TJ UAE

How did Dubai Get its Name? and other Factoids

2009-09-13T08:10:00.003+04:00

1. Here are some quick facts about Dubai and tips for travelers here....................

Dubai, UAE Factoids and Trivia Any Traveler Would Want to Know

2. Brush up on the UAE (if you need it) with these two quizzes:

Here's a fun little quiz about the UAE in general , that's helpful to learn a few quick facts about UAE.

I only got one wrong, masha Allah.

This UAE quiz was a little harder...(for me at least), I missed 3. How about you?

These are neat because they give you a little extra information in the answers............

Have fun!

Homeschooling in UAE: UAE currency workbook

2009-09-12T07:58:00.000+04:00

A sister has put together a workbook to teach/practice using UAE currency.

You can download it from SCRIBD: http://www.scribd.com/doc/7813985/UAE-Currency
It's pretty large (86MB) and its really nice, masha Allah.

Umm Ibrahim

Welcome to TJ UAE!

2009-09-06T10:22:00.003+04:00

Thanks for stopping by. My name is Umm Ibrahim and I am an American Muslim expat living in the UAE. If you are looking for information about making hijrah to UAE, relocating to UAE, or visiting UAE, I hope you will find the resources and my personal accounts helpful.

If you are undecided about where to make your hijrah to, you might stop by my other blog, TJ Yemen which I maintained while we were in Yemen. It has loads of information about day to day life in Yemen and what you can expect when you get there.

If you are a homeschooler, I have included homeschooling information (and hope to add more) here as well. I also maintain a homeschooling web site, Talibiddeen Jr. and a companion blog to that site, Talibiddeen Jr. Companion blog. If you are looking for free home education resources and information about homeschooling (secular or Islamic), stop by today, insha Allah!

Again, thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy your visit..........................................

Opening up a Bank Account in the UAE

2009-08-22T02:21:00.004+04:00

Ready to open up a bank account in the UAE? or want to know what you'll need to do/have before you get here?

Expat-Bl og.com has a guide on setting up a bank account

Friday UAE Factoids: What is the largest store in the UAE?

2009-08-21T02:47:00.001+04:00

Quizzes by Quibblo.com

You can find the answer to this question here: http://www.articlealley.com/article_550007_29.html

Hijrah Kids* activity:
1. How big is this store?
2. What kinds of things does it sell?
3. What mall is it located in?

*Hijrah Kids is a collection of resources/activities to help kids explore their new home abroad and gives them some activities to do while you are getting settled in.

Kids Go Free Dubai Promotions

2009-08-20T16:02:00.001+04:00

"Many of Dubai’s leading family attractions are offering free entry to children under 16 as part of the Government of Dubai, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing’s (DTCM) ‘Kids Go Free’ promotion, which runs throughout Ramadan. Valid for guests staying at 75 participating properties, these offers are available at Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, Dubai Ice Rink at Dubai Mall, The Montgomerie Golf Club and a trio of attractions at Atlantis The Palm: Aquaventure, Lost Chambers and Dolphin Bay."

Source: Wandering Educators (link to blog post)

What's there to do in the UAE?

2009-08-20T02:26:00.002+04:00

An easier question might be "What can't we do?"

Well, Thursday is "Things to Do/See in the UAE" day. (The work week is from Sunday to Thursday for those who don't know).

Do you live in UAE? If so, please take a minute to recommend some great family friendly places that you have been to.......

Dubai Metro

2009-08-19T02:34:00.000+04:00

Last year it was 8/8/08, the start of the Olympics, this year its 9/9/09.....

the launching of Dubai Metro.....

"Dubai Metro is the Middle East’s first automated rail transport system and the world’s longest."

Explore this historic event at the Dubai Metro Information site: http://dubaimetro.eu/dubai-metro-project

See a short video of its development....

What is the education system like in the UAE?

2009-08-18T02:11:00.002+04:00

Learn a little about the UAE public/private education system from Education in the UAE

Related site of interest: Ministry of Education

Investor's Guide to the UAE

2009-08-17T01:48:00.003+04:00

Interested in investing in the UAE?
This guide might be helpful.

Published by the Ministry of Economy:

Download PDF:

http://www.economy.ae/English/EconomicAndStatisticReports/Documents/72-81MOE%20Chap4.pdf

Covers: (download by topic)

The United Arab Emirates
Business Infrastructure
Business Options in UAE
Forming a Company
A Survey by Sector
Regional Opportunities
Suggestion for further reading
Useful Addresses

Cost of Living in Dubai?

2009-08-16T03:13:00.001+04:00

Several expats chime in on the cost of different things (utilities, rent, etc) in Dubai:
http://www.expat-blog.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=5204

Insha Allah as I get a feel for what things cost, I'll post some prices here....

Just moving to UAE (or will be soon)?

2009-08-15T02:02:00.000+04:00

Welcome2Welcome.com has a special booklet entitled, Welcome and Learn About the UAE.

The purpose of the booklet is "to help new visitors and residents of the United Arab Emirates understand more about the country, its heritage, culture, traditions, arts, sports and other aspects. Your Welcome booklet provides quick facts and information including important contact details. The price of each booklet is AED 10, and booklets are available across the UAE - just look for the 'Welcome' sign! We wish you a pleasant stay in the UAE, and hope that this Welcome booklet will be useful for you, your family and friends!"

A little housewarming opportunity comes with it..... There is a ticket on the back of each book, if your number matches the draw, you could win cash prizes, from AED 5 to AED 25,000!
See your book and site for details.....

Setting Up a Business in the UAE

2009-08-15T01:38:00.002+04:00

"All businesses, whether industrial, professional, trading or services, must be licensed to operate in the UAE. Licensing procedures vary from emirate to emirate and the relevant details are available from the individual Chambers of Commerce.
The Commercial Companies Law and the Trade Agencies Law constitute the primary federal legislative framework controlling commercial activities in the UAE. These instruments can be downloaded from the Ministry of Economy web site."

Source: http://www.uaeinteract.com/business/settingup.asp

Driving in Dubai....Getting a License

2009-08-13T14:56:00.002+04:00

If you'd like to know what's required to get a license to drive in the UAE, here's a helpful article over at Expat-Blog.com:

Driving in Dubai

Retail Promotions in the UAE

2009-08-10T14:59:00.004+04:00

Logta.com has a retailers guide of many retailers in UAE which links to promotions that different retailers have from grocery stores to car dealerships to electronics and clothes stores.

Grocery Stores in the UAE

2009-08-10T14:33:00.003+04:00

We've just been here a few weeks so I am still getting familiar with the prices of things and what's here.

A few of the major grocery stores that I have noticed here so far are:

Lulu Hypermarket

Carrefour
You can see what they offer here as well as promotions (such as Ramadan ones).

Store Locator

Panda Hypermarket
See specials to get an idea of what things cost here.

These stores have electronics, clothing, etc in addition to food, basically like WalMart (which I haven't been to in about 7 years since we left the US).

K12 in UAE

2009-08-10T09:33:00.001+04:00

"The K¹² International Academy has an administrative office in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, which allows students residing in the Arabian Gulf region—including United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar—to enjoy the benefits of the full K¹² International Academy program at home. Students who enroll in the K¹² International Academy, including those in countries served by our Dubai office and who meet the Academy graduation requirements, are eligible for a U.S. accredited diploma."

Website: http://www.k12.com/int/arabian_gulf/

Maps of Parks in UAE

2009-08-09T20:43:00.002+04:00

Nice satellite map that you can zoom in on of parks in the UAE.....
http://www.gulfnews.com/Nation/Leisure/10216026.html

It's a google satellite application so you can zoom in and see satellite pictures as well of the cities in general......

Article: Parents in UAE opt for e-schooling as 'challenging alternative'

2009-08-09T20:30:00.003+04:00

Article:

Parents in UAE opt for e-schooling as 'challenging alternative'

http://www.gulfnews.com/Nation/Education/10232009.html
"Dubai: Online schools are the latest addition to the home schooling option in the UAE. The US-based K12 International Academy, an online school offering courses for students starting kindergarten all the way to Grade 12, recently opened a branch in Dubai's Knowledge Village." Read the article at the link above......

For more information about K12 in UAE, visit: http://www.dubaifaqs.com/k12-international-academy.php. It includes contact information. Students can receive a US or UAE diploma.

What is Dubai Knowledge Village?
http://www.dubaifaqs.com/dubai-knowledge-village.php
"Dubai Knowledge Village (DKV or KV) is a Free Zone in Dubai which focuses on educational organisations with a range of companies and services from consultants to universities and training institutes. DKV was launched in September 2003 and has grown rapidly since then - "
Read more about DKV at the link above.....

Homeschool related editorials from Gulf News

2009-08-09T20:19:00.002+04:00

The first page gives a few thoughts on homeschooling from the Gulf News editorials in 2008.

home schooling

Must Expats register their children to homeschool?

2009-08-09T19:55:00.003+04:00

No, according to a forum post here: http://homeschoolspot.com/showthread.php?p=194808

"No, you don't have to register your child with the Ministry of Education, as you are an expat.(its meant for children of Emirati parents)

In Dubai, there is a small but good library that we use . It is located next to the Mall of the Emirates."

Another post gives some information about the costs of certain things in Dubai.

Article: Teacher Mom

2009-08-09T19:40:00.001+04:00

An account of an American (non Muslim) mom homeschooling in UAE

http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/07/08/16/10147037.html

A really good read.

"Home Truths"

2009-08-09T19:24:00.002+04:00

Article: "Home Truths"

http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/08/12/01/10263982.html

Excerpts:

"A growing number of families in Dubai are finding an upbeat alternative to traditional schools: their home. As families face school admission waitlists, the sometimes crippling cost of private education, and curricula that fall short of parents’ expectations, home schooling is increasingly becoming an attractive option."

"While personal reasons for home schooling are varied, most families have one thing in common – they prefer to remain anonymous. This is not for legal reasons – the UAE Ministry of Education is aware of the growing home school movement and though it isn’t prohibited – as it is in some other countries - bureaucracy can cause problems. Some families say that school transfer papers are difficult to produce when (and if) the child needs to enter a mainstream school."

The guardedness most families display is necessary, they say, to protect themselves and their children from the constant fire otherwise attracted from the UAE’s more conservative majority, who often spurn what they believe to be eccentric or even irresponsible education methods.

American statistics more accurately evaluate just how socialised their home schooled children actually are. Using a checklist of the 97 most common behaviour problems displayed by children, one study found that those attending conventional schools were more than eight times more likely to display any one of them than home-schooled children.

Once they reach adulthood, 71 per cent of those home schooled are actively involved in the community, compared to 39 per cent of the general population. Dr. Knowles from the University of Michigan, found that of the home-educated adults he interviewed, none were unemployed or on welfare; 94 per cent stated that their home schooling had prepared them for life as an independent person, 79 per cent indicated that they were better able to interact with individuals from all levels of society, and nearly all would home school their own children. The same report found home schooled children to be “happier, better adjusted, more thoughtful, competent, and sociable than those either sent to public or private schools.”

Read more at the link above.....

Home schooling gaining popularity in Abu Dhabi

2009-08-09T19:18:00.002+04:00

Home schooling gaining popularity in Abu Dhabi

Article:
http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Education/10259233.html

UAE Homeschooling Woes?

2009-08-09T17:55:00.005+04:00

Even before we got here, I heard about the trouble that many homeschoolers had when trying to put their children into traditional schools here. Many said that children would have to be started from Grade 1 regardless of what grade they were in in homeschool.

I came across a few forums which discussed this issue, you can read perspectives here:

ExPat Forum Homeschooling Thread

and here at the Abu Dhabi Woman Forum.

You may want to contact the UAE Ministry of Education for yourself.

Is homeschooling in UAE legal?

2009-08-09T17:00:00.007+04:00

I came across this article in the Gulf News, a paper here in the UAE discussing homeschooling here.
http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Education/10232029.html

Brief summary of points:

Many parents are considering homeschooling as a way to beat the high cost of private schools....

According to the article, a homeschooling curriculum is offered by the Ministry of Education and open to all, but it is only in Arabic.

"Home-schooling is authorised for UAE nationals from grade 6 if the pupil is over 14 years. Home-schooling is open to expats from grade 1, even if the child is in the same age group as other pupils. Home-learners, currently 14,000, can register at the education zone of their emirate and have to pay Dh150, covering book expenses."

Education-Homeschooling-Laws

2009-08-09T17:00:00.002+04:00

Is homeschooling legal in the UAE?

I came across this article in the Gulf News, a paper here in the UAE.

Homeschooling in UAE: perspectives

2009-08-09T16:49:00.004+04:00

Homeschooling in Dubai
This post on the American Muslim in Dubai blog shares views on homeschooling in Dubai and it links to what the UAE Education Minister had to say on homeschooling. (I couldn't find the comments at the link provided in the post the time I tried).

Dubai Airport

2009-08-09T16:43:00.002+04:00

Dubai Airport

The code for the Dubai Airport is DXB.

The Dubai Airport website is www.dubaiairport.com

Quick Facts about the Dubai International Airport

Over 443,581 passengers can travel out of Dubai, AE every week.
There are 564 nonstop flights out of Dubai, AE per week that have over 300 seats per aircraft
The longest flight from Dubai, AE is 8,323 miles.
There are over 1,440 long haul flights per week from Dubai, AE.
The largest aircraft flying out of Dubai, AE is a 380 with 489 seats.
Dubai, AE connects with 157 cities nonstop.
There are 157 nonstop flights per week departing from Dubai, AE.
Dubai, AE has 339 flights departing per week for short haul destinations.

Source: http://www.farecompare.com/flights/Dubai-DXB/city.html

A Few Rules of the Road in the UAE

2009-08-08T12:55:00.006+04:00

When we lived in Yemen, I never really learned the driving rules (not a problem since we always took taxis).

In Yemen, the majority of the cars that you seemed to see on the road were taxis, its completely the opposite here.

So here are some helpful driving rules if you are new to UAE (Source: UAE Road Atlas by Explorer Publishing). Each emirate has a police website so check that for more details/updated information.

Passengers

Children under the age of 10 are not permitted to sit in the front of a car.

Seat Belts

Seatbelts are mandatory in the front seats.

Driving

Drivers drive on the right hand side of the road
Behavior: Rude gestures such as using the middle finger, can result in prison as can cursing out other drivers.

Insurance

Most UAE insurance is not valid for travel into Oman or trips into the desert. At Hatta, there are booths near the border that offer coverage for a weekend.

UAE Job Search Engines: Nadia-ME.com

2009-08-07T21:01:00.002+04:00

TJ UAE

How did Dubai Get its Name? and other Factoids

Dubai, UAE Factoids and Trivia Any Traveler Would Want to Know

2. Brush up on the UAE (if you need it) with these two quizzes:

Here's a fun little quiz about the UAE in general , that's helpful to learn a few quick facts about UAE.

Homeschooling in UAE: UAE currency workbook

Welcome to TJ UAE!

Opening up a Bank Account in the UAE

Friday UAE Factoids: What is the largest store in the UAE?

Kids Go Free Dubai Promotions

What's there to do in the UAE?

Dubai Metro

What is the education system like in the UAE?

Investor's Guide to the UAE

Cost of Living in Dubai?

Just moving to UAE (or will be soon)?

Setting Up a Business in the UAE

Driving in Dubai....Getting a License

Retail Promotions in the UAE

Grocery Stores in the UAE

K12 in UAE

Maps of Parks in UAE

Article: Parents in UAE opt for e-schooling as 'challenging alternative'

Parents in UAE opt for e-schooling as 'challenging alternative'

Homeschool related editorials from Gulf News

Must Expats register their children to homeschool?

Article: Teacher Mom

"Home Truths"

Home schooling gaining popularity in Abu Dhabi

Home schooling gaining popularity in Abu Dhabi

UAE Homeschooling Woes?

Is homeschooling in UAE legal?

Education-Homeschooling-Laws

Homeschooling in UAE: perspectives

Dubai Airport

Dubai Airport

A Few Rules of the Road in the UAE

UAE Job Search Engines: Nadia-ME.com