Middle East rises in popularity as overseas study destination

Employment opportunities

At 23, Tang Jiaxin is already navigating professional life in the UAE, working in administration for a Chinese construction company in Sharjah. She recently completed her university studies in Dubai and is awaiting her graduation certificate later this year.

Tang's journey to the Middle East began in 2020, when she enrolled at Heriot-Watt University Dubai. She initially chose business, but soon realized it wasn't her passion and switched to design.

"Compared with China, there's much more self-directed learning here. You have to manage your studies and life yourself," she said. "The workload is heavy. Many courses don't have final exams; instead, we submit projects or design plans, do modeling and produce drawings. Sometimes it's quite stressful."

Despite the challenges, Tang embraced student life in Dubai. She explored surrounding cities and attractions with friends and worked part-time to supplement her living expenses.

"Sometimes we eat out, sometimes we order food deliveries. There are two Chinese-run food apps here with all Chinese cuisine — it's similar to home, just slightly more expensive and occasionally slower to deliver," she said.

Tang has noticed a growing presence of Chinese in Dubai over the past two years, not only students but also businesspeople and tourists. Adjusting to cultural differences has been part of the experience.

"Pork is hard to find here. Class schedules and practical coursework are often adjusted according to local holidays," she said.

Some aspects of daily life have pleasantly surprised her. "The metro and buses have women-only carriages, which makes commuting during peak hours comfortable and less awkward," she said.

Tang sees strong employment opportunities for graduates in the Middle East. Her English proficiency, combined with her Chinese language skills, has made it relatively easy to find work in local Chinese companies. "Knowing Arabic would make job hunting even easier," she added.

For Tang, studying in Dubai has been more than just an academic journey — it's been a chance to experience a new culture, gain international work experience and prepare for a future that bridges China and the Middle East.

liyingxue@chinadaily.com.cn