Spring Break Study Abroad Trip to Dubai - Apply by Oct 1

More than 450 UMD students have traveled to Dubai making it the most popular destination for short term education abroad experiences. 

The modernization of Dubai and Abu Dhabi are stunning to see. A past trip video is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EASjWvXfLgw  The class, HONR 348V, fulfills the General Education Cultural Competence (DVCC) requirement. 

The class visits some of the biggest, tallest, and most impressive megastructures in the world (Burj Al Arab, the most luxurious and tallest standing hotel tower in the world; Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world; Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, world's fastest roller coaster; Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the world’s most impressive modern Islamic architectural masterpieces; Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping destination; Emirates Palace, world’s most expensive hotel). Company visits include Emirates Airline, Dubal, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Jumeirah Group (owner of the Burj Al Arab), Dubai International Finance Center, Nakheel Properties (developer of the Palm Island), Masdar, Abu Dhabi Cleveland Clinic, Kepinski Group, American University in Sharjah, etc,  

Untouched by the region's unrest, the UAE is the most competitive economy in the Arab World, which is a status it has achieved by diversifying its economy and entering new business sectors such as finance, transportation/logistics, clean air technology, real estate, and tourism. No other place in the world offers the possibility for students to snow ski, visit the beach, and travel to the desert in the same day!

Dubai is one of the most dynamic business environments in the world. Imposing architecture and sophisticated culture make Dubai one of the most interesting hot spots in the world to visit. Dubai brings together the highest standards of comfort and convenience with the mystical adventure of Arabia. From bustling souks to stunning skyscrapers to majestic deserts, Dubai is a truly enchanting destination to experience. Abu Dhabi is also raising its international profile. Abu Dhabi is one of the largest oil producers in the world and significantly contributes to the world's economy, making Abu Dhabi one of the wealthiest cities in the world.

The program fee is estimated at $2,300-$2,500 and includes UM tuition, fees, hotel accommodations, fees for all academic site visits, field trips, and other program-sponsored excursions, transportation to all visits, one or two meals per day (lunches or dinner), and course reading materials. Airfare not included. Final fee will be determined at a later date. Estimated Airfare: $1,000-$1,400.

United Arab Emirates: Dubai and Abu Dhabi – Spring Break 2018

Priority Deadline to apply is October 1st. 

For reference, UAE trip photos from the most recent trip (Winter 2017) can be found at the link below:

https://alvinho.smugmug.com/UMD-GIP-2017-UAE-HK/n-nvtWvc

Submit your application at the link below:

https://globalmaryland.umd.edu/offices/education-abroad/program/10479


Expectations/Course Requirements for all study trips



Study trips are very different from trips that you would take as a tourist. During the trip, students participate in activities closely integrated with course content including visits to multinational and local companies, meetings with government officials and senior executives, meeting with UMD graduates, and excursions to important landmarks.

These experiences provide differentiating traits that can be extremely useful when applying for internships or jobs throughout your college tenure. The short duration of these three credit hour courses provides a study abroad opportunity for students who may not otherwise be able to fit an international experience.



All of the global immersion experiences are three-credit courses that typically meet degree requirements (diversity/global competence requirements).



Classroom experiences for the global courses include readings and discussions about the social, legal, economic, political and technological conditions affecting business in the country visited.


Students are expected to attend pre-departure meetings and complete the required readings prior to departure.



PAST STUDENT FEEDBACK 

Student feedback was extremely positive and some of the student comments are below:

• “This United Arab Emirates international experience was an absolutely great experience and probably the best trip I have ever taken in my life. I found the experience highly educational as well as fun and interesting. We were given the opportunity to learn about a culture that we all knew very little about through a wide range of methods. I would absolutely recommend this trip to anyone who is even remotely considering it. This trip was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am so happy that I was able to be apart of this wonderful experience.”

• “Overall, I am very pleased with our trip to Dubai. It greatly surpassed all expectations that I had of the trip. I now view the Middle East with a completely different perspective as I have realized that globalization has truly reached all parts of the world, and the Middle East is taking off with its enormous wealth and power. I have been humbled by adopting different customs and the local practices of the Emirati people while in the UAE, and I am extremely grateful that I have had this opportunity to experience the prosperous business, breathtaking scenery, and remarkable life in Dubai .”

• “The experience to study abroad in Dubai was unlike anything else I ever experienced in college. It gave me the opportunity to put myself in the environment and culture that was different from where I call home and what I was used to. I saw how open-mindedness is key regarding another culture, and how easy it is for misconceptions to be created.