Now that we're back on US soil, I want to reflect over some of the amazing things we learned and took away from our time in the UAE. Here are some fast facts about the UAE that encompass a few aspects of the country:
(1) There are 7 emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al-Khaimah, Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain
(2) The main language is Arabic with English as a second language and the majority religion is Islam
(3) Oil was first discovered in the United Arab Emirates in 1958 at the Murban Bab Oil Field. Abu Dhabi is now the only region left with oil. While most of Dubai's wealth came from oil, they are now trying to move to a commercially based economy
(4) Before oil was discovered, Dubai made most of their money from pearling
(5)Abu Dhabi subsidizes most of the other emirates
(6) 85% of the territory is in Abu Dhabi
(7) As an expat, you don't have to pay taxes on income, but there isn't any free health care or free education and there are no pension plans for retirement. For private education, the average cost is $20,000/year. But employees do get 30 days paid vacation every year
(8) Due to the extreme hot weather, many UAE residents travel during the summer months
(9) Wood is a status symbol because they had such few trees so everything needed to be imported. Homes were for the wealthy and the tents and huts were where the commoners or bedouin lived
(10) The dirham is pegged to the U.S. dollar
(11) Some of the only fresh water found in the country is in a city called Al Ain that is located in Abu Dhabi and on the border of Oman
The UAE has developed as a country at an incredibly rapid pace. For such a young country, they have made incredible progress from their abstract architecture, to the rapid development of infrastructure, to the diversity they have achieved in their cities. There are so many attributes of the UAE that make it unique, yet relatable like the great cosmopolitan wonders known as Dubai and the classic Arabian culture center like Abu Dhabi. One thing is for sure, their goal was to shatter our misconceptions about the Middle East and the UAE, as an entity in the Middle East, and they definitely accomplished that. The plans they have for the future development of the cities and tourism goals they have set to achieve, are only going to take the country new levels and it will be exciting to see it unfold in the coming years. Enjoy some of these photos form various outings on our trip.
From the whole group, we want to thank Dr. Shah and our tour guide Lourdes for planning an incredible trip, that allowed the perfect amount of study and self discovery. We all will definitely remember this trip for years to come!
(1) There are 7 emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al-Khaimah, Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain
(2) The main language is Arabic with English as a second language and the majority religion is Islam
(3) Oil was first discovered in the United Arab Emirates in 1958 at the Murban Bab Oil Field. Abu Dhabi is now the only region left with oil. While most of Dubai's wealth came from oil, they are now trying to move to a commercially based economy
(4) Before oil was discovered, Dubai made most of their money from pearling
(5)Abu Dhabi subsidizes most of the other emirates
(6) 85% of the territory is in Abu Dhabi
(7) As an expat, you don't have to pay taxes on income, but there isn't any free health care or free education and there are no pension plans for retirement. For private education, the average cost is $20,000/year. But employees do get 30 days paid vacation every year
(8) Due to the extreme hot weather, many UAE residents travel during the summer months
(9) Wood is a status symbol because they had such few trees so everything needed to be imported. Homes were for the wealthy and the tents and huts were where the commoners or bedouin lived
(10) The dirham is pegged to the U.S. dollar
(11) Some of the only fresh water found in the country is in a city called Al Ain that is located in Abu Dhabi and on the border of Oman
The UAE has developed as a country at an incredibly rapid pace. For such a young country, they have made incredible progress from their abstract architecture, to the rapid development of infrastructure, to the diversity they have achieved in their cities. There are so many attributes of the UAE that make it unique, yet relatable like the great cosmopolitan wonders known as Dubai and the classic Arabian culture center like Abu Dhabi. One thing is for sure, their goal was to shatter our misconceptions about the Middle East and the UAE, as an entity in the Middle East, and they definitely accomplished that. The plans they have for the future development of the cities and tourism goals they have set to achieve, are only going to take the country new levels and it will be exciting to see it unfold in the coming years. Enjoy some of these photos form various outings on our trip.
From the whole group, we want to thank Dr. Shah and our tour guide Lourdes for planning an incredible trip, that allowed the perfect amount of study and self discovery. We all will definitely remember this trip for years to come!
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