Where's the buzz?

Recognition and a stimulating social life were the top two factors students sought from a university at the Gulf Exhibition for UK Education held recently. While academic quality and reputation were a priority for most students, many others asserted that a healthy social atmosphere that allows students to grow and develop as a person was equally important.

Bharath R., a grade 12 student from Dubai International College who plans on pursuing a major in business management and a minor in journalism, said that an active social lifestyle is a criterion when searching for the right college.

"I would like to go to a university with a social life that is up and running," he said. "If all day I'm working hard at my studies, I want something that will also help me blow off steam. It's important to have that balance."

Quality education

Nevertheless, academic recognition — particularly in their field of interest — was still the top requirement among students at the fair. Saying they want to make sure they get "value for their degree," the students invariably enquired first about the ranking of a university.

And while some of the universities represented have established branches here in the UAE, many students insisted that studying at the base campus abroad made a significant difference.

Hessa Ali Al Shamsi from the International School of Choueifat plans on doing her bachelors in economics in the UK, at the London School of Economics (LSE). However, to her dismay, the school wasn't a participant at the fair. When asked why she wasn't considering applying for the LSE programme taught in Dubai through the University of London External Programme she said: "I still believe that the standards in the UK vary from the ones here. I also want to gain the experience of living abroad."

Best of both worlds

Luis Ananguren, international officer at the University of Kent and himself a graduate of the university, said that living and learning abroad allows young individuals to see things from a different perspective.

"It opens the mind, makes you cultured and flexible," he said. "I would recommend such an experience to each and every international student."

"Picture the human brain as a glass of water. When a student stays and lives in his or her own culture, that glass is filled with the traditions, beliefs and customs of their country, and their country only. When a student travels abroad, that glass is still half empty and is filled with the experiences of the new cultures he/she meets. This gives the individual the best of both worlds," Ananguren said.

Continuing education

Many students used the fair as an opportunity to study their options should they decide to pursue a graduate degree. Student described a master's degree as something "basic" and said that it has replaced the value of a bachelor's degree.

"Today, anything less than a master's could be considered as only finishing school," said Sujju Prasad, who having completed a Bachelor's in Education from Anna University in India, is now pursuing a master's in aviation.

Meanwhile Hanah Al Suwaidi, a graduate of Zayed University with a bachelor's in business, said she was looking for master's in strategic management and corporate social responsibility (CSR). Hannah, who is currently working as a human resource generalist at Tatweer, said a master's degree will increase her job prospects and enhance her learning capacity.

"There is a lot of competition in today's world and you need to stand out," she said. "A master's will broaden your horizons and give you fresh ideas. You can apply what you learn to your work and ultimately benefit yourself and the company."



NT-081019-UKEX-RYAN



— Ryan Kayrouz, Emirates International School



"This was very helpful, but maybe they could have more than one table for each university so that we didn't have to wait in line."





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— Hessa Ali Al Shamsi, International School of Choueifat



"Although there is a good selection of universities, some of the well-known ones are not here, such as the London School of Economics which I was eager to check out."