Daughter wants to attend American University of Sharjah

[FredS]

My daughter is in her second year at college. We have always expected that she would study abroad for a time, probably a semester. It would probably work best for this to happen in the spring '09 (January to May) term, so she recently attended a student exchange info session at her school. Her first choice to attend? The American University of Sharjah.

Okay, first I have to go read up on the United Arab Emirates. She has dated a very nice young man from Lebanon and at one point last year wanted to visit that country. Since she is legally an adult I can't forbid her from going wherever she wants, but with the warnings from the State Dept, the concern from the boyfriend that it might not be the best idea AND my refusal to fund the trip that was put off. For what it is worth, since the boyfriend is in the USA for the next two years her primary purpose can't be to visit him!

It does seem extremely interesting. We are not so much worried about safety, as we were regarding Lebanon, but that this University and area may not be friendly to Americans. There is a very small percentage of American students at AUS and she is trying to track down somewho has currently or previously attending there to get some feedback.

Anyone here familiar with UAE or Sharjah? Dubai is not too far away, but we keep running across comments on the 'net to the effect that Sharjah isn't oppressive, but is "more conservative" than Dubai, but without examples.

Before we'd let her actually attend we would have to make a visit. Plugging in some random dates when she is out of college and we have a few days to go it seems to be very expensive to fly there! Any hints on arranging flights (perhaps adding a stop or flying out of a US airport we wouldn't normally use) to get the lowest price would also be appreciated.

Other kids are perfectly happy visiting Paris or London or Rome. I would be!

 

[Katy Belle]

I sent you a PM. I'm bookmarking your post.
Katy

 

[my3disneygirls]

I think the whole area may sound scary and France or England a safer choice, but in reality every country has it's own dangers. France has had some uprisings over the past few years. England is having issues with sleeper cells and terrorist attacks. Walking in a metropolitan city in the US you face raised dangers.

The fact that it's not as easy as jumping in a car and driving to a campus does not make things any easier for you. Plus visiting her would not be a snap. Why is this her first choice? I'm just curious as to why she feels drawn to going to UAE?

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I would also find out if she is "pollitically active" such as speaking out for woments rights and so forth! While that is to be applauded here, it could cause her some problems, (and a dose of real world reality), there!

You can ALSO jump into the State departments web site and get travel information (and warnings and alerts) about visiting various countries!

 

[shortbun]

Is she an Arab Studies major or taking Arabic? If not, I can think of no reason for a young woman to want to travel to UAE. It's not a friendly country to single women who want to sightsee or are just curious.

 

[FredS]

She is a political science major. She has taken Arabic, but her minor is in French. She has already spent some time in Europe, mostly in the U.K. and seems to have a certain amount of disdain for making her student exchange to a a school in France -- sort of the "everyone does that" attitude, which is typical for her and isn't necessarily a bad trait that she would like to go a bit outside the routine.

She is not stupid, though, and I do not think that she would attempt to make a major stand for women's rights in another country, one that does not protect those who make their opposing views known! But what I would rather prevent is her going someplace that she will hate due to its anti-American or anti-women environment. We've already checked out the State Dept. website and it really wasn't much help for what we are looking for. We feel (relatively) comfortable about her personal safety, but need additional information to get a realistic feel for the atmosphere there.

As I said, it clearly isn't Saudi, and I don't expect it to be as liberal as the US. However, we would like to hear of personal experiences from those who have visited or lived in the area.

 

[FredS]

Is she an Arab Studies major or taking Arabic? If not, I can think of no reason for a young woman to want to travel to UAE. It's not a friendly country to single women who want to sightsee or are just curious.

Why do you say this?

 

[Uuaww]

many countries with DoS warnings are very safe places. I know all about them. UAE is probably the safest of all the countries in the middle east, and Dubai itself is top notch. I don't know anything about Sharjah, but if its near Dubai, she will be fine. That city especially has become a haven for tourism. The locals know this and are less strict about certain muslim cultures there. I personally visited Dubai last year and can give you more info if you need it.

 

[FredS]

There are plenty of places that I think would not be good for a single woman to travel alone. These include many "safe" places in Europe! I have female friends and relatives who have traveled to Italy, for instance, and had major problems with strange men who were ridiculously "touchy" with them. And there were always issues with pickpockets and other theft.

In my part of the country, these is a lot of curiosity and interest in foreigners, and most people would bend over backwards to be hospitable and friendly. I know that is not necessarily the case everywhere. It wouldn't be necessary for everyone to open their home to her, but I really wouldn't want her to go if the locals were hostile to Americans.

 

[tinker&belle]

No personal experience, but found this by googling "women's rights and sharjah":

http://media.www.tuftsdaily.com/med...ights.The.Arab.World.And.Beyond-1490663.shtml

 

[donald&daisy]

Well if she is wanting practice her Arabic there is a university in Morocco that my school used. I had a two good friends who went and had a great time.

 

[chris1gill]

Personally, I would go and check it out personally. I have a friend who has been to UAE many times and she is a white woman, married but her husband does not go with her as she is on business... she very much likes it in Dubai, and she's not had a problem. Our family is planning to go one of these trips....

Someone mentioned Morocco, but they have certainly had their problems as well, so I would look at all options... But, UAE for the most part does not see the problems other Muslim countries have seen as they are more Liberal.... There are many countries out there and we should allow fear to determine where it is we want to travel if we have done our homework.... Going to Lebanon would be another story in my book (sorry, but it would...)

 

[FredS]

There are a very limited number of universities in the middle east that she can exchange into. It appears like AUS is the better university, as far as academics and the facility itself.

 

[my3disneygirls]

No personal experience, but found this by googling "women's rights and sharjah":

http://media.www.tuftsdaily.com/med...ights.The.Arab.World.And.Beyond-1490663.shtml

That was an interesting read. Thanks for posting it.

 

[DawnCt1]

DH has been to the UAE and he can't imagine why anyone would want to go there. From March on, the heat is oppressive and humid. While the UAE is more "liberal", a lot of the women are still dressed in shadors, and the women who are not get very nasty looks. The men are fearful of women and yet have disdain for them. With all of the places in the world, I wouldn't encourage it.

 

[FredS]

Tinker&Belle, thanks for the link. That is the sort of thing that is reassuring.

Dawn -- what was the length, purpose and location of your husband's visit? It seems that those who visit short-term for business are most likely to not get the "warm and fuzzies" about an area. It is interesting that he felt like men were both afraid and disdainful of women.

 

[DisneyMomOK]

1111111111111

 

[sknutes]

Hello,

As an American female professor at AUS, I think it is perfectly safe to live in the UAE. I actually feel safer here, especially on campus, than many other places in the world. I've travelled all over the states and Europe.

I think your daughter would have an amazing experience and be able to make friends from all over the world, right here at AUS. We have such a diversity!! Our admin says we represent 70 countries. Yes, you will see women covered in abayas and burkas, by their own choice, we do not regulate it. Men will be in dish-dashas. But you'll also see jeans & t-shirts. Admittedly, Sharjah is a bit more conservative,and you have to cover your shoulders and knees (both men and women), but not in the other 6 emirates (states). We are also the only dry (non-alcohol) emirate. We are just 20-40 minutes (on a good traffic time) from Dubai, a most amazing city, full of life and young people. Plus, we have so much diversity in environment. From desert to mountain wadi (you need to learn about those!!) to coral reef. Everything within 2 hours!! And Oman, a 5 hour drive, is also amazing!!

Although there are not many American STUDENTS, a North American college experience is needed to work here (unless you're extra special in other ways). So our faculty is in large part American, European, or Canadian.

Of the students, only 20 % are UAE nationals, the rest can range from Jordan, Lebanon, KSA, Oman. . .Africa, Europe & North America. We even have some Kiwis :}

You hear alot of worriesome things about the local region, but really, it's all hype!!

Crime is really a small issue anywhere, but especially on campus. The general level of people that committ crimes are discouraged by the fact that if they get caught, they go to really bad jail or are deported. Since they make much more money here than they could elsewhere, they don't do it. UAE is more of a white collar crime place. Obviously freaks and evil exist everywhere, unfortunately, it is in human nature to have some bad. Serial killers and rapists live in WI, NY, CA, NC. . . I'm sure things like rape happen here, with live in maids, it has been a real issue. But the consequences here are such that smaller crimes don't happen. On campus, we live within the compound of our campus (with security gaurds at the gates and on campus) in a University City compound (with gates). I can walk up to an ATM at 2am, take out 2500 dhms (500$) and not worry about being robbed. Can you say that in your city?

Plus, we're accreditted in the US, which means the credits transfer. You can't say that about many schools in this area. Plus, our teachers can't be bribed!! Well, no promises, but our school has a reputation of making students earn their degrees, not buy them. Well, we are the most expensive school in the Middle East, so I guess they have to do both.

I hope you let your daughter come here, she will have an amazing experience!! Good luck!! And visit us, don't go on stereotypes of the region.

 

[LukenDC]

Maybe she could study at a university in France that is located in an area with a large Arab population. Marseilles comes to mind. It would be a good way for her to combine her French and Arabic interests.

 

[LukenDC]

SKNutes, your description of UAE makes ME want to visit!