Essentails Guide Abu Dhabi - Excerpt

A B U D H A B I

ESSENTIALSTHE

GUIDE

WWW.NORDANGLIA.COM/ABUDHABI

FIRSTEDITION

A B U D H A B I

ESSENTIALSTHE

GUIDE

Essentials Guide Abu Dhabi 1st Edition

Copyright © Nord Anglia 2011All Rights Reserved

Chief Editor - Travis MurrayPrimary Design - Valle DMGSecondary Design - Travis MurrayPrimary Copywriting - Ilsa MayweatherCopyediting/Proofreading - Aelred Doyle

While every possible effort has been taken to ensure that the facts contained within this guide are accurate, Nord Anglia cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions that this guide may contain.

No part of this guide may be reproduced or distributed, by electronic means or any other, without the prior permission of Nord Anglia Ltd.

A B U D H A B I

ESSENTIALSTHE

GUIDE

LIVING IN ABU DHABI

Health and Wellness p 102

Eating and Drinking p 104

Shopping p 112

Neighborhood Descriptions p 116

Conclusion p 124

Maps p 126

PREPARING TO GO

Introduction p 8

History p 20

People and Culture p 22

Demographics p 24

Cityscape p 25

Country Map p 26

Language p 28

Climate p 29

Regional Map p 30

Administrative Preparations p 32

Address and Phone p 33

Personal Finances p 33

Books, Films and Music p 34

WHEN YOU ARRIVE

When You Arrive p 44

Getting Around p 46

Money and Banking p 50

Getting Connected p 52

Health Care p 54

Temporary Accommodation p 58

Finding Housing p 62

Getting Settled p 68

Culture Shock p 70

Education p 72

Education Supplement p 80

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Education and learning have always been our focus and our area of expertise. Our people and the people we work with all have a good understanding of what this means to us. We aim to provide students with the opportunity to be the best they can be.

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Abu Dhabi is a conservative city with a gentle pace, traditional values and a strong sense of heritage, but in some senses the UAE’s capital

is still in the process of forging its identity. It’s a place long-term residents say has changed beyond recognition over the past few decades, and by this they mean the fact that the ‘quiet’ capital is now home to the world’s fasterst rollercoaster, ultra-fashionable bars and restuarnants and regularly hosts international sporting events and concerts.

Introduction

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Somehow, the city’s residents manage to straddle both worlds with ease, taking news of each new glitzy launch, architectural development or extravagant event with cool insouciance. You can look forward to choosing which parts of Abu Dhabi’s culture to immerse yourself in, or do as the locals do, and casually move between the old and new, local and foreign aspects of the capital with ease.

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Abu Dhabi is one of the most family-friendly cities in the Gulf, with relaxed souks, green parks and clean beaches that make for great

weekend outings with the kids. Many expats here spend a lot of their spare time socialising through sports groups and outdoor activities during the cooler months of the year. There are certainly enough top-notch sports facilities, particularly for water-based activities, to keep everyone entertained.

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Wealth is very important in Abu Dhabi and it’s commerce that brings the majority of expats to the city. Unsurprisingly, when Abu Dhabi’s

residents aren’t busy making money, you’ll find them spending it just as fast in one of the capital’s air-conditioned malls, which are home to international, western and Arabic brands.

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Youll find yourself doing business, making friends and sharing the city with people from across the Middle East, Asia and Europe, who bring the exotic blend of style, foods,and language that you’d expect from such a cultural mix. Almost everyone speaks some English however, whether basic or fluent, so you’ll rarely have trouble making yourself understood even if you don’t speak Arabic – or Hindi, Urdu, Tagalog or any of the many other languages you’ll hear regularly throughout the city.

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This Essentials Guide Abu Dhabi is designed to help you prepare for Abu Dhabi and settle in once you get there.

The UAE does present some challenges, because the norms of dress, alcohol, religion, gender roles and of course the intense heat, may be very different from what you’re used to. But for most people, the pluses outweigh these difficulties, and you’ll find pleasant surprises, new routines,and solid support networks which will help you adjust to your new lifestyle in the Middle East.

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PREPARING TO GO

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19THE ESSENTIALS GUIDE ABU DHABI

PREPARING TO GO

CONTENTS

Preparing to go will be as much a mental journey as it will be a practical one. Understanding more about the culture you are about

to encounter will help prepare you for the experience. You can read a book or watch a movie we recommend or you can engage in your own research. Either way, the process will reward you.

The practical aspects of preparation are, of course, vital to ensuring that your journey begins on a positive note. This section will help you prepare on both fronts.

History p 20

People and Culture p 22

Demographics p 24

Cityscape p 25

Country Map p 26

Language p 28

Climate p 29

Regional Map p 38

Administrative

Preparations p 32

Address and Phone p 33

Personal Finances p 33

Embassies and Consulates p 34

Books, Films and Music p 36

INT

RO

PREPARING TO GO

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PREPARING TO GO

THE ESSENTIALS GUIDE ABU DHABI

HISTORY

The ancient fort in Bithnah

History

As little as half a century ago, there was nothing to Abu Dhabi except harsh desert landscapes where semi-nomadic Bedouin tribes lived,

moving between small villages and fertile pockets of land. Just fifty years on Abu Dhabi is a modern, sophisticated city. Its international population enjoys world-class restaurants, hotels and bars, and due to its size and wealth the city has major influence across the Gulf. The reason for this astonishing development is of course the discovery of huge oil reserves in 1958.

Before that, Abu Dhabi’s inhabitants depended on fishing and animal husbandry for their livelihood, and through the 19th century a roaring trade in pearl fishing developed, with a steady supply of pearls coming from Abu Dhabi’s waters. The Al Nahyan family (still the ruling family) relocated from their home in Liwa to the village of Abu Dhabi to take advantage of this. Over the next hundred years the village steadily developed, and the wider emirate of Abu Dhabi and the other emirates to the north accepted the protection of Britain. Collectively they became known as the Trucial States.

The prosperous period was short-lived. The economic crisis of the 1930s coincided with the cultured pearl industry taking off in Japan, and Abu Dhabi quickly plunged into poverty. In 1939 Abu Dhabi’s ruler Sheikh

In 50 years Abu Dhabi has risen

from the desert to become a modern

metropolis

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HISTORY

Shakhbut bin Sultan granted concessions for a British company to search for oil in the region, in the hopes that this might change the emirate’s fortunes. Exports began four years after finding oil, putting the region firmly on its path of rapid development. Sheikh Shakhbut was a somewhat cautious leader who chose to save the money flooding in from the oil exports, rather than invest it in furthering development. With the help of the British, in 1966 he was swiftly replaced by his brother Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan, who had the vision to pour the money into a modernising program of infrastructure and trade links.

The British withdrew from the Gulf region in 1971, and at Sheikh Zayed’s urging the seven emirates united to provide security and strength, forming the United Arab Emirates. Sheikh Zayed was elected by the rulers of the other emirates to be president of the UAE, and later Abu Dhabi was chosen to be its capital city. Sheikh Zayed’s 33-year rule saw change take place at an unprecedented pace, bringing international trade, technology and social services to the UAE.

He passed away in 2004, leaving his son Sheikh Khalifa to rule, and in recent years the city has continued its expansion, from the construction of a hub of hotels and world-class sporting facilities on Yas Island to the residential developments stretching out to the north of the city. The expansion looks set to continue at this rate, if the recently launched 2030 Vision, an economic strategy that aims to put Abu Dhabi firmly on the world stage, is anything to go by.

The modern Abu Dhabi Skyline

Sheikh Zayed’s 33-year rule saw change take place at an unprecedented pace, bringing international trade, technology and social services to the UAE.

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CULTURE

Culture

Abu Dhabi’s culture is Islamic, and you’ll see evidence of this in every part of life, from the call to prayer ringing out across the city five

times a day to the modest dress codes in malls. While Abu Dhabi is relatively conservative, compared to neighbouring Dubai for example, it’s still a tolerant place which allows people of religions other than Islam to practise in peace, and accepts many un-Islamic aspects of the lifestyles of other cultures, for example drinking alcohol or eating pork. See First things first for information about appropriate dress, public displays of affection and alcohol consumption.

National dress

The long white robes you’ll see Emirati men wearing are called dishdasha, and these are traditionally paired with a red and white checked head

dress called a gutra; or increasingly commonly among younger UAE Nationals, a baseball cap. Women wear abayas in public, long black robes sometimes embroidered or adorned with beads. The sheyla is the black headscarf worn with an abaya. Underneath these robes, many women dress very expensively in the latest designer labels.

Business culture

Business culture in the UAE is quite different from what you might be used to in the West, so it’s important to have an understanding

of what to expect and why. Business acquaintances are often considered more friends than associates, because business relationships in the UAE are frequently developed on a longstanding basis of trust. Therefore, it’s considered more impolite to ignore a call from someone than to briefly interrupt a meeting – meaning people take mobile calls in the middle of meetings, or even leave while you’re speaking in order to attend to family matters or different business affairs. When this happens, you’ll just need to be patient – it’s not intended to be disrespectful. As for watching your own manners, there are a few basics to keep in mind. Offer a handshake only to someone of the same sex. Practices vary, and some Muslim men will shake hands with Western women, but it’s best not to offer in case you cause embarrassment. In terms of making your meetings go swmoothly, you’ll be considered more sociable and polite if you take your time over the tea or Arabic coffee which is often offered, and make plenty of effort with the small talk. It’s all part of building trusting relationships.

Ramadan

The month of Ramadan is of particular significance for locals. It’s the holy month, when Muslims commemorate the revelation of the

REALITYCHECK

Abu Dhabi is a tolerant place

which allows people of religions

other than Islam to practise in peace,

and accepts many un-Islamic aspects of the lifestyles of

other cultures

If you have preconceptions,

leave them at home and let

Abu Dhabi speak for itself - you

will be pleasantly rewarded

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PREPARING TO GO


CULTURE

Quran through fasting between dusk and dawn. As well as eating, the fast includes abstention from smoking, drinking and ‘unclean’ activities, including impure thoughts. The fast is broken at sunset each day, with a meal called Iftar. These meals are often major feasts, held in restaurants, at home or in special Ramadan tents across the city, and tend to include a lot more traditional dishes than you see during the rest of the year. Iftars go on for hours, and have a very welcoming atmosphere – people are happy for non-Muslims to join the meal. During Ramadan non-Muslims are not expected to fast, but eating and drinking in public is forbidden – even a sneaky swig of water or a piece of chewing gum can land you a fine if caught by the police, and in any case will cause offence to those observing the fast. Almost all restaurants and cafes are closed during the day, and live music and dancing aren’t allowed. Office hours are shortened, and since people fasting find work particularly taxing, you’ll be expected to accommodate a drop in productivity. Be particularly careful about what you wear during this month, as revealing clothing is more frowned upon than during the rest of the year.

Left - Local women wear abayas in public, long black robes sometimes embroidered or adorned with beadsNext page - Abu Dhabi by air

During Ramadan non-Muslims are not expected to fast, but eating and drinking in public is forbidden – even a sneaky swig of water or a piece of chewing gum can land you a fine if caught by the police

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DEMOGRAPHICS

Demographics

Abu Dhabi is the most heavily populated of the Emirates, home to almost 1.5 million people. UAE nationals make up only 20 percent of

the overall population – the rest of the city is a melting pot of Indians, Pakistanis, Filipinos, Lebanese, British, Americans, Australians and more. The population is growing at a rate of 4.5 percent per year and, according to the emirate’s 2030 Vision, is expected to be 3 million 20 years from now. The ratio of males to females is 2.03 to 1.

Geography and cityscape

There are seven emirates in the UAE – Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Quwain – and the

country borders Oman and Saudi Arabia. Abu Dhabi is the largest emirate, making up approximately 80 percent of the country’s landmass. In fact a large part of the emirate is made up of desert, called the Empty Quarter, which stretches across Saudi Arabia and Oman and contains some of the biggest sand dunes in the world. By contrast, the urban areas are surprisingly lush, with plenty of parks, green recreational areas and tree-lined roads to be found in both the main city of Abu Dhabi, on a low-lying island, and the second city of Al Ain to the east. Abu Dhabi is of course the busier and more developed of the two and increasingly well connected – a brand new road linking Yas Island, downtown Abu Dhabi and Dubai has

UAE nationals make up only

20 percent of the overall population

of Abu Dhabi

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CITYSCAPE

significantly cut down commuting time and more highways are under construction.

Abu Dhabi City includes the Corniche, a long stretch of beachfront dotted with cafes and restaurants looking out over the Gulf, which is a popular recreational spot. The downtown area is further inland – Al Markaziyah is bustling all day long with shops, restaurants, high-rise apartment blocks and lots of traffic. There’s another much smaller leisure hub in the northern area of Bain Al Jessrain, centred on the Souk Qaryat Al Beri. This very modern complex of fashionable bars, restaurants and shops is between the Shangri-La and Fairmont Bab al Bahr hotels, both popular with the city’s diners as well as tourists because of their excellent restaurants. The rest of the city is made up of residential areas which sprawl out to the east, and increasingly north towards Dubai too.

Almost 200 islands are also under the emirate’s jurisdiction. One of the most newly developed is Yas Island in the north-west. This is home to Yas Marina Circuit, where F1 races are held, as well as other leisure facilities such as Ferrari World theme park and Yas Arena. Saadiyat Island in the north-east is a natural island with mangrove forests, and soon to be home to Abu Dhabi’s own Guggenheim and Louvre. At present all this is under construction, but it looks set to become a busy residential and cultural hub in the near future.

Known as the ‘empty quarter’, The desert surrounding Abu Dhabi has some of the largest sand dunes in the world

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LANGUAGE

Language

Arabic is the official language of the United Arab Emirates, spoken by locals and used across the country for public signs, newspapers,

television and formal documents. It’s spoken by almost 250 million people as a mother tongue and is the official language of 22 countries.

However, because of the range of nationalities living in Abu Dhabi almost all signs are in English as well as Arabic, and you’ll find English used everywhere from menus to grocery labels and on a number of television and radio channels. As in many international cities, almost everyone speaks conversational-level English, and many are fluent – this includes locals as well as expats for whom English is not their native language. Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), which is used formally, is the literary standard and based loosely on Classical Arabic. This is the original language of the Qur’an and dates back to the 4th century. Both Classical Arabic and MSA differ from colloquial Arabic. If you develop an interest in learning Arabic during your time in Abu Dhabi, you’ll notice many dialects of Arabic used, all distinct from the MSA you’ll learn in a classroom. Arabic spoken in Morocco is as different from Arabic spoken in Egypt and from Modern Standard as French is from Spanish. When Arabs from different regions talk to each other, they often improvise using Egyptian Arabic – many people are familiar with this dialect because of Egypt’s movie industry – mixed with Modern Standard and a bit of their own dialects. For example, if you order a coffee in Modern Standard Arabic you’ll sound bizarrely formal; but you’ll be understood, and the more you converse the more you’ll pick up natural phrases.

Other than Arabic and English, you’ll hear Hindi and Urdu spoken widely among the Indian and Pakistani communities, and Tagalog spoken by Filipinos. People also manage to communicate through sentences jumbled with words from different languages – listen hard and you’ll notice Hindi sentences sprinkled with English words, or English sentences punctuated with common Arabic exclamations, such as Inshallah, meaning ‘God willing’.

So where to begin if you want to learn the local lingo? If you’re on a budget, you can start by using one of the numerous web resources available, such as www.learnarabiconline.com. A great way to practise your pronunciation is by joining the group Arabic Language Lovers UAE, which arranges meet-ups for Arabic speakers to converse over shisha, meals out and other events. This is also a great way to bridge the gap between native Arabs and expats, and you can sign up for events at www.meetup.com. However, formal language courses will give you the most solid grounding in the

Because of the range of

nationalities living in Abu Dhabi

almost all signs are in English as

well as Arabic, and you’ll find English

used everywhere from menus to

grocery labels and on a number of

television and radio channels..

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CLIMATE

Climate

Essentially, Abu Dhabi’s weather varies from hot and dry to extremely hot and dry throughout the year. The sub-tropical, arid climate means

there are clear blue skies almost all year round, with a very small amount of rainfall (12 cm per year) between November and March. When it does rain, showers tend to be relatively light and last just a few hours. During the winter months of January and February, temperatures are as low as 13C (50F) at night. Winter days are usually very bright and sunny, with fresh breezes making the temperature feel a little lower than it is. The summer months see temperatures reach sizzling highs, which have been known to hit 50C (122F) during the very hottest days. At this time of year, people usually avoid being outdoors altogether, sticking to air-conditioned malls, cars and homes until the temperature drops. The summer evenings are uncomfortably hot and sticky too – the temperature drops a little, but not enough for spending any amount of time outdoors to be a good idea. It’s much more humid during the summer, which can make it even more difficult to cope with the high temperatures.

Sandstorms are a fairly rare occurrence in Abu Dhabi, but occasionally a strong dusty wind whips the sand from the desert and blows it into the city. It’s best to stay indoors when this happens – although the storms are relatively weak, visibility on the roads is impaired and sand can blow into your eyes if you’re outside. If you do go out, make sure you shut your doors and windows fast, otherwise you might find your floors covered with sand when you return.

The summer months see temperatures reach sizzling highs, which have been known to hit 50C (122F) during the very hottest days

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ADMINISTRATIVE PREPARATIONS

Administrative preparations

The process begins with the administrative matters. Do not put them off. In fact, this is the only part of the moving process you cannot put

off, as the UAE is strict about its bureaucratic procedures and you don’t want your transition to be interrupted by a preventable hiccup.

Visas and documents

Before you arrive, it’s a good idea to prepare photocopies of your passport and up to twenty passport photos (you’ll be amazed at how many you’ll need for various applications and documents). You should also make sure you have, if applicable, copies of your marriage certificate, birth certificate, driving licence and National ID card. When you start work, ask for an ‘NOC’, a No Objection Certificate. You’ll often be asked to produce this when undertaking activities such as renting a flat, applying for an alcohol licence or opening a bank account. The certificate or letter should say that the company sponsoring your employment visa does not object to this, and should be stamped and signed by a representative of your company.

Citizens of many countries, including the UK, the US and Australia, are granted a tourist visa on arrival. This is valid for 30 days, extendable once by another 30 days without leaving the country, if you get it stamped at the Immigration Department and pay a fee of Dhs500. The next step is to apply for employment and residence visas; these are almost always taken care of by the company (this is one occasion when those passport photos will come in handy). The Human Resources department should arrange the paperwork and application on your behalf, and your company is legally obliged to pay all the visa fees. If for whatever reason this isn’t the case, visit www.abudhabi.ae for detailed information about the visa application process and to download all the essential forms. Sponsoring your family may or may not be taken care of by your employer. To do so you need a minimum salary of Dhs4,000 a month. Sons can only be sponsored up to the age of 18, unless they’re enrolled in full-time education in the UAE; after that they must be transferred to an independent sponsor. However, daughters can be sponsored for longer. Your company is legally obliged to cover your health insurance, and once you’ve been set up on a scheme you’ll be given a medical card which you’ll need to bring with you on all trips to the hospital. (See Health care section, p xx).

Once your medical card and visas are taken care of, your company will then apply for a Labour Card. You might not receive this for a few months after you begin working, but you have to have one or be in the process of applying for it in order to be legally employed in the UAE. It’s valid for up to three years.

Most people tend to pack much more

than they need when relocating.

.Sons can only be sponsored up to the

age of 18, unless they’re enrolled in

full-time education in the UAE; after

that they must be transferred to an independent

sponsor. However, daughters can

be sponsored for longer.

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ADDRESS, PHONE AND FINANCES

Address and phone

Upon moving to Abu Dhabi, it’s important to alert all banks and bill issuers of your relocation – failing to do so could result in credit/

debit cards being blocked and the subsequent hassle of reactivating them. Since only PO box addresses are able to receive post in the UAE, it’s best to provide the address of any temporary accommodation you will be using in advance (a hotel or hotel apartment for example), before switching to a company/office address if and when possible. Avoid supplying a residential address, since any important correspondence simply won’t reach you. You should have no problems using your current mobile phone in the UAE, but you’ll find that the cost of calls makes bills incredibly high. Therefore, it’s best to pick up a local sim card as soon as possible – see Getting connected for full details on the various options. Depending on the type of contract, you should be able to suspend your old mobile phone plan until you return, or at least reduce it to the cheapest available tariff.

Finances

Needless to say, taking care of your finances while abroad can be extremely tricky. However, thanks to the modern marvel of online

banking you can make life much easier for yourself. Chances are your bank will have a system in place that allows you to perform at least the most basic banking procedures over the Internet, meaning setting up payments to credit card companies and other direct debits should be no problem. You should also make arrangements for any tax or pension plans you hold back home to be processed during your absence. Procedures for transferring money back home can vary, so it’s best to speak to your bank to find out what you need to do.

Be aware that business hours may be completely different in your home country so taking care of business by phone may be very inconvenient.

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EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES

Embassy of the Republic of ArgentinaP.O. Box 3325(443 6838, [email protected])

Australian EmbassyP.O. Box 32711(401 7500, www.uae.embassy.gov.au, [email protected])

Embassy of the Republic of AustriaP.O. Box 35539(676 6611, www.austrianembassy.ae, [email protected])

Embassy of the Kingdom of BahrainP.O. Box 3367(665 7500, [email protected])

Embassy of the People’s Republic of BangladeshP.O. Box 2504(446 5100, www.bdembassyuae.org, [email protected])

Embassy of the Kingdom of BelgiumP.O. Box 3686631 9449, www.diplomatie.be, [email protected])

Embassy of the Federal Republic of BrazilP.O. Box 3027(632 0606, www.brazilembuae.ae, [email protected])

British EmbassyP.O. Box 248(610 1100, www.ukinuae.fco.gov.uk, [email protected])

Embassy of CanadaP.O. Box 6970(694 0300, www.abudhabi.gc.ca, [email protected]

Embassy of ChileP.O. Box 129949(447 2022, www.chile-uae.com, [email protected])

A lot of consulates hold cultural

events or bazaars every year for the

community, a good chance to meet

other nationalities.

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EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES

Embassy of the People’s Republic of ChinaP.O. Box 2741(443 4276, http://ae.chineseembassy.org, [email protected])

Embassy of the Arab Republic of EgyptP.O. Box 4026(444 5566, www.mfa.gov.eg, [email protected])

Embassy of FinlandP.O. Box 3634(632 8927, www.finland.ae, [email protected])

Embassy of FranceP.O. Box 4014(443 5100, www.ambafrance-eau.org, [email protected])

Embassy of the Federal Republic of GermanyP.O. Box 2591(644 6693, www.abu-dhabi.diplo.de, [email protected])

Embassy of the Republic of GreeceP.O. Box 5483(665 4847, www.mfa.gr, [email protected])

Embassy of IndiaP.O. Box 4090(449 2700, www.indembassyuae.org, [email protected])

Embassy of the Republic of IndonesiaP.O. Box 7256(445 4448, www.indoemb.org, [email protected])

Embassy of the Islamic Republic of IranP.O. Box 4080(444 7618, www.abudhabi.mfa.gov.ir, [email protected])

Embassy of ItalyP.O. Box 46752(443 5622, www.ambabudhabi.esteri.it, [email protected])

Most consulates have short opening hours and you often need to book an appointment; check with the consulate beforehand.

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Education and learning has always been our focus and our area of expertise. Our people and the people we work with all have a good understanding of what this means to us. We aim to provide students with the opportunity to be the best they can be.

helping others to be the best they can be

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Essentails Guide Abu Dhabi - Excerpt