Tips to Succeed As an International Student in the UAE

Posted by Anna Smith on September 28th, 2018

Studying abroad and doing it well can be a daunting challenge, no matter which part of the world one decides to head to. The change in environment, culture, landscape, and people is often too much for many. However, there is also no doubt about the positives and great benefits that a study abroad experience brings. In this piece, we would share some tips to help you successfully navigate your study abroad journey, with a special focus on Dubai (UAE).  

Before going any further, you need to find the best transaction advisory services in Dubai has to offer. Apart from that, once you land at your new destination, be quick to get an appropriate place to stay, and understand the transport services to and from your university campus. A major challenge is getting to know new people and making good friends who would be there for you when you need them. This is can be a daunting task for those of us who have reserved personalities. That being said, one of the major benefits of studying abroad is you have the opportunity to meet some wonderful people from different parts of the world. And in order to help you successfully wade through these challenges, we have put together a list of tips to help you succeed socially as an international student in a foreign land.

Read on to find how you can have a wonderful study abroad experience.

1)      Take Advantage of Your University Surroundings

Now that this wonderful study abroad opportunity has presented itself, do whatever you can to make the most of it and don’t just stay in your comfort zone. Reach out to your batch mates by initiating conversations and discuss study as well as hangout plans. If the nature of your study program requires group work, then try staying behind after class and have a chat with your classmates over lunch or coffee. Show genuine interest in other students and get to know them on a more personal level. Learn about their backgrounds, cultures, worldviews, and life experiences. More often than not, you will end up cultivating lifelong friendships because others will be taken in by your warmth and friendly attitude and will be genuinely interested in your story.

2)      Step Outside Your Little Safe Zone

This has already been stated but its importance cannot be overstated. During your time studying in a foreign land, you will meet many different types of people. However, choosing the ones to be good friends with is a major challenge. You will have to take the initiative and make an effort. In such circumstances, most students look to find people from their own countries and stick together. While this is a great option, we suggest that you should not hesitate to branch out and mix with the locals as well as people from other countries who are international students just like you. Look for shared interests. Join student clubs and societies related to activities that interest you. Go for different activities outside the campus with these new people. Discuss accessing shared services with them, like where to find the best transaction advisory services Dubai has to offer, where to find shared transport and ride-hailing services, etc. Just do not stay in your little bubble. Go out there and meet people. You will thank your stars that you did.     

3)      Don’t Hesitate to Do Things Alone If Need Be

This is something you would probably have not even thought of back home. It would seem absolutely unthinkable to go to the movies alone or have dinner out alone because you had friends and family around you all the time. But now that you are in a new place pretty much all by yourself, doing things alone should not seem like a big deal. Your cluster of buddies and acquaintances will no longer be there with you. Guess what? This isn’t something to be worried about. Make some new friends by doing what we have suggested in previous points. If you don’t have anyone to accompany you to any event, movies, shopping, or for a night out on the town, do not hesitate to go it alone. And whilst there, initiate a meaningful conversation with someone. More often than not, the other person will be grateful that you took the initiative and reached out. You might find it hard to believe but doing this is far simpler than how it seems here.

Studying abroad will always be a challenge. But a little bit of effort can go a long way in creating ease for you. Keep it simple and you won’t have any problems making new friends.