Having just returned from the United Arab Emirates, India and our province's capital city, Victoria, where I met with Ministry Officials I now have the time to update my blog.
The Victoria trip was very interesting as it provided us with the opportunity to share our plans for starting off-shore programs in The UAE and in India with The Ministry of Education. They were impressed and gave us the go-ahead to continue working within the guidelines set out by Victoria to set-up Off Shore Programs in these countries and others.
In the next few months we will visit and start talks with other educational jurisdictions in other countries - throughout the Middle East and possibly South America. Stay tuned for those exciting opportunities.
As far as The UAE is concerned - well that was a surprising experience. This is a very young and rich country. And it is global in every aspect.
There are actually only a few hundred thousand Emirates living in DuBai and Abu Dhabi but there are a few million people living in these two Emirates. There are people from all over the world doing business there. And no matter where you go you see people from Western and Eastern Europe, Australia, Canada, The USA, Asia and Russia.
Construction is happening all over the city of DuBai and Abu Dhabi is right behind it. I've heard it said that 20% of the world's cranes are in the UAE and I believe it after seeing the amount of construction going on. The roads are excellent and the business people there drive very nice, newer model cars and they drive at high speed - 225 Km/hr is not out of the question.
The cost of living was surprising though. I expected it to be very high but its not outrageous. Higher than in China and India, about the same as it is Canada and the US. You can find almost anything you need as a westerner, and almost everyone speaks English.
Shopping is second nature to people all over the world and its no different in DuBai. The two huge malls in DuBai are were always full of people searching out deals in the many name-brand shops - and you can even snowboard and snow ski in the Mall of the Emirates if you wish - just Google 'Ski DuBai'.
If you enjoy warmth and sun then DuBai and Abu Dhabi are places for you with only about three days of precipitation annually. If water sports are your passion the ocean water is clear and warm, if running, hiking, and walking is your way of staying in shape - the sky is clear and clean and its flat, but if golf turns you on - the golf courses are green and not over-crowded.
There is a Formula One Race Track, there is a thorough bred horse race track, and for the fun lovers there are amusement parks - all within a few minutes cab ride. The night life is certainly world class and the tourist attractions like Desert Treks and Camel Rides are plentiful.
And you are not very far from other world class locations and either the Emirates Airline or Etihad Airlines are absolute first class organizations. Enjoy!
I found The UAE and in particularly DuBai and Abu Dahbi to be very liberal - far from what I expected. While the dress is business like in the city centre its very casual for both men and women alike after work and while out enjoying life in the "desert".
I particularly enjoyed the food there. It is food from all over the world - it reflects the globalization of this new country. Yemanese, Lebanese, Indian, Chinese, Arabic, European, Western - it doesn't matter what your taste buds desire - its there. And there watchful eye can find a deal too.
As I traveled throughout DuBai and Abu Dhabi I couldn't help but notice the buildings. Someone had sent me an e-mail before my last visit - it was all about DuBai from 1993 to the present and how it had grown. You just have to see for yourself. Go to Google Earth and check out the man-made islands in the Gulf, the most expensive hotel in the world and the tallest building in the world. Go to Google Photos and Google 'DuBai' and see for yourself. It is a place worth seeing.
I expect to return to DuBai and Abu Dhabi in the winter as our school will probably be going through a Candidate Status Review by the BC Ministry of Education. I look forward to returning.
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