Abu Dhabi: The number of Emirati students who are opting to continue their education in the US has increased by around 150 per cent over the last decade, according to figures provided by the Education USA Advising Centre at the US embassy.
In the 2005-2006 academic year 1,158 Emirati students travelled to America to continue their education. Fast forward to the 2014-2015 academic year and this figure has increased to 2,878 students, nearly a 150 per cent increase.
The majority of the 2,878 students — 76 per cent — travelled after finishing school to obtain an undergraduate degree, while 12 per cent took up post graduate studies while 15 per cent chose other courses.
A number of reasons are thought to contribute to this increase including the availability of scholarships, increase in awareness among high school students about the options available to them for further studies, the eagerness to learn about another culture and the vast variety of courses that are available in the US.
This steady rise has also been mirrored by American students who choose to come to the UAE for their studies. The 2010-2011 academic year saw 634 American students travel to the UAE and the figure increased by 15.7 per cent to 735 students for the 2014-2015 academic year.
The US ambassador Barbara A. Leaf spoke with Gulf News about what she believes are the reasons behind the growth.
“The dramatic growth in Emirati students studying in the US is reflective of the growth of the US-UAE relationship on all levels. From science and culture to business and security, the United States and United Arab Emirates have expanded cooperation and innovation to the benefit of both our nations.”
Leaf said she believed that the quality of education in the US was also a key factor for the increase in Emirati students travelling to the US.
“For example, a recent global university ranking, 15 of the top 20 universities were in the US — including the number one university of course,” said Leaf.
“In addition to the quality of education I think UAE students find US education so appealing because of the limitless options. The American education system is incredibly diverse with over 4,000 institutions of higher learning spanning every conceivable area of study,” added Leaf.
Leaf explained that to ensure UAE students have all the information available to them to allow them to choose what institute is best suited for them and their needs, the Education USA Advising Centres were set up at the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi and US Consulate General in Dubai to provide free advice to students.
So what makes American students find UAE an attractive destination to continue their studies?
“I think the US and the UAE are alike in that they are countries where, for many, dreams become reality — whether that’s the dream of going to space, which the US pioneered and which Emiratis are now launching ambitious plans for, or the dream of starting your own business, whether in Silicon valley or in an incubator in Abu Dhabi or Dubai. The US has always been at the cutting edge of research and innovation, and universities have always been the engine for that pioneering spirit. As the UAE becomes a key player in new industries like green energy, technology, and entrepreneurship, it makes sense that students from the US will want to visit, study, and work in the UAE to be a part of the engine of innovation that is growing here.”
Emirati students who studied in the US
Ali Mohammad Ali Al Naqbi, 21 — Studying Computer Science at University of Maryland Baltimore County since 2014.
Ali Mohammad Ali Al Naqbi is currently doing his undergraduate studies in Computer Science at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC).
“My dad really encouraged me to go to the US to study because of the outstanding education system here,” said Al Naqbi.
“Another reason why I wanted to come to the US was because I really wanted to begin a new challenge in my life,” added Al Naqbi.
Al Naqbi said combination of the quality of education, learning to be independent, and learning about another culture drove him to seek a scholarship and move to the states in 2014.
“I have even had the opportunity to take an elective course in American cultures, which I find really interesting, it is a great learning experience.”
He said he is thankful to the UAE government for providing opportunities that has allowed him and others like him to pursue their dreams.
Sara Al Haddad, 28, artist — Graduated in 2016 with Masters in Fine Arts from Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore
Al Haddad said that although she had studied and practised art in the UAE, she wanted to expand her expertise in her field, so she started thinking about studying abroad.
“I had been to the US previously and I loved it; when I decided to continue my education, it seemed like a great opportunity.”
“Arts are so much more established in the US and I just felt that it would be the best place for me to learn more in depth about what I love.”
Al Haddad received a scholarship and moved to the US in 2014. She graduated in May 2016 and returned to the UAE.
“Living in the UAE, we are lucky to be exposed to so many different cultures, and I have always been surrounded by a large mix of people from different countries, but living in the US exposed me to the culture in more depth, it really changed my perspective.”
Rashid Al Merri, 30, Engineering Manager in a media company — Graduated with Masters in Media Studies from The New School in 2013.
Al Merri said he really wanted to go to New York and experience life there as it was where he thought was most relevant to his field, media.
“For me New York was the place that you could practice what you studied just by being there. It is the place to be for media, you could go to independent film theatres, there are so many productions and you are basically surrounded by what you study.”
He got a scholarship and chose The New School because he felt it was one of the few places that he could study media and media management.
“It was a fantastic experience and I am putting what I learnt in use now.”
