largest shopping malls in the world.

Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo: Located in the Dubai Mall, features underwater animal exhibits and aquatic experiences.

Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding: Gain a greater appreciation of Dubai's culture and customs at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU). The SMCCU opened in 1998 to help visitors better understand the UAE's culture and customs. The institution invites guests to participate in their full activities, including a range of Arabic classes, heritage tours, and guided mosque visits.

Jumeirah Public Beach: Wide, sandy beach with palm trees and food concessions and jogging/walking track.

Kite Beach: The best spot for kite flying, playing beach volleyball, beach football and beach tennis.

JBR Walk: A great place to stroll around, enjoy the beach and have great food!

Dubai takes malls to a whole new level. They are not simply shopping destinations but entertainment experiences. The largest are:

Dubai Mall: The world’s largest and most visited shopping mall home to 1,200+ retail stores, an indoor aquarium, over 120 restaurants, an indoor theme park, and movie theaters.

Mall of the Emirates: Known as the world’s first shopping resort, includes over 600 stores, an indoor ski resort (Ski Dubai), an indoor theme park, restaurants, and movie theaters.

Dragon Mall 1 & 2: Great places to find deals on anything you can think of!

If museums are more your style, the Dubai Heritage Museum or Dubai Coffee Museum are worth visiting.

There are also many tour companies in Dubai that offer boat tours, desert safaris, cultural tours, and sightseeing tours.

RIT Dubai Student Body At-A-Glance:

1,000+ students

71% male, 29% female

Comprised of students from over 60 different countries (16% United Arab Emirates, 19% India, 9% Pakistan)

Most RIT Dubai students are involved in extracurricular activities, ranging from sports teams and recreation to clubs and volunteering in community service projects. Students enjoy working out in the gym, joining fitness classes, and participating in soccer, tennis, basketball, and volleyball games. Trips to museums, local attractions, and concerts are also available.

RIT Dubai’s student government has a wide variety of clubs to meet the demands of its students, ranging from the cultural to the athletic, and students are always encouraged to start their own. RIT Dubai has several active clubs, including The Chess Club, Humanitarian Club, Marketing Club, Media Club, Gaming Club, and Music Club. We also have an RIT Dubai Student Magazine called WRITERS.

RIT Dubai organizes activities and fun campus events like movie nights, desert safaris, and Sports Day. The current sports teams at RIT Dubai are football, basketball, volleyball, cricket, table tennis, and badminton.

Although locals in your host country will likely be understanding and not take offense at social blunders, provided they arise from ignorance rather than malice, you will be far more comfortable and welcomed if you acquaint yourself with local ways of doing things. As a guest in your host country, you must adapt to the customs and social behavior of the region—not the other way around.

Socializing and Relationships

• Norms around public displays of affection are very different than in the U.S. Holding hands is generally tolerated in public for married couples, but kissing, hugging, and other open displays of affection are not.
• Randomly addressing women in public or taking their photos without permission is frowned upon. This specifically pertains to visually identifiable religious women. 
• It is expected to take off your shoes when entering someone else’s house unless the host indicates otherwise.
• Avoid showing the soles of your shoes or feet, which implies that you think the other person is ‘dirt,’ which is highly offensive. You should, therefore, keep your feet flat on the ground and not cross your legs.
• When having visitors, your host will always serve coffee, tea, dates, sweets, and fruit to welcome you.
• Punctuality is not considered a virtue in Dubai, and you may have to wait before or during a meeting. Be patient, and do not take it as a lack of respect. Some deadlines may also be flexible, so try not to get frustrated if things do not go as planned. 
• The official weekend in the UAE is on Friday and Saturday (this means your classes will take place Sunday-Thursday). Friday is considered a holy day, so public transportation may only be run later in the day, and some things may be closed.

Dining/Meals

• It’s important to remember that if you’re dining with an Emirati friend, they may not be comfortable around drinking; therefore, try to be mindful of your company and what may make them uncomfortable. It may be advisable to first invite a new friend to a dinner where alcohol is not served. 

Safety

• The United States has had friendly relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) since 1971.
• Violent crime and crimes against property are rare. The U.S. Embassy advises all U.S. citizens to take the same security precautions in the UAE that one would practice in the U.S. or any large city abroad.
• The highest risk in Dubai is road safety. Dubai is one of the countries with the highest rate of mortality due to road accidents. It’s advisable to always wear your seat belt, and if you are ever uncomfortable with how a taxi driver or Uber driver is driving, tell them to either slow down or drive more carefully.  Most drivers will drive safely, but the speed of some drivers, tailgating, and constant lane changes make the UAE roads extra risky. 

Religion

• Dubai is tolerant and cosmopolitan, and all visitors are welcome. However, Islam is a way of life in the city; therefore, visitors should adopt a certain level of cultural and religious sensitivity for their stay.
• Islamic religious values are greatly respected in Dubai. Showing disrespect towards religious beliefs or practices is considered deeply offensive and likely to result in a heavy fine and/or legal action. Other religions are also respected and can be followed by visitors.
• During Ramadan, which is marked by prayer and fasting, government offices work a shorter day, and some sights, attractions, and restaurants close. Bars and clubs may not open until 7 pm, if they open at all. Non-Muslims should not eat, drink, chew gum, or smoke in public but do so only in private or at specially closed-off restaurants. If you see a café or restaurant covered up during this time, it’s because they are still serving drinks and food but want to be respectful to those who are fasting. 

Follow a few simple rules of respect:

• Muslims pray five times a day. You will notice that the Mosques call people to pray through a speaker system.  At this time, you will also notice public music is turned off as Muslims perform their daily prayers.
• Be aware that drivers not close to a Mosque may stop at a convenient spot to pray privately.
• Don’t walk on a prayer mat or in front of any person at prayer, and try not to stare at people who are praying.

Dress/Clothing

• Compared with certain parts of the Middle East, Dubai has a relaxed dress code. However, care should be taken not to wear clothing that may be considered inappropriate or revealing.
• At the pool or on the beaches, trunks, swimsuits, and bikinis are quite acceptable. Swimwear should not be worn in any other area outside these areas.
• Local Emiratis dress conservatively in traditional dress.
• Visitors to public places such as shopping malls, restaurants, and parks are encouraged to dress appropriately. Avoid very short skirts, dresses, short shorts, revealing tops, tank tops, and shirts with potentially offensive logos or language.
• When visiting souks, mosques, and public offices, wearing long skirts, shorts, or pants and tops that extend to the elbows is most appropriate. Women will usually be required to wear a headscarf when entering mosques.
• Be aware that if you enter public areas dressed inappropriately, you could be asked to leave (most of the larger shopping malls display signs warning that respectable clothing should be worn). 
• Good quality sunglasses, hats, or some protection for the head are advised when in direct sunlight.

Meeting and Greeting

• When greeting a member of the opposite sex who is Muslim, it is important not to offer to shake hands unless they extend their hand first – both men and women (more commonly women) may prefer not to shake hands with the opposite sex due to religious reasons.
• If you are in a meeting or at an event, it is polite to stand for authoritative figures like officials, the elderly, and women when they enter a room.

Local Laws

• Drinking alcohol in Dubai within a licensed hotel or club is legal for non-Muslims over the age of 21. Alcohol is generally only served in hotel restaurants and bars and can be expensive. Previously, restaurants that were not associated with hotels were not permitted to serve alcohol; however, now, some independent restaurants do serve alcohol.
• Being under the influence of alcohol in public is illegal and subject to legal action.
• Dubai has a zero-tolerance policy towards drinking and driving (i.e. the blood alcohol limit is 0%). You can be charged and imprisoned if you are caught with even the smallest amount of alcohol in your system.
• Drugs are strictly forbidden, even a residual amount. Consuming or carrying drugs can result in imprisonment and deportation.
• Offensive language, spitting, and aggressive behavior (including hand gestures) are viewed very seriously and can result in legal action and deportation. This includes “road rage”.
• Dubai has very strict drug/medication laws, and even certain over-the-counter medicines, especially those with codeine, are forbidden. Checking the list of controlled and banned substances from the local consulate or embassy is helpful for peace of mind. All tourists and residents of the UAE are required to fill in an electronic form to get approval to carry any kind of medication that is narcotic-based, psychotropic, or controlled medicines for personal use on their travel to the UAE.  It is best to be prepared as you may randomly be checked at the airport.  More information about bringing medication into Dubai can be found on the U.S. Dept. of State website (scroll down to the "Health" section). 

Topics to Avoid

• Be careful what you post on social media while you are in Dubai. Anything deemed political, offensive to the UAE, religion, heads of state and/or any person can result in legal action. 
• Avoid politics and religion as subjects for discussion; your opinions might be regarded as ill-informed or even offensive, even if they seem acceptable to you from a Western perspective.

Until the mid-20th century, Dubai’s economy relied heavily on fishing and pearl diving; however, with the discovery of oil in 1966, this sleepy fishing village rapidly transformed into the lively, modern city it is today. Dubai has countless modern marvels, including the world’s tallest building, impressive hotels, manmade islands off the coast, and massive shopping malls. Dubai attracts people from many different nationalities, and more than 80% of the population are citizens from other countries, making Dubai one of the most multicultural cities in the world. The streets, shopping malls, and businesses are alive with numerous languages and cultures.

Dubai has a very hot, arid climate. Summers in Dubai are extremely hot, windy, and dry, with an average high of around 104 °F and overnight lows of around 86°F. Most days are sunny throughout the year. Winters are warm, with an average high of 73°F and overnight lows of 57°F.

Remember that due to air conditioning, it can be cold inside. Packing a light sweater or jacket to wear over summer clothes is advisable since it can be cold indoors.