Dubai: UAE-based students who hoped to attend American universities say they are now shelving their plans or have to dig deeper into their pockets as the country's recession becomes more severe.
Students are either looking at universities in their home countries or ones affiliated to Canadian, British or Australian institutions, or ones in their home country. Steep tuition hikes, unfavourable exchange rates, budget cuts and job losses at American universities are the main deterrents.
Sara Al Fahim, a 2007 American University of Sharjah (AUS) graduate, has put all plans to pursue an MBA at Ohio State University on hold when she heard about the impact the economic downturn made.
"I've postponed my plans to save some money and so that I could gain more work experience, which will increase my chances of acceptance," the American citizen said.
Although Sara will pay out-of-state tuition fees of between $35,000 and $40,000 per year, which is less than the international student rate, she said it was still a huge financial outlay.
"My savings will definitely not cover my tuition - I will have to take a loan. My parents have already told me not to expect any financial support because they are paying for my brothers' university and school fees. "It's extremely unfair to raise fees when people have lost their jobs during the recession. What are people to do?"
Anmol Prakash is among those students who have abandoned his plan to study in the United States. She planned on attending the Malaysian campus of the Southern New Hampshire University for undergraduate study four years ago. However, the Dh60,000 American degree prevented her from attending and she chose to study at the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD), which cost Dh130,000 for the entire degree.
"Cost is such a big factor when you are looking at universities. I feel there is no point going abroad to study because of the recession - it becomes very expensive if you are earning dirhams," she says. Prakash also believes it is not worth studying abroad because the job market in the United States and other western countries are far worse.
"I want to work and pay for my studies while studying for my masters so going abroad is not feasible for me. I'd much rather stay here in Dubai and work while studying." Marketing major Nabeel Shaikh, who was at the ISN Education Expo in Dubai last week, said he was still keen at American university options.
The 20-year-old Manipal University student is currently completing his internship during his last semester and plans to do an MBA after he gets some work experience and saves enough money for it.
Shaikh says he probably won't be able to save enough to pay for the entire degree and will take a loan from his parents. If he is still not able to afford the $40,000 annual tuition at an American school, he will opt for a university in India. However, there are students who are determined to get an American degree despite the cost.
Nihdi Mehra, who was also at the Expo, and spoke about the value of an American education but said it all depended on the cost. "It would be nice if I could find a job while studying for my masters in the US."
Mehra won't be looking at Ivy League universities - his first choice is the University of Houston, which would cost between $20,000 and $30,000.
AUS student Shirin Shaikh is also not put off by escalating costs. The Shaikh Khalifa scholar wants to complete her MBA at one of the top five universities in the US in the region of Dh500,000.
"I'm looking at university ranking rather than expenses because it is very easy to get student loans at a top university once you are accepted. I will work for two years to get work experience and save some money. My parents have also offered to loan me money for tuition."
Have you graduated recently? Has it been difficult to find a job? Have you thought of extending your studies due to the recession. Fill in the form bellow to send your comments.
Your comments
I have lived most of my life in KSA and UAE. My father was working there and now I am working in UAE for the past 4 years. Recession is a major concern in Europe and US but still I am hopeful of pursuing an MBA from an elite UK institute. One should always remember that MBA is a quality Business Degree and puts Academia into action in the work place. It is worth the money and now is the best time as opportunity cost is going to be much less than it would have been in normal times.
I am working for a large local bank.
Faraz Khan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 15, 2009, 17:51
I would strongly suggest it is time for GCC especially to upgrade their education.
Mahmood Mian
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: February 15, 2009, 14:03
I am from India but I was born and brought up here in UAE and I graduated in physiotherapy in 2007 from a college here but still am unable to get a job for myself over the years. The future too is very bleak. I sometimes think even of attaining a Masters degree but I don?t earn anything and the tuition fees for all Majors programmes are sky high, so what do I do? I can?t even think of asking my parents because I feel that at this age I must be earning and lending a helping hand to them. So I am only waiting for the right time to come. Any suggestions or help anyone?
Aisha Bano
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 15, 2009, 12:58
