AmericanUniversityinDubai Nov29-Dec32014 Dubai

Transcription

1 AmericanUniversityinDubai Nov29-Dec32014 Dubai

2 Welcome Package Table of Contents Welcome Package... 1 About the United Arab Emirates... 2 About Dubai... 2 The American University in Dubai - 10 th GSF host... 2 Campus Rules... 2 Landmarks/Rest and Recreation... 2 Language... 3 Weather Forecast... 3 Timezone... 4 Currency Exchange Rate... 4 Credit Cards... 4 Phones/Sims... 4 Means of Transport... 4 Accommodation, arrival and departure dates... 7 Local Contacts Emergency Numbers Appropriate Prices Important Notes... 10

3 About the United Arab Emirates The United Arab Emirates is a constitutional federation of seven emirates; Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al-Qaiwain, Ras al-khaimah and Fujairah. The federation was formally established on December 2nd1971. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) occupies an area of 83,600 sq km along the southeastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula. Qatar lies to the west, Saudi Arabia to the south and west, and Oman to the north and east. The capital and the largest city of the federation, Abu Dhabi is located in the emirate of the same name. Four-fifths of the UAE is desert, yet it is a country of contrasting landscapes, from awe-inspiring dunes to rich oases, precipitous Rocky Mountains to fertile plains. About Dubai Dubai is one of the few cities in the world that has undergone such a rapid transformation - from a humble beginning as a pearl-diving center - to one of the fastest growing cities on earth. Dubai today is a tourism, trade and logistics hub and has earned itself the reputation of being the gateway between the east and the west. It is also considered as the dynamic nucleus of the Arabian Gulf region. Home to just over 2 million people from more than 200 nationalities, Dubai is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. The American University in Dubai - 10 th GSF host The School of Engineering at the American University in Dubai provides students with a unique opportunity to experience American-style engineering education in one of the fastest growing and most diverse metropolitan areas in the world. Strategically situated in the west suburbs of Dubai, the American University in Dubai s campus adjoins Media City, Internet City and Dubai Marina, and is located within a mile from the Palm Jumeirah, The World Islands, and Jebel Ali Free Zone. The School offers undergraduate programs leading to Bachelor of Science degrees in Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. Campus Rules American University in Dubai is a non-smoking campus. There are certain areas that are designated for smoking. Inappropriate attire such as, but not limited to is not allowed: Tight or revealing clothing Short shorts and micro-skirts Cleavage-baring tops or dresses Sagging jeans or jeans with suggestive holes or markings T-shirts with inappropriate logos or language Midriff-baring, open-back or halter tops Landmarks/Rest and Recreation Burj Khalifa Burj Khalifa is a skyscraper in Dubai, and is the tallest man-made structure in the world, at over 828 metres (2,716.5 feet) and more than 160 stories. Not only is Burj Khalifa the world s tallest building, it has also broken two other impressive records: tallest structure, previously held by the 2

4 KVLY-TV mast in Blanchard, North Dakota, and tallest free-standing structure, previously held by Toronto s CN Tower. Dubai Mall Fountains Set on the 30-acre Burj Khalifa Lake, the fountain shoots water jets as high as 500 ft. The fountain is 900 ft long and has five circles of varying sizes and two central arcs. The Dubai Fountain performs daily, between 7:00 Pm and 11:00 Pm. Madinat Jumeirah Madinat Jumeirah the Arabian Resort - Dubai, is a luxurious 5 star resort in Dubai and is also the largest resort in the emirate, spreading across over 40 hectares of landscapes and gardens. It is designed to resemble a traditional Arabian town. The resort comprises two boutique hotels (Al Qasr and Mina A'Salam) and a courtyard of 29 summerhouses called Dar Al Masyaf. The resort has over 40 restaurants and bars. Burj Al Arab Burj Al Arab is one of the well-known hotels of Dubai. It is recognized as a landmark of Dubai among visitors. This seven-star hotel is the fourth tallest hotel of the world with height of 321 meters. Its top floor touches skies. Being standing on an artificial island, it is 280 m away from Beach Jumeirah. Its most interesting feature is that its shape looks like sail of a ship. The Palm Jumeirah Palm Jumeirah is the world s largest man-made island and is comprised of a two-kilometer long trunk, a crown made up of 17 fronds and a surrounding crescent. The island features beachfront properties, including waterfront apartments, villas, restaurants and hotels, all with spectacular views of the sea. The residential areas are located on the trunk and fronds of the island while hotels are located on the breakwater that surrounds The Palm. The breakwater is accessible through an underwater tunnel or the monorail. Language Arabic is the national and official language of the United Arab Emirates. English is used as a second language and is used by almost everyone. Weather Forecast It is advised that you bring a light jacket with you since some places might have the airconditioning set at low uncomfortable temperatures. 3

5 Timezone UTC/GMT +4 hours Currency Exchange Rate The local currency is Dirhams (AED). 1 USD ~ AED Credit Cards Credit cards such as American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. Phones/Sims There are currently two mobile companies in Dubai. Du Etisalat Buying a local SIM card from Du costs around AED 55 with a free charge of AED 20. They are available at authorized dealers across the UAE or at one of the airport branches. The Etisalat visitor line is for AED 35 with 25 minutes local/international, 25 SMS local/international and 100MB mobile data. The Visitor Line is available at all airport arrivals in UAE, Etisalat outlets in airports, duty free shops across Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah and any Etisalat Business Centre or outlet in any mall and other key tourist spots. Passport with valid UAE visa is required to purchase the SIM Cards. Means of Transport Nol Card is a smart card that enables you to pay for the use of various RTA transport modes in Dubai with a single card. You can use your Nol Card to travel on Dubai s Metro, Buses and Water Buses. Metro The Dubai Metro is a driverless, fully automated metro rail network. The Red Line and Green Line are operational, with three further lines planned Nol Red Ticket is a paper-based card that can be bought from any ticket vending machine or ticket office for only AED It can be loaded with up to 10 Trips. It is perfect for use by tourists and visitors to Dubai. However it can be used for either bus or metro only. Each metro station has feeder bus lines with route maps. Eating and drinking in the metro is not allowed. There is a special cabin for women and children only. Private cabin is for gold class cardholders only. Metro Station working hours is as follows: Sunday Wednesday 5:50 am 0:00 Thursday 5:30 am 1:00 am 4

6 Friday 10:00 am 1:00 am Saturday 5:50 am 0:00 List of Red Line Stations: Rashidiya Emirates Airport Terminal 3 Airport Terminal 1 GGICO Deira City Centre Al Rigga Union Square Khalid Bin Al Waleed Al Karama Al Jafiliya World Trade Center (WEEF Venue) Emirates Towers Financial Centre Burj Khalifa Business Bay Noor Bank First Gulf Bank Mall of the Emirates Sharaf DG (Ibis Hotel) Dubai Internet City Nakheel (AUD - GSF Venue) Dubai Marina Jumeirah Lake Towers Nakheel Harbour and Towers Ibn Battuta Jebel Ali Industrial Jebel Ali 5

7 Metro Fares are as follows: 6

8 Taxi Minimum taxi fare is 10 AED. Salik Toll charges (4 AED per toll gate) will be added to taxi fares automatically. On average, a trip from the airport to Ibis hotel will cost 100 AED. Starting meter fare: Taxi Hire From 6:00am to 10:00 pm From 10:00pm to 6:00 am Hired on Road Street Pickup 3 AED 3.5 AED Booking through Dispatch Center 6 AED 7 AED Airport Small Vehicle 20 AED 20 AED Airport-Large Vehicle 25 AED 25 AED To book a taxi call: Buses The Public Bus Transport system in Dubai is operated by the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) and consists of 734 peak bus schedules, which are run on 79 bus routes covering over 264,000 km on certain working days. Service volumes are adjusted accordingly on Fridays and public holidays to meet with passenger demand. Please visit the following link for more information about bus fares and schedules: bus.com/ Accommodation, arrival and departure dates You will be staying in the Ibis Hotel Al Barsha, Sheikh Zayed Road in double rooms. The 800$ GSF registration package covers hotel accommodation from the night of 29 th of November till the night of the 5 th of December. Extra nights can be booked at the hotel subject to availability. You are expected to reach Dubai on the 29 th of November between 7:00 Am and 7:00 Pm. GSF organizers will be meeting you at the airport during this time and providing you with assistance to reach the hotel. If you will be arriving to Dubai outside this time, you can easily take a taxi and ask him to take you to Ibis Hotel- Al Barsha on Sheikh Zayed Road. If you are landing in Dubai International Airport Terminals 1 or 3, you can easily take the Metro Red Line Jebel Ali Platform and stop at Sharaf DG Station which is on a 10 min walking distance from the hotel. You can take a taxi from the metro station to the hotel as well. 7

9 Airport Terminal 1 to Ibis Hotel Airport Terminal 2 to Ibis Hotel Airport Terminal 3 to Ibis Hotel Al Maktoum Airport to Ibis Hotel 8

10 AUD to Ibis Hotel World Trade Center to Ibis Hotel Ibis Hotel to AUD Ibis Hotel to Dubai World Trade Center 9

11 Local Contacts Name Phone Number Address Alexandra Semaan Pameline Martin American University in Dubai Ibis Hotel Emergency Numbers Service Telephone Police 999 (emergency), 901( non-emergency) Ambulance 998/999 Fire Department 997 Appropriate Prices Big Mac Pizza Coke Mineral Water Cinema 20 AED AED 2 AED 1.5 AED AED Important Notes Normal photography is acceptable, but photographing Muslim women is likely to cause offence. The electricity supply is 220/240 volts. US made appliances may need a transformer. The legal age limit for consuming alcohol is 21. Consuming alcohol anywhere besides some licensed venues is illegal. Wearing a bikini, swimming suit or swimming trunks are only permitted on beaches. Public displays of affection such as kissing are illegal. In public places, such as malls and restaurants, everything from shoulders to knees needs to be covered. Clothing that is too tight, see-through or revealing is also not allowed. 10

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