Students from the UAE planning to study in the UK are expressing concerns about starting their academic journey due to recent violent disturbances in several towns and cities. Across various parts of England, shops and businesses have been closing early, with storefronts boarded up and premises vacated. Police are intensively patrolling high streets and residential areas, as local residents prepare for potential violence. This unsettling scenario has caused uncertainty among many students, who are nevertheless committed to their plans having already paid significant enrollment and accommodation fees for the upcoming Fall semester.
An Indonesian expat in the UAE, set to travel to England in September, shared how an incident involving her brother has heightened her family's concerns. Aoudrea Nasution recounted, “My brother studies in the UK and recently came home. He had an alarming experience at a restaurant where he was the only person of color. A stranger banged on the window and pointed at him, which was quite distressing.” Nasution, who is considering studying Mechanical Engineering at either Imperial College London or the University of Bath, noted the substantial costs involved, ranging from Dh187,000 to Dh131,000 per year, depending on the institution.
She also detailed the varying costs of student accommodation, which are higher in London, ranging from £190 to £260 per week, compared to the mid-£100s in Bath. Despite the current tensions, Nasution remains cautiously optimistic, “I have options in London and Bath. While I'm not overly worried, there's a bit of paranoia because safety is always a concern.”
Akhilesh Bisht, an Indian expat in the UAE, who is set to begin a Master’s in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Manchester, mentioned his parents' heightened anxiety due to the ongoing violence. “My parents are very worried. They believe students should prioritize safety and follow the rules.” Bisht, who reached out to friends in the UK for reassurance, feels the situation is more serious than previous instances.
Education counselors in the UAE acknowledge the mix of hope and anxiety among students starting their higher education. Rema Menon Vellat, Director of Counselling Point Training and Development, noted, “The current situation does foster alarm and fear.” Several countries, including Nigeria, Malaysia, Australia, Indonesia, the UAE, and India, have issued safety warnings to their citizens in the UK.
Academic advisors emphasize that UK universities remain progressive and diverse, with strong international communities. Chafic Mekkaoui, an Education Consultant at Hale Education, advises Muslim students to connect with Islamic societies and stay updated with university communications. He also recommends using safety apps like Citizens Advice or the Metropolitan Police App for real-time alerts.
