Nahla Al Fahad has produced a new documentary detailing the lives of Emirati learners pursuing their studies in America. Sarah Dea/The National.
Nahla Al Fahad has produced a new documentary detailing the lives of Emirati learners pursuing their studies in America. Sarah Dea/The National.
Nahla Al Fahad has produced a new documentary detailing the lives of Emirati learners pursuing their studies in America. Sarah Dea/The National.
Nahla Al Fahad has produced a new documentary detailing the lives of Emirati learners pursuing their studies in America. Sarah Dea/The National.

Emirati students living in US tell of struggles in new documentary


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Enterprising Emirati students who left the UAE to pursue the American dream are being celebrated in a documentary.

Emirati film maker Nahla Al Fahad has directed and produced the programme offering a unique insight into the lives of globe-trotting learners who seek to further their academic studies thousands of miles from home in America.

The thought-provoking film, The Ambassadors, was created by the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the UAE Embassy in Washington and premiered at an iftar held by the US Embassy Public Affairs Section this week.

Al Fahad said she wanted to highlight the struggles students faced and the challenges they had to overcome when going out of their comfort zone to build brighter futures for themselves.

"I didn't want to do a regular video of doing interviews and then leave home," she said. "I wanted to make something emotional to show the other side of the Emirati student's struggle. It's challenging to live alone so I wanted them to talk from their heart about their experience."

“The video highlights the creativity of young people in the UAE,” said Country Public Affairs Officer, Scott Bolz.

In the video, all students speak of their hopes of advancing their country upon their return.

“I want to try to build a better future for the Emirates (God willing). Security is an important matter. Nowadays, you should be more afraid of someone breaking into your computer than someone breaking into your home,” said Abdullah Almansoori, who is earning his Master’s in computer science at the University of Southern California.

Mr Almansoori said he is grateful for the privileges the UAE has granted him throughout his trip.

“Tuition is paid for, insurance is taken care of, and you receive medical treatment at no cost and this is a blessing,” he said.

Some students had to work hard to adapt to the new environments they were placed in.

"When I first arrived in the US, my English language was weak, to be honest," said Mohammed Almuhairbi, a finance student at American University in Washington DC. "So I was not admitted into the universities I was aiming for. I decided to live with a family for six months and it was a fantastic experience. I learned English proficiently enough to attend university."

Time management was the greatest struggle that Mira Almidfa, 28, faced while studying film production at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles.

“You face two different kinds of struggles in different kinds of intensity at the same time,” said Ms Almidfa. “Not only are you going to somewhere that is foreign to you where you have to learn how to do everything by yourself. I pretty much didn’t know how to cook or do my laundry and I had to learn that while at the same time doing film which is demanding of every hour of your day.”

The documentary also seeks to educate Emirati pupils about the application process and to show them what life in the US is like through the experiences of other students.

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Adjusting her filming schedule was Al Fahad's greatest struggle.

“Our time was tight and students were engaged in exams or projects such as Mira. She was doing her graduation project as we were filming.”

The scenes were filmed in Washington DC, Arizona and California.

There are approximately 2,800 Emirati students in the US studying at both undergraduate and graduate levels.

“We see Emirati students attending and excelling at some of our best universities in the United States. It is a testament to the talent, skill and knowledge of the young people of the UAE,” said Mr Bolz.

The United States is the top oversees destination for Emirati students to complete their higher education.

“The US and the United Arab Emirates have a very strong and dynamic relationship and education has played a key role in this relationship,” added Mr Bolz.

To help ease the transition on Emirati students, the US Embassy offers advising and guiding services through their two EducationUSA centres in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

EducationUSA is part of the US Department of State global EducationUSA network.

UK's plans to cut net migration

Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.

Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.

But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.

Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.

Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.

The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.

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Indoor cricket in a nutshell

Indoor Cricket World Cup – Sep 16-20, Insportz, Dubai

16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side

8 There are eight players per team

There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.

5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls

Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership

Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.

Zones

A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs

B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run

Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs

Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full

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UK-EU trade at a glance

EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years

Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products

Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries

Smoother border management with use of e-gates

Cutting red tape on import and export of food

Electric scooters: some rules to remember
  • Riders must be 14-years-old or over
  • Wear a protective helmet
  • Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
  • Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
  • Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
  • Do not drive outside designated lanes
if you go

The flights

Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes. 

The hotels

Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes. 

When to visit

March-May and September-November

Visas

Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.

Short-term let permits explained

Homeowners and tenants are allowed to list their properties for rental by registering through the Dubai Tourism website to obtain a permit.

Tenants also require a letter of no objection from their landlord before being allowed to list the property.

There is a cost of Dh1,590 before starting the process, with an additional licence fee of Dh300 per bedroom being rented in your home for the duration of the rental, which ranges from three months to a year.

Anyone hoping to list a property for rental must also provide a copy of their title deeds and Ejari, as well as their Emirates ID.

The Outsider

Stephen King, Penguin