When Fuzeya Ahmad flew from Dubai to the UK four years ago, the first thing that struck her were the accents.
Everyone sounded "like Harry Potter", taking her back to her childhood days watching the much-loved film series.
And within weeks of moving into her accommodation at the University of Bristol, Ms Ahmad, 18, was soon settled in to that age-old British tradition; complaining about the weather.
I quickly settled in. Apart from complaining about the weather, I think my favourite pastimes were cycling, hiking trips and reading in the park
Fuzeya Ahmad,
University of Bristol
“I had only visited the UK once before moving to university but during that first visit I fell in love with the country and I knew I wanted to pursue my studies there,” she told The National.
“I was 18 and had just graduated from high school. I think for a lot of students moving abroad can be daunting but I wasn’t nervous, I had this sense of excitement about living alone in a new place.
“I remember on the plane over I was a typical tourist. I got my photograph taken in the cockpit and when I look at that picture now, I see the excitement in my face.”
Although it was her first time living away from her family in Dubai, the Emirati graduate, now 23, said she instantly felt at home in Britain.
Studying for a LLB law degree in Bristol, Ms Ahmad, who graduated and moved back to the UAE this summer, is one of hundreds of Emirati students that choose to study in the UK each year.
For many international students it offers the chance to gain a world-class education, open the doors to a dream career path and the opportunity to perfect their English.
UK felt like a second home
In the four years she lived there, Ms Ahmad said the UK became her second home.
“I quickly settled in. Apart from complaining about the weather, I think my favourite pastimes were cycling, hiking trips and reading in the park," she said.
“I really loved the variation when it came to travel and all the historic sites to visit in London, Cumbria, Oxford and Bath.
“On the rare occasion I did feel homesick, I would take a day trip into London and meet friends and go for Emirati food.
“That was the thing with the UK, it was so diverse and had such a mix of nationalities all living together that it was easy to feel close to home.”
For Helal Ahmed Almheiri, 19, the UK dream is still a reality.
On Wednesday, the Abu Dhabi resident caught a flight to London to start his second year at the University of Bath.
Studying international management, he said it was his brother who inspired him to head to a university overseas.
“At first I wanted to keep my options open so I applied to courses in the US, Canada and Japan too, but when I went to my brother’s graduation in the UK I got this feeling that that was where I wanted to be,” he said.
“I think for Emiratis it’s a popular place to study because the UK is somewhat romanticised in the media.
“Since a young age I remember my mum loving the UK and we would visit for holidays. So many Arab mums loved Princess Diana, too.”
He was only 17 when he made the move to his private accommodation in Bath as a fresher and Mr Almheiri said it was a bit of a culture shock having to "fend for himself in a new country" but he soon found his feet.
Now, he has a great routine and often goes running in the park, spends time in the library and meets friends from all circles of life for social gatherings.
“I know it’s a cliche but it feels like a second home,” he said.
“I’m in a new country, enjoying new experiences, all while getting a quality education. It’s the perfect mix.
“The day I graduate and have to move back home will be bittersweet, but who knows, I might return again to do my postgraduate degree.”
First-rate education system makes UK attractive
Omar Aljaziri, a consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Dubai, graduated from King’s College London early this summer.
After spending four years in the UK, he said he is still getting used to being back home.
“Oh, I miss it a lot, so, so much,” he said.
“I remember when I first got to London and moved into my dorm room, it’s an experience I won’t forget. It’s an experience every university student should have.
“I don’t know what it was about London, it was just this melting pot. While the place didn’t remind me of home, the people did.”
The goal to study abroad was always on Mr Aljaziri’s radar. Throughout high school his parents encouraged him to look at opportunities in the US and UK.
In 2017 he was accepted for a foundation programme in London and the following year he started a bachelor’s degree in law and international relations.
“The UK education system has a lot to offer and a lot of UAE leaders received their education there, so it’s like a seal of approval I guess,” he said.
“I think many Emiratis choose to study there because they treat foreigners with respect and with the UAE and UK as strong allies, it adds a sense of comfort for families sending children abroad.”
Like Mr Aljaziri, Eman Alseyabi, now 21, moved to the UK alone when she was just 17.
After graduating from Queen Mary University in London this summer, she said she remembers her time there fondly.
“What makes a country a second home is how comfortable you feel there,” she said.
“Having visited the UK before I moved there for university, I already felt familiar with the place. The food, the culture, the people, that was my comfort. I loved the diversity.”
After spending “hours crying on the plane” during that initial move, she said it only took a matter of days before the feeling of homesickness wore off.
Like many Emirati students, she became involved with the UAE embassy in the UK and quickly sought out spots in London that helped to remind her of home.
“Embassies play a huge role in helping international students integrate. I got involved in events for nationals days, Ramadan and Eid, which really made me feel welcome,” she said.
“When I first moved to university I didn’t know so many Khaleeji people existed in London but after a few months we started to meet each other and mix.
“And whenever I felt homesick I would go to my favourite spots for home-made Emirati food and music.”
Last-16 Europa League fixtures
Wednesday (Kick-offs UAE)
FC Copenhagen (0) v Istanbul Basaksehir (1) 8.55pm
Shakhtar Donetsk (2) v Wolfsburg (1) 8.55pm
Inter Milan v Getafe (one leg only) 11pm
Manchester United (5) v LASK (0) 11pm
Thursday
Bayer Leverkusen (3) v Rangers (1) 8.55pm
Sevilla v Roma (one leg only) 8.55pm
FC Basel (3) v Eintracht Frankfurt (0) 11pm
Wolves (1) Olympiakos (1) 11pm
Titan Sports Academy:
Programmes: Judo, wrestling, kick-boxing, muay thai, taekwondo and various summer camps
Location: Inside Abu Dhabi City Golf Club, Al Mushrif, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Telephone: 971 50 220 0326
DIVINE%20INTERVENTOIN
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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
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
'The Ice Road'
Director: Jonathan Hensleigh
Stars: Liam Neeson, Amber Midthunder, Laurence Fishburne
2/5
Defined benefit and defined contribution schemes explained
Defined Benefit Plan (DB)
A defined benefit plan is where the benefit is defined by a formula, typically length of service to and salary at date of leaving.
Defined Contribution Plan (DC)
A defined contribution plan is where the benefit depends on the amount of money put into the plan for an employee, and how much investment return is earned on those contributions.
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Key recommendations
- Fewer criminals put behind bars and more to serve sentences in the community, with short sentences scrapped and many inmates released earlier.
- Greater use of curfews and exclusion zones to deliver tougher supervision than ever on criminals.
- Explore wider powers for judges to punish offenders by blocking them from attending football matches, banning them from driving or travelling abroad through an expansion of ‘ancillary orders’.
- More Intensive Supervision Courts to tackle the root causes of crime such as alcohol and drug abuse – forcing repeat offenders to take part in tough treatment programmes or face prison.
Schedule
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MATCH INFO
Real Madrid 2 (Benzema 13', Kroos 28')
Barcelona 1 (Mingueza 60')
Red card: Casemiro (Real Madrid)
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: ten-speed
Power: 420bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: Dh325,125
On sale: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Super 30
Produced: Sajid Nadiadwala and Phantom Productions
Directed: Vikas Bahl
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Pankaj Tripathi, Aditya Srivastav, Mrinal Thakur
Rating: 3.5 /5
Company profile
Name: Fruitful Day
Founders: Marie-Christine Luijckx, Lyla Dalal AlRawi, Lindsey Fournie
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2015
Number of employees: 30
Sector: F&B
Funding so far: Dh3 million
Future funding plans: None at present
Future markets: Saudi Arabia, potentially Kuwait and other GCC countries
Full Party in the Park line-up
2pm – Andreah
3pm – Supernovas
4.30pm – The Boxtones
5.30pm – Lighthouse Family
7pm – Step On DJs
8pm – Richard Ashcroft
9.30pm – Chris Wright
10pm – Fatboy Slim
11pm – Hollaphonic
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Related
Company%20Profile
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DUNE%3A%20PART%20TWO
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Denis%20Villeneuve%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Timothee%20Chamalet%2C%20Zendaya%2C%20Austin%20Butler%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Panipat
Director Ashutosh Gowariker
Produced Ashutosh Gowariker, Rohit Shelatkar, Reliance Entertainment
Cast Arjun Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Kriti Sanon, Mohnish Behl, Padmini Kolhapure, Zeenat Aman
Rating 3 /5 stars
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Veil (Object Lessons)
Rafia Zakaria
Bloomsbury Academic
The specs
Engine: 5.2-litre V10
Power: 640hp at 8,000rpm
Torque: 565Nm at 6,500rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: From Dh1 million
On sale: Q3 or Q4 2022
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Takreem Awards winners 2021
Corporate Leadership: Carl Bistany (Lebanon)
Cultural Excellence: Hoor Al Qasimi (UAE)
Environmental Development and Sustainability: Bkerzay (Lebanon)
Environmental Development and Sustainability: Raya Ani (Iraq)
Humanitarian and Civic Services: Women’s Programs Association (Lebanon)
Humanitarian and Civic Services: Osamah Al Thini (Libya)
Excellence in Education: World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) (Qatar)
Outstanding Arab Woman: Balghis Badri (Sudan)
Scientific and Technological Achievement: Mohamed Slim Alouini (KSA)
Young Entrepreneur: Omar Itani (Lebanon)
Lifetime Achievement: Suad Al Amiry (Palestine)
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
The biog
Alwyn Stephen says much of his success is a result of taking an educated chance on business decisions.
His advice to anyone starting out in business is to have no fear as life is about taking on challenges.
“If you have the ambition and dream of something, follow that dream, be positive, determined and set goals.
"Nothing and no-one can stop you from succeeding with the right work application, and a little bit of luck along the way.”
Mr Stephen sells his luxury fragrances at selected perfumeries around the UAE, including the House of Niche Boutique in Al Seef.
He relaxes by spending time with his family at home, and enjoying his wife’s India cooking.
The%20specs
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
