The Underrated Abu Dhabi
BY Situ-coralie Amega
Compared to other study abroad locations, Abu Dhabi is one of the least popular. However, after spending a semester here, I can confidently say that Abu Dhabi is underrated. I’ve made so many amazing memories and learned a lot about the world and myself. Abu Dhabi is an experience I would highly recommend to anyone. The city is beautiful and has a nice vibe to it, especially if you’re looking for a change of pace. And so, I’m here to show you the recognition that Abu Dhabi deserves. Here are some of the must-do activities when studying abroad in Abu Dhabi!
An orientation to remember
One of the first activities I did when I arrived in Abu Dhabi was go on a desert safari experience as part of NYU’s orientation. This was one of the first of the many activities NYU would set up for us!
We departed from campus and made our way to the desert in 4x4s. Upon arriving, our drivers went from giving us a peaceful drive to driving on the large sand dunes. We were thrown around in the car, enjoying an exhilarating experience. After the thrilling ride, we arrived at the main area. We were met with a falcon trainer who demonstrated a live practice hunting for food. After all, the falcon is the most culturally symbolic animal of the UAE. The sunset in the desert had a striking beauty. As the sun went down, we sandboarded and took camel rides. We also drank tea, got henna tattoos, held the falcons on our arms, and enjoyed various performances like belly dancing and a fire show. We ended the eventful day by stargazing in the peace and quiet of the desert.
The next day, we visited the highly esteemed Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. As the largest mosque in the world, its stunning beauty and architecture blew me away. At that point, I knew it was going to be a great semester.
The Louvre, Abu Dhabi
Everyone knows the famous Louvre museum in the heart of Paris, but did you know the museum also has a location right here in Abu Dhabi too? I didn’t, but I was pleasantly surprised. The Louvre Abu Dhabi is a vision in white: a beautiful building built from traditional and urban Arabic architecture. It is surrounded by sea water and even has an indoor-outdoor area on water. The museum features a wide variety of exhibitions, ranging from Italian Renaissance paintings to ancient Egyptian artifacts. At the time I visited, it even had a rehabilitation pool filled with sea turtles!
The Three Abrahamic Faiths
A site that recently opened in Abu Dhabi is the Abrahamic Family House. The key features of the area are a mosque, synagogue, and church. Visiting the Abrahamic Family House, I was moved by the whole experience because of how it ties all three religions together. What this shows is tolerance, acceptance, and respect, all of which are values that the UAE has been promoting for years. Additionally, the Abrahamic Family House helps break away from the preconceptions people usually have about the Middle East. I felt true peace when visiting the site.
The next Lewis Hamilton?
With NYU, I was able to visit the Yas Marina Circuit where they hold Formula One race events. First, we were able to participate in the karting ourselves on one of the smaller circuits. Everyone changed into their racing gear, hopped in a go-kart, and just like that, the race was on! Afterwards, we toured the facilities and ended up on the circuit where the actual races happen. For all the Formula One fans out there, visiting the circuit is a must!
Sunny weather and beaches
Considering the geography and climate of the land, the beach is the perfect place to stroll around, unwind, and even go for a swim. Abu Dhabi’s beaches are gorgeous with how clear the sand and how blue the water are. Also, when you’re looking to get off-campus and be productive, the cafes on the beach are ideal locations to get your work done. I loved going to the beach with friends when we wanted a change of scenery.
The trip to Oman
One of the most memorable moments you’ll have while studying abroad in Abu Dhabi is the NYU-sponsored trip to Oman. Every semester, NYU takes students on a weekend getaway to the lovely country Oman. We first went to the emirate and city of Ras Al-Khaimah where we had a traditional dinner sitting on the floor. The next day, we made our way to Oman, where our fun day of activities would begin. The dhow boat we went on took us out to sea while we danced to music and enjoyed snacks. Once we were anchored, the watersports began! We jumped off the boat, went for a ride on the banana boats, went snorkeling, fished for a little bit, and swam around. Everyone enjoyed the sunny weather and being able to unwind at sea. We then saw the openings to limestone caves located near the shore. It was incredibly pleasant to be able to spend the day at sea, relaxing on a boat with friends. The next day, we visited a camel farm and got to drink camel milk, eat camel ice cream, and witness a camel race.
City of Gold
No study abroad experience in Abu Dhabi is complete without a trip to the well-known emirate and city of Dubai. There are many activities to do in Dubai as the city is bubbling with energy. Coming from the hustle and bustle of the New York campus, this place felt like home. Here, there is always something to do, always a place to visit, and always a world record to bear witness to.
We visited the world-renowned Dubai Mall, home to over 1,200 stores. The first time I saw the Dubai Mall, I was in awe. Its grandeur is made evident as you walk around. For example, this mall has an ice skating rink, an aquarium, a theme park, a waterfall, and a luxury hotel. Every time I go to this mall, there is a new area to it that I discover! The mall is also home to the Dubai Fountain, which is the world’s largest fountain that performs water shows. You can enjoy a choreographed show every thirty minutes or even go for a boat ride across the fountain.
Right next to the Dubai Mall is the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. Its impressive height complements its brilliance in the sun. It is possible to tour the building and reach the highest accessible point for visitors at the 148th level. Here, you can enjoy a birds-eye view of Dubai.
NYU also took us to the Atlantis waterpark. This waterpark features a vast array of slides and lazy rivers.
Global Village is a site with a collection of different areas dedicated to different countries. They feature traditional food and merchandise from those countries. The goal is to feel like you step into a different country/continent in each area you go to. I thought this was a wonderful way of showcasing different cultures and bringing them together.
Other activities you can do here include Ain Dubai (the world’s largest ferris wheel), the Museum of the Future (a museum featuring exhibitions of what a realistic futuristic society may look like), and the Dubai Miracle Garden (the world’s largest natural flower garden).
Studying abroad in Abu Dhabi was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Whether it be the warm weather, the delicious food, the many excursions, or the wonderful people, my experience was positively shaped. If you have the opportunity to study abroad, take a chance and go to Abu Dhabi!