Beat the heat

School is out and summer is upon us. It is that time of year every student longs for. Thoughts of sleeping in, lazy beach days and long party nights occupy young minds. But thoughts of sun, fun and dancing are not the only things creeping up. The steady climb in temperature and how to deal with it is enough to make you want to confine yourself to your air-conditioned bedroom.

Yep, being left in the scorching heat and the humdrum of city life, while all your friends have gone on holiday, is enough to dampen anyone's spirit. Notes speaks to students about their summer plans and has scouted around for unusual and affordable activities to help you beat the summer heat.

All work and no play

Most students, it seems, have found constructive ways to spend the summer months here in the UAE. They are either taking summer courses at university to repeat failed classes or simply to get their degree that little bit sooner. Others are spending the summer working full-time, completing compulsory internships or volunteering. However, most students were unanimous in their agreement that there is not much to do during the summer.

"There just aren't any activities and it's very hot," said Claire Sa'ad. The University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) Human Resource Management student will remain in Dubai to top up on classes at university.

"It's really intensive," she said about the three hour classes she attends four days a week. Sa'ad doesn't plan to stray from her regular activities that include shopping at malls, lunching with friends and journeying to the cinema on weekends. "I don't do much."

She admits that summer classes are "a bit annoying" but her friends' company is a relief. "My friends are taking them [classes] with me so I'm not so bored. I have people to see."

Looking ahead

Some students are quite content spending the summer working on their future plans. Abdul Rahman Bukhlalf, an engineering student at Sharjah Men's College, plans to keep busy with volunteer work in Sharjah after he finishes a month of summer courses at college.

When asked why he would rather volunteer than relax and have fun with his friends he replied: "I want to improve my chances when I seek employment. Plus, I like volunteering, I am used to it. I learn new things and enjoy meeting new people."

Ali Ahmad has opted to take summer courses at UOWD to complete his degree as soon as possible. "I want to get my bachelor's over and done with to do my masters hopefully in the UK," he said.

Home alone

Ahmad will remain in the UAE all summer but has a tradition of going to Salalah, Oman for a few days every year. "It's nice to get out of the place where I live and it's really beautiful. The climate is so much better [there]," he said. Ahmad's day starts at 8.30am and ends at 6pm after having played two hours of indoor football with friends. "There is not much else to do unless you are a sunbathing fan, which I am not," he said.

Other students are actually looking forward to spending a summer alone in the UAE. Juzar Ishaq, studying Management Information Systems at the American University of Sharjah, can't wait for summer to get into full swing.

"My parents are going away soon so I will be home alone. I'm going to invite some friends over and have parties," he said. However it is not all fun and games - having taken a two week break in India for some rest and relaxation, he is now back in the UAE working full-time at a two-month internship. He said he wouldn't have it any other way.

"If I wasn't doing my internship I was definitely going to do summer courses, because staying home is boring," he said. When asked what activities he has planned in his spare time he said: "There are not many activities to do. I might go to Ras Al Khaimah or Hatta to picnic with friends."

Although lucky enough to get an unusual five-month holiday, Middlesex University Dubai student Victoria Katheu will be working full-time throughout her break.

"I work when I am on summer break [because] there is nothing to do. It is very hot and I hardly go out because there is nobody here," she said, referring to most of her friends who have left the country for the summer.

When asked of any activities she has planned she answered: "There are none. They have activities for little kids, but none for teenagers" and young adults.

Rediscovering your home turf

See the animals

Activity: Night Zoo. Reminiscent of an African safari, visitors will have a chance to visit the 40-hectare zoo which accommodates 600 animals in an environment closest to their natural habitat. With spotlights revealing the animals as they lurk in the shadows, this is set to be an unforgettable experience and a great way to have fun away from the scalding sun.

Where: Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort.
When: Open from June 12.
Timings: Saturday to Thursday 4-10pm and 10am-10pm on Fridays.
How much: Dh15 for adults. Dh5 for children. Entry is free to those under six years.
How long: All summer.
More information: Visit www.awpr.ae or call 03 7828188

Feel the beat

Activity: Drumming. Known as the oldest form of team building, drumming is said to reach people and bring them closer together. It apparently brings out a person's creativity and sparks the imagination. It also a healthy way to boost the immune system and raise endorphin levels to beat the summer blues.

Where: For special summer community drum circle nights visit the Al Noor Centre (behind Mall of the Emirates) or for regular drum nights visit Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre (DUCTAC) at Mall of the Emirates.
When: Mondays at DUCTAC.
Timings: 7.30-8.30pm at DUCTAC and 730-9pm at Al Noor Centre.
How much: Dh50 per person at DUCTAC and Dh40 per person at Al Noor Centre (drums provided).
How long: From June 27 to July 11 at Al Noor Centre. More information: Visit www.dubaidrums.com or call Jana on 050 6402058 or Julie-Ann on 050 6592874

Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS)

Activity: Fun on the beach. This year DSS has decided to take the fun outdoors providing a platform of rest, relaxation and fun for every age group. Attractions include a relaxation area of sun beds and umbrellas, a spa zone to get pampered, an exclusive rent-a-tent facility for some privacy, kiosks for refreshments and an inflatable games zone, including a floating island out at sea where you can have your refreshments delivered to you. For the more active folk there will be a beach games area to play beach volleyball and football, a motor sports zone hosting buggy and scooter rides and a water sports zone. On weekends a DJ will take beach-goers into the evening with some funky tunes.

Where: The open beach at Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) opposite the Rimal buildings.
How long: June 18 to August 14.
How much: Entry costs Dh75 and it costs Dh25 to rent a tent
More information: Visit www.mydsf.ae

Movie surprises

Activity: Cinema surprises. The most typical activity people will get up to this summer is going to the movies. To bring some excitement into the experience, DSS has teamed up with Cinestar cinemas to bring you some little treats.
Lucky seat surprise: Daily winners will be selected for a beverage or popcorn upgrade or free entry into Modhesh world if they happen to purchase a ticket for the lucky seat.
Gold Upgrade: From Sunday to Wednesdays on shows before 6pm cinemagoers have a chance to be one of 20 winners to win an upgrade upon purchase of a regular cinema ticket. Or a spa package with every gold class ticket bought online.

Where: Cinestar cinemas at Mall of the Emirates or Deira City Centre.
How much: Cinema tickets cost about Dh30.
More information: Visit www.cinestarcinemas.com

Swim with dolphins

Activity: Swimming with dolphins. It is said to be an unforgettable experience and an activity you should try at least once in your life time. At this venue you can swim with one of four, or all of the resident bottle nosed dolphins.

Where: Dubai Dolphinarium at Dubai Creek park gate number one.
When: Ongoing. Bookings must be made a week in advance.
Timings: According to availability.
How much: Dh400 per person in a mixed session of up to six people. Or Dh1,600 for a private group session of up to three people and Dh400 for every person thereafter up to a maximum of six persons.
How long: 45 minutes per session.
More information: Visit www.dubaidolphinarium.ae or call 04 3369773

Ice ice baby

Activity: Take skiing or snowboarding lessons. It is the ultimate way to beat the summer heat and is right on your doorstep. What better way to chill out in scorching temperatures than to take to the icy slopes.

Where: Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates.
When: Monday to Sundays for beginners.
Timings: 11.30am and 7pm for skiing and 8pm for snowboarding.
How much: Dh220 for adults.
How long: Ongoing.
More information: Call 04 4094000. They are also offering three-day ski or snowboarding camps starting from June 7 at 8.30pm for an early bird price of Dh290 for tickets booked before June 30 or Dh305 thereafter.

Dancing queen

Activity: Learn how to dance street jazz or hip hop as well as singing drama and other forms of dance this summer and show off your moves on the dance floor to all your friends.

Where: DUCTAC at Mall of the Emirates
When: Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Timings: 7-8.30pm How much: Dh55 per class.
How long: Classes are running until June 25 and will resume again around August 15.
More information: Visit www.ductac.org or call Emma Hayes on 050 4668793 or email sharmila@sharmiladance.com

Fashion forward

Activity: If fashion has always captured your interest but you never knew how get started, look no further as ESMOD the French Fashion University in Dubai is now offering summer courses in fashion design and fashion makeup.

Where: ESMOD campus at Dubai International Academic City When: Classes start July 1 for fashion design and July 5 for fashion makeup.
Timings: Sunday to Thursday 10am-4pm (fashion design morning classes) or Sunday to Wednesday 6-10pm (fashion design evening classes) and Sunday to Wednesday 11am-2pm (for fashion makeup).
How much: Dh20,000 for morning fashion design and Dh12,350 for evening fashion design and Dh10,000 for fashion makeup.
How long: One month
More information: Visit www.french-fashion-university.com or call 050 518 7528 or 04 4291228.

Speaking in tongues

Activity: Intensive English and Arabic language courses are on offer to help improve your language skills before you head back for another year of university. This institute also offers a variety of other languages including: French, Spanish, Persian and Turkish. Learning a language can really boost your employment potential.

Where: Eton Language Institute at Dubai Knowledge Village.
When: Sunday to Thursday, 4 hours daily, totalling 60 hours per level and six levels in total.
Timings: 9am-1pm, morning session, 1.30-5.30pm afternoon session or 6.00-10.00pm evening session.
How much: Dh2,250. A Dh100 registration fee applies to new comers plus an additional Dh285 for materials of use for levels one and above.
How long: 60 hours from June 21 to July 09 or July 19 to August 06 or August 16 to September 03 (for intensive English and Arabic courses).
More information: Visit www.eton.ac or call Moaz Khan on 04 3658483.