LIVING IN AL AIN
2012
This handbook is by no means a comprehensive introduction to the city of Al Ain. However,
it is our hope that it will help you get on your feet and settled into the Al Ain community.
AL AIN
Al Ain, which means ‘the spring’, is situated in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi on the border with
Oman. It is the site of many underground springs that make the city so lush and green. Al
Ain is considered one of the most important historical cities in the UAE as there have been
significant archeological discoveries around Jebel Hafeet and Bina Bint Saud as well as the
Hili Oasis. It is a significant agricultural area growing a wide variety of produce. This city
has developed greatly in the last 20 years. In the early 1960s there was little here but it has
grown and developed and is still growing and developing. Al Ain is a conservative city still
keeping to many of the old traditions, and this should be borne in mind at all times. There are
one or two books which chart the progress of Al Ain from Bedouin oasis to thriving city; one
of the most interesting being Canadian nurse Gertrude Dyck’s book “The Oasis Al Ain
Memoirs of Doctor Latifa” which you will be able to acquire or borrow in Al Ain.
GEOGRAPHY
Al Ain is about 160 kilometers east of the capital city
Abu Dhabi, and 135 kilometres from Dubai City. Al Ain
is proudly known as the Garden City of the Gulf. It
shares a border with Buraimi which is an Omani town.
If you wish to travel into Buraimi you must remember
your passport. If you wish to travel further into Oman by
car you will need to ensure that you have adequate
insurance cover (this can be bought at the border checkpoint). The scenery is very dramatic on the way through
the mountains and if you have a four wheel drive or SUV (which many people purchase in Al
Ain for this reason) you can follow the beds of dried up rivers known as wadis. On smaller
side roads throughout the region you must beware of camels and herds of goats which could
wander onto the road. Other possibilities for exploration include the mountains at Hatta and
the emirates of Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. It is a 2 ½ to 3 hour drive through varied
scenery, red sand dune desert and rugged mountains to Fujairah on the Arabian Sea. There
you can snorkel and dive.
CLIMATE
The Emirates may well have the hottest weather you will ever experience, approximately
35ºC in mid-May to 45ºC+ in July/August/September, but unlike Abu Dhabi and Dubai on
the coast, Al Ain being inland does not suffer from such high humidity, which makes it more
bearable. However everywhere is air conditioned. The winters are cooler and a sweater or
jacket is often necessary. But you can look forward to ideal walking and exploring weather
from October to April.
Living in Al Ain
Updated July 2012 GJ
Page 1 of 13
HIGHER COLLEGES OF TECHNOLOGY
The Higher Colleges of Technology http://www.hct.ac.ae/ for UAE nationals
began operations in 1988. The system was initiated by His Excellency Sheikh
Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific
Research, and who serves as Chancellor of the UAE University and Higher
Colleges of Technology. Initially, the Higher Colleges were modeled on the
community college system of the Canadian province of Ontario, but has now advanced. The
system enjoys a very cosmopolitan mix of administrative and teaching personnel.
OPENING TIMES
The weekend for HCT is on Friday and Saturday. The week begins on Sunday. Some
businesses still maintain the ‘old’ weekend of Thursday and Friday (especially in Buraimi,
Oman). Banks are open from Saturday to Thursday. Some shops remain open from 8am to
1pm and reopen from 4 pm to 10 pm. Most supermarkets are open from 8am to 10 pm. A
couple of supermarkets remain open 24 hours. All shops close for Friday noon prayer by
around 11 am and reopen in the evening. During Ramadan many shops stay open much later.
DRESS
As you know the United Arab Emirates is a Muslim country and you will be
expected to dress modestly in public. For men and women, this means refraining
from wearing shorts and sleeveless shirts; no skin at the shoulder or above the
knee should be exposed. At work, men are expected to wear a business shirt
with long or short sleeves, slacks (not jeans), and tie; women are expected to
wear dresses or skirts which fall below the knee (preferably mid-calf). Smart
trousers are also acceptable. Women should take care that their clothing is
modestly cut i.e. no plunging necklines, slit skirts, or filmy materials. Please refer
to our Dress Code Policy to ensure you bring the right attire for work.
In your own home and around swimming pools, you may dress appropriately. On desert trips
or by the seaside you can wear modest shorts and in the shopping malls in Dubai the dress
code is more relaxed. In general, don't bring too many clothes. All major stores (see under
shops/souks) can be found here and there are wonderful sales in summer and winter.
Sunscreen, a hat and good sunglasses are necessary and can be purchased in Al Ain, but bring
them with you if possible so that you will have them from the first day.
EMPLOYMENT FOR SPOUSES
Some employment exists locally for qualified teachers and nurses. Tawam Hospital is a
major employer and also the UAE University, and schools. If interested in pursuing this
avenue, spouses should come equipped with original documents. They should also consider
having a copy of their major educational certificate notarized as this is often a requirement. It
is a good idea to bring lots of passport size photos which must accompany most applications
of any sort.
Living in Al Ain
Updated July 2012 GJ
Page 2 of 13
BOOKS
The Book Corner (in Al Jimi Mall, above Carrefour) offers a
selection of English language titles with a small range of nonfiction, as well as magazines. The Bookstore next to the Four
Seasons Hotel, between the Diwan and the Jebal round-a-bouts,
offer a very small selection of English language titles. This shop
specializes in stationery and computer accessories.
There three main bookshop chains in the UAE: Borders in the Mall
of the Emirates, Kinokuniya in the Dubai Mall and Magrudy’s in
Al Ain at the Bawadi Mall, which also has branches in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
(http://magrudy.com/)
The HCT Libraries collection can be viewed at http://library.hct.ac.ae/search and includes
recreational magazines and fiction for both adults and children. Staff are able to order items
from any of the HCT libraries and are also able to access through LIWA, a consortium
catalogue, the holdings of both Zayed University and UAEU. Our library staff can assist you
with any queries.
A word of caution: do not bring books, magazines, or videotapes of a controversial nature
into the UAE. By controversial, we mean any subject that would be degrading to the UAE,
Arabs, or Muslim countries or individuals, as well as any material of a sexual nature. If you
do decide to bring this type of material with you, be prepared for the possibility that you will
be asked to either return it to your country at your cost, or have it destroyed.
Certain books, magazines and video tapes may be confiscated for review by the Ministry of
Information and Culture. If this happens, don't worry about it. You will be given a receipt
for the articles, which you can pick up in a week or two, depending on how busy the Ministry
is at the time.
The Oasis Living Magazine http://myoasisliving.com/ keeps you up-to-date with “What’s
On” in and around Al Ain. The Source magazine http://www.thesourceuae.com/en/ is also
another free magazine which is distributed to the colleges.
SCHOOLS
There are many schools within Al Ain, catering for most needs. Ex-pat employees do not
have access to government schools and therefore all ex-pat children go to one of the many
private schools in and around Al Ain. These schools generally operate on country lines i.e.
Indian Schools, American Schools, and British Schools, etc. As most of our employees are
native English-speakers, they opt for one of the following; The Al Ain English Speaking
School (www.aaess.com email school@aaess.sch.ae) is a privately owned school which was
founded in 1978. The AAESS follows the British Curriculum and takes children from 5 to 18
years. The International School of Choueifat (www.iscalain-sabis.net email
iscalain@sabis.net) follows both the British and IB Curriculum. Al Ain International school
opened its doors in September 2011 and has been getting very good reviews by our staff. The
school website is: http://www.aldaracademies.com/alain.php. The English Speaking School
and Choueifat educate children up to year 12 level (A and AS level) with emphasis on the
Sciences. Minimal arts courses are offered.
Living in Al Ain
Updated July 2012 GJ
Page 3 of 13
If you would like to discuss schooling options, please let us know what type of school you are
looking for and we will introduce you to one of our staff who will be happy to talk with you
about their experiences. As soon as you accept the offer with HCT you need to contact a
school regarding enrolment. School uniforms are mandatory at most schools.
If you have a child with special educational needs, please identify that need for us before
coming to the UAE. You need to be aware that although many schools do provide some
degree of special learning needs, it may not be at the same level as that provided in your
home country
Organized recreation for children outside of school hours consists of hotel clubs which
provide amongst other things swimming and tennis. There are some activities (clubs) offered
at the schools.
The House of Arts http://www.house-of-arts.net/ provides music lessons for children and
adults, so bring your musical instrument and music.
There are also dancing lessons
available.
DOMESTIC HELP
Many families employ a maid. Most maids come from the Philippines, Bangladesh or Sri
Lanka. Skills vary with the individual, but with selectivity you will be able to find someone
reliable to cook, clean and mind children for about Dhs. 1000 per month. If you decide to
sponsor a maid, you are responsible for paying for her visa, health card and repatriation ticket
every two years, and most of her incidental expenses, including food. The Visa and Housing
Officer will help you with the formalities.
HOUSING
The HCT provides accommodation of a good standard. Depending on your family size and
salary grade you will be allocated an apartment/house. We cannot accept requests for
accommodation as we have to work with what is available at the time. However, we do try
our best to match families to accommodation. Most accommodation comes without
appliances such as a fridge, cooker and washing machine. Just about all are not carpeted and
don’t come with curtains.
All of the rental units have air conditioning. None of the rental units have heating.
FURNITURE
Al Ain and neighboring Buraimi have a large variety of furniture
shops and also carpenters who can make fairly basic wardrobes,
beds and cabinets. The popular shops are: The Home Centre, Homes
R us and Pan Emirates Furniture. Dubai and Abu Dhabi have an
IKEA store (http://www.ikea.com/ae/en/store/dubai/)
with reasonably priced furniture. Traditional Indian style furniture is
available at Pinky’s, Lucky’s and Khan’s in Sharjah.
There are carpet shops and curtain shops too which will supply and fit out your whole house
should you wish to do so.
Living in Al Ain
Updated July 2012 GJ
Page 4 of 13
You will be taken around the shops of Al Ain to start you off and we recommend you stick to
basics until you have settled in and have time to see exactly what you want and how much
you are prepared to spend. Secondhand furniture is available from families who are leaving
and is posted on the HCT electronic newsgroups.
ISLAM
You will quickly be conscious of the many mosques existing in the country
and will become used to the call to prayer, five times a day. There are two
major festivals in the Muslim calendar; the Eid Al Fitr which follows the
fasting month of Ramadan and about two months later, the Eid Al Adha.
Ramadan is a special time in the Middle East when all Muslims in good
health are required to perform special duties. As part of their observances
during this month, Muslims do not eat, drink, or smoke between sunrise and
sunset. Non-Muslims are not required to fast, but are requested not to eat,
drink, or smoke in public out of respect for their host. At the colleges, no
food or drink is displayed or eaten in public. The doors to the staff kitchen and dining areas
are closed. You may bring and consume your own food in the staff lounge if Ramadan falls
during the school term.
Please do not eat, drink, or smoke in public, even in your car, during Ramadan. It is a
punishable offence. If you have a small child, it is acceptable for the child to eat or drink in a
car, but it is far better to wait until you are somewhere where the child can be fed in private.
The exact start of the Holy Month of Ramadan and Eid is determined by the phases of the
moon, but there will be notices on television and in the newspapers. About two months after
Ramadan there is another Eid called Eid al Adha. It marks the end of the pilgrimage to
Makkah, one of the five pillars of Islam.
There are other holidays throughout the year determined by the phases of the moon. College
holidays are subject to confirmation from the Ministry of Education and the College will
notify you if and when it is to be closed.
LICENSES
If you have a UK, USA, Canadian, Australian or New Zealand license there is
no problem in converting it to a UAE license. The same applies to your
spouse
Canadians will require a letter from their Consulate in Dubai verifying the authenticity of
their license before they can apply for one. Everyone from a non-Arab country except Britain
is required to have their driving license translated into Arabic (costs approximately 80 AED).
This can be done after arrival. Check out the Abu Dhabi Police website for more information
http://www.adpolice.gov.ae/en/default.aspx
A license to purchase beer, wine and spirits is required for non-Muslims, after they have
obtained their residence permit. Those employees who wish to consume alcohol are
Living in Al Ain
Updated July 2012 GJ
Page 5 of 13
responsible to keep their license valid and available at all times. Please contact your HRO for
details on how to obtain a license.
Please noted that you cannot “drink and drive”. It is 0% tolerance for alcohol consumption
in the UAE.
MEDICAL FACILITIES
Al Ain is well provided with medical facilities. Dubai and Abu Dhabi
provide excellent medical care.
Although Tawam Hospital
(http://www.tawamhospital.ae/english/index.aspx) is for locals only, nonUAE citizens may be treated there by referral or in an emergency. The Al
Ain (Al Jimi) Hospital is the government hospital open to everyone and the Oasis Hospital
http://www.oasishospital.org/ is an American Mission Hospital. It is covered under the HCT
insurance plan. There are an increasing number of other private hospitals i.e. Al Noor, with
specialized clinics http://www.alnoorhospital.com/ListDepartmentAlAin.aspx.
HCT provides health insurance cover with the Daman Health insurance company. You will
receive the membership cards and member booklet when you arrive.
If you take specific medication regularly arrange to bring a generous supply with you until
you have time to obtain your medical card and locate a physician. Make sure that you carry
the medicine in its original container and consider having your doctor write a note attesting to
the medical reason and necessity for the prescription. Some drugs that are only available by
prescription in North America and the U.K. can be purchased without a prescription in the
UAE; narcotic drugs are a notable exception and in a recent amendment to the Health Bill,
hormones, steroids and some antibiotics can now only be obtained on prescription. The local
pharmacists are very helpful and will be able to tell you what you can and cannot get without
prescription. Some over the counter drugs available in your country may not be available
here although something similar will be.
TRAVEL
The UAE is bordered by the Sultanate of Oman, the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia and the Emirate of Qatar. Visas for travel to these countries can be
obtained though occasionally with difficulty. Travel to other countries in
the region is also a popular activity, with regular air travel available to
Egypt, Jordan, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Kenya and the Maldives,
Seychelles and Mauritius islands of the Indian Ocean. Slightly further afield, but within easy
reach during the college’s December and April breaks, are Southeast Asia and southern
Mediterranean locations. Most flights depart from Dubai or Abu Dhabi with a few from
Al Ain.
An e-gate pass for quick access through immigration, can be obtained at all three airports,
after you have received your Emirates I.D. Card and is valid as long as your Emirates I.D. is
valid.
Living in Al Ain
Updated July 2012 GJ
Page 6 of 13
OMAN
Al Ain shares a border with the Sultanate of Oman, at Buraimi. You can enter only through
the Hili border post and can freely travel around Check points are about 30 kms down the
road from Buraimi. To travel past them it is necessary to get a visa. Visas may be obtained
at the border for a nominal fee. Buraimi itself has an interesting souk with all kinds of goods,
especially cars which are in some cases cheaper than in Al Ain.
PETS
There are several vets in the area to choose from. Al Rawda Clinic in Al Ain
can be contacted at 03 755 1222. There are many vets in Abu Dhabi and Dubai
and all offer excellent care for your animals and their numbers and locations
can be obtained from other pet owners or by looking on the internet. In
addition, there are excellent boarding facilities available as well. There is also
the option to leave your pets at home when you travel and have a professional come by
daily. If you prefer this option, contact your HRO for updated information.
POSTAL SERVICE
A regular postal service is provided in the UAE. It is possible to get your own personal mail
box at the Post Office, but this may take time and it is just as easy to get your mail delivered
to the College P.O. box. There is a delivery and collection from the Post Office each working
day. Any personal outgoing mail should be stamped by you and should have your return
address clearly indicated on the outside. Employees must purchase their own stamps. On the
whole the service is fairly reliable although incoming mail takes longer than outgoing. If you
want something speedily dispatched to your own country you can use College couriers,
Aramex or TNT Express Worldwide. The postal service also provides express and registered
mail service.
Water and Electricity bills can be paid at the Post Office. You can also recharge your ‘Wasel’
mobile telephone card and purchase pre-paid calling cards.
RESTAURANTS
There are several good restaurants in Al Ain. The best and most expensive are at the big
hotels i.e. Al Ain Hilton, Rotana, Mercure, The Palm Resort, Ayla and Danat. Except at the
Ayla, alcohol is served in restaurants. Other good and cheaper places to eat are the Chinese
Dragon, Dubai Mughal and Abu Halab (Syrian/Arabic), the Golden Sheep
(Lebanese/Arabic), the Golden Gate (Chinese/Filipino) the Super (Indian) and the fast food
restaurants like Kentucky Fried Chicken, Chilis, Hardees, McDonalds, Burger King and
Pizza Hut. There are a variety of restaurants in all the Malls. Almost all restaurants offer a
home delivery service.
The bakeries, especially the Al Noor serve freshly baked breads, cakes, Arabic sweets and
savories e.g. cheese manakish, etc.
Living in Al Ain
Updated July 2012 GJ
Page 7 of 13
SHOPS/SOUKS
Al Ain has several small souk areas and three malls though none as large as Dubai’s at the
moment, but they are growing fast. You will soon get to know your way around and find out
which shops are best. There are various branches of Choitrams, a UAE wide chain of
supermarkets, which often stock items you can’t find elsewhere and a lot of expats like to
shop in Carrefour (Jimi Mall and Bawadi Mall) or in one of the 3 Lulu Hypermarkets. When
you find something you have been searching for, buy several as it may disappear and not
reappear again for several months. Remember to always check the expiry date first. Pork
products are only available at Choithrams in Al Ain city center and Abela by Tawam.
Cooking ranges or stoves (called "cookers" here) are available in both gas and electric styles
and can be purchased with two, four, or six burners. A refundable deposit is required for the
gas tank (blue bottle). Tanks (bottles) can be changed when empty at any petrol station.
Sanaiya, a large industrial area on the outskirts of Al Ain, is a haven for buying specialty
tools of all kinds if you are a DIY person. They are generally very inexpensive and in good
supply. You can also purchase common-use tools, like hammers and screwdrivers from
vendors in downtown Al Ain or ACE hardware in the Bawadi Mall. It is easy to borrow a
few tools from one of your colleagues to get you started.
British Home Stores and Marks and Spencer, stock reasonable quality clothing, linen and
some china. Home Center is another good alternative.
Al Ain has many stores, including Carrefour, selling well-known electrical
appliances. In terms of small electronics, you can buy just about anything
here: blow dryers, juicers, food processors, electric knives, alarm clocks, etc.
We suggest that you purchase all electrical appliances with motors here, since
the voltage is 220 - 240 volts, 50 cycles, unless you are coming from the UK
as anything you bring from there will be compatible. Power outlets are
generally three square-pin, 13 amp, and generally bayonet light fittings are used. Heavier
loads such as air conditioners and washing machines often run off 15 amp round pin plugs.
This means North American bought electrical appliances will not work in the UAE without a
converter. Although you can purchase adapters, they are not recommended for use with any
appliance with moving parts as the power surges may cause problems.
Computer enthusiasts will find a good selection of hardware in Al Ain and a larger selection
of both hardware and software in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Prices are competitive. If you do
bring your computer from home, we strongly recommend that you buy a heavy-duty,
QUALITY surge protector/power strip/voltage regulator.
Al Jimi Mall ( http://www.aljimimall.com/en/sitemap.php) is a large mall with a food court
(where you can get your favorites like McDonald's, Subway or Kentucky Fried Chicken),
clothing shops, a pharmacy, etc. Most importantly, it has Carrefour that contains everything
you need from household appliances to groceries. For children there is also a play area and
arcade downstairs.
A word of warning: It can be quite crowded on the weekends, so if you prefer calmer
shopping experiences, go on a Friday morning. There’s a Home Center and Lifestyle store
where you can buy furniture and decorations for your apartment.
Living in Al Ain
Updated July 2012 GJ
Page 8 of 13
Al Ain Mall (http://www.alainmall.net/beta/index.html) is another large mall with a variety
of shops. The mall also houses an Ice Skating Rink, a Bowling Alley, a movie theater (movie
prices about 30 AED), bumper cars, and a "kid's zone". Also in this mall is Mega Mart,
another large grocery store which is open on Friday mornings and Sharaf DG the largest
electronics shop in Al Ain. Currently undergoing an expansion Al Ain mall is constantly
opening new shops and has 3 levels of underground parking.
Al Bawadi Mall (http://www.bawadimall.com/Location/) is the newest and largest mall
with lots of restaurants, coffee shops and a big cinema. It has a big Carrefour, Magrudy's
Bookstore, Toys- R-Us, Ace Hardware and other "big name" stores. It also has furniture
stores, most notably Homes-r-Us. The amusement area houses the only indoor rollercoaster in
Al Ain as well as a bowling alley and the usual supervised kids play areas and arcade games.
There is a “ski slope” upstairs from the food court with downhill tube slides as well as a roller
skating rink and other attractions.
SOCIAL LIFE AND SPORTS
Al Ain has facilities for almost every recreational activity except those
that need the sea like yachting and scuba diving although you can go
wild water rafting, kayaking and surfing at Wadi Adventures
(http://www.wadiadventure.ae/ ). There are a few sporting goods stores
that sell name-brand products. Most popular recreational activities in the
UAE include tennis, golf, racquetball, ice-hockey, squash, scuba diving,
swimming, water-skiing, boating, golf, horseback riding, rugby, football and soccer. Most
sports like swimming, tennis, squash etc., are offered by the clubs at the Hilton, Danat Hotel,
Al Ain Rotana and the Palm Sports Resort.
The Palm Sports Resort (www.palmsportsresort.com.) has the equestrian, shooting, rugby
and golf clubs. If you are a golf enthusiast, remember to bring your clubs as equipment can
be quite expensive. The Golf Club has a first class restaurant which is very popular.
http://www.alainexpat.com/hotelskomma-wine-en-dine/al-ain-golf-club.html
Al Ain Rugby Club http://www.alainenthusiast.com/weekend-fun/palm-resort-rugby-club-alain/ offers coaching sessions for both adults and children and arranges games throughout the
region. There is a fully equipped club house with a swimming pool and gym. The also serve
meals and refreshments.
Runners can join the Al Ain Hash House Harriers (www.alainexpat.com.) who run in a desert
spot, sometimes sand, sometimes gravel, followed by certain revelry and often a barbecue.
This is a family group and children are welcome, along with the not so fit who would rather
walk. There is also another running club called A2R2 Al Ain Road Runners, and they meet
outside the Danat Hotel. The times vary, depending on the weather, and they have social
functions as well as handicap races on occasion.
There’s also a small cycling group that rides every Friday morning (A2C2) from the
Spinneys/Souk Extra mall in Markania. Women may want to take special caution and ride
with a group. A good bicycle will cost about Dhs. 5,000 or more and most dealers will make
it a better deal by giving you a bicycle pump, since the air pumps at the gas station don't fit
the inner tubes.
If you like to do handicrafts, it is best to bring your own materials with you although an
overwhelming selection of supplies can be found in the haberdashery shops in town.
Living in Al Ain
Updated July 2012 GJ
Page 9 of 13
The Emirates Natural History Group (www.enhg.org.) meets every2nd and 4th Tuesday of the
month and have many activities during the weekends, particularly in the cooler months. Most
people find that there are more than enough activities to satisfy all the family. Being a
member of the ENHG is one of the best ways to see places in the UAE.
There are ice skating rinks at Al Ain Mall in downtown Al Ain and Hili Fun City on the
outskirts of town, if this is your sport. Used equipment is limited so remember to bring your
own. There are organized ice hockey teams for children of all ages and a men’s team. Al Ain
Mall has a small ice rink and Hili Fun City has an Olympic size ice rink and is the home of
the Al Ain Vipers (http://www.alainvipers.com/VIPERShome1.html) ice hockey team, offers
organized ice hockey teams for children ages 5 - 18 but is also open to the public. The Vipers
play competitively with Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Qatar, and Kuwait.
TELEVISION
There are minimal television stations available if you do not have a satellite
dish or subscribe to cable TV. However, depending on where you live,
some villas provide basic cable which allows you to access Englishspeaking channels. There are satellite connections through Orbit or E-Vision which you need
to subscribe to monthly. However there are about six English channels you could access
through purchasing a dish and digital box for approximately 450 AED. You should check
whether your landlord permits the erection of satellite dishes before taking this option.
TRANSPORTATION AND VEHICLES
Taxis and regular town bus service are available. Privately-owned Al Ain taxis
(gold and white) are cheap and metered. A new silver and metered taxi service
has been introduced to phase out the old gold and white taxis and all the drivers
speak English. The silver taxis have a call center that coordinates bookings 600-535353.
They may cost a bit more than the gold and white ones. The orange and white taxis are from
Oman and are not metered. You can find maps to the public transport system in Al Ain
including timetables, costs and maps at this link (http://www.ojra.ae/en_bus.htm ).
Al Ghazal is a taxi service run by a private company. Their services are a bit more
expensive. All of their employees speak English. Al Ghazal Taxi telephone number is 7516565.
Women are advised to always sit in the back seat, make sure the meter is switched on and not
make unnecessary conversation with the driver. Also be aware that many of the gold and
white taxis do not have (working) rear seat belts and so you can't secure yourself or children
in the vehicle. The following words may be helpful.
Yessar
=
Left
Yamin
=
Right
Seedha
=
straight
Irjah
=
U Turn
Wakaf
=
stop
D’war hadika al haywanot = zoo roundabout (the roundabout near both Colleges)
Living in Al Ain
Updated July 2012 GJ
Page 10 of 13
There is a good bus service to Abu Dhabi and Dubai that leaves from the bus station behind
the Al Ain Co-op downtown. The buses are air conditioned and women sit at the front.
There is mini bus service to Dubai but lifts can sometimes be obtained from your colleagues.
You can also use the Al Ghazal taxi service (bit more expensive) or hire a taxi at the taxi
stand, near to the bus station.
Car prices are reasonable and you may find them a bit cheaper in
Buraimi, but you will need to ensure your car insurance covers you
for Oman. Four wheel drive vehicles are popular as they extend the
ability to visit off-road beaches, mountains and deserts. Prices for 4WD vehicles are
approximately 50% higher than saloon cars. You may be able to apply for a car loan after
you get your residence visa.
You can also rent cars by the month; a small family car will cost about Dhs. 2000, inclusive
of insurance. You may wish to take advantage of this option during your first month or so
while you explore the new and used car market. If you or your spouse wants to drive a rental
car, it is advisable to bring an international driver’s license with you until you have a UAE
driver’s license. Insurance is mandatory for both rental and privately-owned vehicles.
Do not even consider shipping your car if it is not specially equipped for tropical climates.
The sun, wind and variable humidity can cause considerable permanent damage in cars not
suitably equipped.
Second hand vehicles are available and are advertised on our HCT newsgroup by other HCT
faculty. Quite a few faculty use this option.
UTILITIES
Utilities such as water and electricity charges are paid by the occupant. In some
villas/apartments there is a standard water charge (50AED per month), but most
units charge by consumption. A villa’s summer electricity bill can be as high as
1600AED per month for a family of four or as low as Dhs. 300 a month for a
single person depending on the size of the apartment, how many occupants and how many
rooms you need to keep cool. If you water a small garden, water costs can be over 200AED
per month. By contrast, water and electricity charges for a small two-bedroom apartment
typically total less than 300AED per month. You should always ensure that you pay the bill
before it reaches 1000AED as after that you are cut off.
Electricity is 220-240 volts at 50 cycles per second.
Telephone bills are sent to you monthly and must be paid in full within two weeks or your
service will be disconnected. If this happens, you will have to repay the initial deposit, plus
the amount owed on your bill, before service will be reconnected.
WHAT THE LOCALS THINK ABOUT YOU
In general, the local people are friendly and tolerant. They are proud of Al Ain, a city of
flowers and trees and welcome your contribution to the growth of their country.
If you make an effort to learn some Arabic, even your most elementary efforts will be
appreciated. There are independent Arabic teachers who offer their services on a per-hour
Living in Al Ain
Updated July 2012 GJ
Page 11 of 13
basis. For a very reasonable fee, the United Arab Emirates University also offers evening
classes that are open to the community.
YOUR TIME IN AL AIN
We hope you do enjoy your time in Al Ain. All staff at the colleges are very friendly and
helpful. Here are some of the staff you will meet on arrival…
First Faces
Probably the first HCT Al Ain College’s face you will see as you walk
through the arrivals door at either Abu Dhabi or Dubai Airport will be
Gopalapilla Vijayakrishnan, or Vijay as he is known to everyone. This
picture does little justice to Vijay who always has a big smile on his face!
Vijay’s job title is Administrative Assistant, however his real role is the ‘Can
do Man’.
As a new arrival you will probably see Vijay more than anyone else during your first week.
Apart from airport greetings, and transportation to hotels, Vijay will more than likely be the
person who will take you to the various appointments at hospitals, banks, etc.
Contact: mobile: 050 6180751
Alternatively you may have been met by:
Saber Al Okla, Al Ain Men’s College Housing and Visa Officer.
Contact: 050 6239195
Walid Ezzeddine, Al Ain Women’s College Housing
and visa Officer.
Contact: 050 6234172
Saber and Walid liaise with the relevant Government Departments to get work and residency
visas for our new arrivals. They also ensure that established staff maintain current visas.
Saber and Walid will arrange your housing for you. Your housing allocation is dependent
upon your grade and your circumstances (whether you are single, married, with children or
other dependants). Saber and Walid are the men who will ensure that you have a comfortable
home to return to after a busy day at college!
Human Resources
We may have communicated by email, phone and fax for a number of weeks prior to your
arrival.
Hamsa Saleh
Living in Al Ain
Updated July 2012 GJ
Lamis Abdo
Page 12 of 13
Allison Hamilton nee
Hope
Emiratization Manager
Contact: habdullah@hct.ac.ae
Mobile: 050 6630133
Work: 03 7095 ext. 329
Senior Human Resources
Officer -Al Ain Men’s
Contact: lamis.abdo@hct.ac.ae
Mobile: 050 4468455
Work: 03 7095 ext. 510
Hello and welcome!
Living in Al Ain
Updated July 2012 GJ
Page 13 of 13
Human Resources Officer
Al Ain Women’s
Contact: Allison.hamilton@hct.ac.ae
Mobile: 050 6425220
Work: 03 7095 ext. 288