'They only know Dubai': How students teach foreigners what UAE is, learn host cities' culture
Sessions featuring immersive workshops on security, substance awareness, financial planning, AI literacy, and cultural identity, will run until July 21 at Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi.
These is part of a week-long Pre-Departure Programme for over 100 Abu Dhabi Scholarship and Khotwa students, organised by the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) in partnership with 25 national and international entities.
'We want to help students enhance their positive thinking, resilience, and leadership skills, not just their academic readiness,' said Dr Bashaer Al Matrooshi, Executive Director of Talent Enablement at ADEK. 'This is the first time we run it over a week across 11 key partner centres, chosen based on student, parent and industry feedback.'
From crisis prevention to culinary survival
Abu Dhabi Police officers warned students about security threats and legal grey areas they may encounter abroad. 'Don't just report to a friend, and lure him into trouble with you,' warned Major Ahmad Al Rumaithi, speaking during a legal awareness session. 'And don't avoid reporting to avoid a scandal; if you report to official authorities they will know how to deal with the issue under discretion.'
Authorities also cautioned students against underestimating the risks of drugs and misidentifying dangerous substances, including disguised narcotics and misused herbal supplements. 'When you go there, you may be exploited or targeted," said Major Yousef Al Hammadi, from the Abu Dhabi Police Anti-Narcotics Department. 'These materials are a waste of your ambition, and even if certain substances are legal in some cities abroad, UAE law still applies to you,' he said, addressing the students.
The programme also included workshops on preserving Emirati values and showcasing national identity abroad. 'We focus on Emirati cuisine because they'll miss that — and we want them to continue to have that over there,' said Dr Al Matrooshi, explaining why students receive hands-on cooking instruction at the International Centre for Culinary Arts. The sessions, she added, help students learn how to meal prep, shop smartly, and maintain their health without relying on takeout.
Digital safety and AI use are also top priorities. Students are being taught how to prompt AI tools for research without plagiarising, and how to critically assess online content that may impact their cultural sensitivity, privacy or academic integrity.
Learning from predecessors
The programme also features insights from alumni who've experienced both challenges and transformation during their years abroad. Abdullah Al Hashmi, who studied finance in Boston under the Abu Dhabi Scholarships programme and now works at the Central Bank, recalled how little cultural awareness many American students had of the UAE — and how he used that gap as a teaching moment.
'They don't know what the UAE is. They only know Dubai,' he said. 'So, I taught them who we are. The Arabs are not one group — we have our own colours, our own cultures. That's part of our job.'
He also advised students to research their host cities thoroughly — from weather to health needs — and to understand local university rules around tuition, documentation, and visa timelines to avoid misunderstandings.
Ali Al Hosani, 22, a Khotwa student hoping to pursue sustainable engineering in Australia, said he had dropped out of IT studies before discovering his true passion. He found the sessions by Abu Dhabi Police especially valuable. 'They explained how to deal with harassment or suspicious individuals,' he said. 'And that if someone online or in person asks you to carry a bag for them — you say no.'
Abdullah Mohammed, 20, preparing to study IT in Australia, added: 'I learnt how important it is to know the legal rights in each state. And that if someone wants to inspect me, I should ask for official ID and an inspection warrant if the law requires it.'
Dr Al Matrooshi confirmed that this extended-format programme is currently a pilot — but the goal is to roll it out to all Emirati students heading abroad, regardless of which scholarship or mission they belong to. 'We've already measured its impact,' she said. 'Mental health, clarity on legal frameworks, cultural awareness — it's all improved. And the idea is to make sure students don't just adapt but thrive and represent the UAE in the best way possible.'
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