With the foresight of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, Sharjah has become one of the most important learning centers in the Middle East. One only has to visit the impressive University City to understand the vision that lies behind this achievement. A multi-dimensional education system with a wide and varied network of schools and institutions has played a pivotal role in the development of Sharjah. Sharjah's University City, a huge six-campus development near the airport , was founded in 1997 and consists of the American University of Sharjah(AUS) , Sharjah Men's University, Sharjah Women's University, the Higher College of Technology for Men , the Higher College of Technology for Women a pioneering project in the country providing students with professional training. It also includes Sharjah Police Academy and the Sharjah Library. The colleges are affiliated to a number of universities from the United States and Great Britain. Several new schools have been established here in the past year among them the first Australian International School in the UAE. The University City is located to the east of the city and comprises several magnificent buildings. It should be visited for its architecture alone, which is influenced by the traditions of Arabia.
The weekend in the the U.A.E. for most government and public services as well as businesses runs from Friday to Saturday; for many, Thursday may be a half day (although most often work all day Saturdays). In nearly every city, commercial activity will be muted on Friday mornings, but after the noon services at the mosques most businesses open and Friday evenings can be crowded.
The major exception is during the fasting month of Ramadan, when the rhythm of life changes drastically. Restaurants (outside tourist hotels) stay closed during the daylight hours, and while most offices and shops open in the morning from 8 AM to 2 PM or so, they usually close in the afternoon while people wait (or sleep) out the last hours of the fast. After sundown, people gather to break their fast with a meal known as iftar, often held in outdoor tents (not uncommonly air-conditioned in the UAE!), which traditionally starts with dates and a sweet drink. Some offices reopen after 8 PM or so and stay open well after midnight, as many people stay up late until the morning hours. Just before sunrise, a meal called sohoor is eaten, and then the cycle repeats again.
Phone:
The country code is 971. The mobile phone network uses the GSM technology (as in Europe and Africa) and use is widespread. There are internet cafes in the major towns. The format for dialing is: +971-#-### ####, where the first "#" designates the area code. Key area codes include Dubai (4), Sharjah (6) and Abu Dhabi (2). Calls to mobile phones use the operator's area codes: (050 & 056) for Etisalat and (055 & 052) for Du. Like other countries, when dialing locally, "00" is used to access an international number (and followed by the country code) and "0" is used to access a national number (followed by the area code).
Etisalat provides all telecommunication services in the UAE. Communication facilities are excellent within the Emirates and to international destinations. Etisalat also provides GSM services, Data Services, Fax, Telex, Telegram, Payphone Facilities, Video Conference Service, Al Mersal Message Service, Clip Service, Calling Cards, Internet Services and Satellite Transmission. Calls made within the same emirate are free of Charge. Calls can also be made to other emirates at very competitive charges. Etisalat also offers International Dialing to many countries worldwide. Off peak rates are applicable from 21:00 to 7:00 am on weekdays and all day on Friday and public holidays.
Payphone (card or coin operated) can be found all over the city and often in close proximity to a park. Prepaid calling cards for Dhs 30 are available at Etisalat offices, supermarkets, pharmacies etc. Coin operated phones take Dhs 1 and 50 fils.
Mobile Phones:
Al Wasel' is a GSM prepaid, rechargeable mobile service available for visitors and tourists. The initial connection, yearly rental and SIM card costs Dhs 165 with an annual subscription of Dhs 100 thereafter. The 'Ahlan' package priced at Dhs 90 gives tourists and short-term visitors the convenience of mobile communication for 90 days plus other benefits. Credit can be recharged but it cannot be renewed after the 90-day period. Local calls are charged at 24 fils per minute during peak hours from 07:00 - 14:00 and 16:00 - midnight and 18 fils off peak. Normal IDD rates apply for all international calls.
Internet:
Services are provided through Ecompany (www.ecompany.ae) a subsidiary of Etisalat, or through du. Various options are available such as broadband(ADSL), ISDN Dial Up and other options for visitors or for occasional users who wish to browse the Internet.
General medical care in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah is quite good, with clinics for general and specialized care widely available, including some which are now open 24 hours a day. Hospitals in the major centers are well-equipped to deal with any medical emergencies. There is an ambulance system in all major population centers; however, coverage can be patchy in the more remote areas. Ambulances are designed for transportation rather than providing care as first responders, so don't expect top-flight on-site care. The main government hospital in Abu Dhabi is quite good; in Dubai, The government hospitals are Rashid hospital, which has a new Trauma Centre and Dubai Hospital which are very good. Welcare Hospital American Hospital Zulekha Hospital NMC Hospital, and Belhoul Hospital in the private sector all have a good reputation. The country is free of malaria and prophylaxis is not needed. In Sharjah, the Kuwaiti (Government) Hospital accepts expatriates. The private hospitals in Sharjah are the Zahra hospital, Zulekha Hospital and Central Private Hospital. Prices including healthcare are generally cheaper in Sharjah and although all hospitals meet the Ministry of Health standards the Central Private Hospital and Zulekha Hospitals are considered more affordable. These are your best bets (pay extra to the ambulance or taxi drivers to take you to one of these hospitals in UAE); it may save your life.
The water is safe to drink in the UAE, although most people prefer bottled water for its taste. The food is clean and in most restaurants is served to Western standards, particularly in tourist areas; however, hygiene can be an issue in some establishments outside, particularly roadside stalls. That said, food poisoning does happen, so use your common sense!
The heat in summer can reach 50 degrees C (122 degrees F), so avoid outdoors activity at the height of the day and watch out for signs of heat stroke. Be sure to drink lots of water as dehydration happens easily in such heat. If traveling off road (most of the country is desert), ensure you carry sufficient water to allow you to walk to the road should vehicles become bogged.
Although the UAE is somewhat more accommodating to handicapped travellers than other countries in the Mideast, it would nonetheless be a difficult country to navigate in a wheelchair. Curbs are high and there are few, if any, ramps or other accommodations. This includes an almost complete lack of handicapped-friendly bathrooms.
* Collected from
http://wikitravel.org/en/United_Arab_Emirates
Dubai-based international recruitment and HR consultancy Kershaw Leonard, in conjunction with Mastermind Business Consultancy, have released the latest incarnation of their annual Cost of Living Report. Sharjah is, unsurprisingly, the third most expensive city in which to rent. The Northern Emirates all show comparable increases - although increased development is likely to bring with it increased costs. In a comparison of rental prices for new contracts across the country, the starting figures for one bedroom apartments are all within touching distance. Dubai begins at Dhs 40,000, Abu Dhabi at Dhs 35,000, Ajman and Fujairah at Dhs 30,000 and Sharjah, RAK and UAQ at Dhs 25,000. Students can also rent our hostel apartments at a cost of AED 1450 or US $ 400 per month on twin sharing basis. However students who are on Skyline University College sponsorship and are not staying in UAE with their parents have to stay in the University College hostels.
Dubai has a burgeoning nightlife scene and even formerly straitlaced Abu Dhabi has loosened up and tried to catch up. Alcohol is available in liquor stores, 5-star hotel restaurants and bars in all emirates except Sharjah, where you can only drink in your home or in an expat hangout called the Sharjah Wanderers. As a tourist, you are permitted to buy alcohol in bars and restaurants to drink there. If you are a resident, you're supposed to have a liquor license (never asked for in bars) which also allows you to buy alcohol at liquor stores (they do check).
During Ramadan, no alcohol is served during daylight (fasting) hours. Dubai and Abu Dhabi permit bars to serve alcohol at night, but bands stop playing, background music is off or quiet, no dancing is allowed and nightclubs are usually closed. On certain holy days in the Islamic calendar, no alcohol is served publicly in any of the UAE.
Do not under any circumstance drink and drive in the UAE. If by chance you are in an accident, this becomes a card for going directly to jail — especially during Ramadan. Taxis are widely available if you have been drinking and are a much safer and wiser option given the insane driving habits in the region.
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