5 Ways To Save Money When You’re Studying In Dubai
Although the tower blocks and sandy beaches of Dubai scream of a life of wealth and luxury, for students in the city it can be a different story. The United Arab Emirates, as a world leader in English language schooling, has its fair share of students, and all of those living on tight student budgets. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to save while you’re studying in Dubai. From sneaky student discounts to avoiding banking fees, we’ve got you covered. If you’re a student struggling to save money, we’ve got some top tips for you.
Here’s how to save money while studying in Dubai.
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1. Open Your Own Local Bank Account
Wherever you come from, drawing funds from a bank account located in your home country can be an expensive task. There’s often a surcharge on card charges and you could take a hit of a few dollars every time you draw cash out from an ATM.
Opening an account with a local bank allows you to circumvent those charges and tighten your belt when you need to. To open an account in the UAE you likely won’t need more than ID and a proof of address, and fortunately, as a student, you should have both. Open a local account and save money even when you spend money!
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2. Cook At Home
Eating out is one of the number one expenses for students exploring new cities. Whilst it’s totally fair to expect to have some fun if you’re eating out every night, it might be time to invest in a cookbook. Your student years are an excellent opportunity to learn some life skills, and the ability to whip up a tasty home-cooked meal is one of them.
To find the biggest bargains, hit the local markets for fruit and veg. Bulk buying pasta and grains is another way to save on your shop. You’ll have all the ingredients at home for a delicious dinner.
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3. Take Advantage Of Your Student Status
As a student, you will be eligible for a number of discounts but if you don’t ask, you won’t get. Before making any purchase you should enquire if there’s a student discount on offer – often this will be as much as 20% in high street stores.
In Dubai students get a discount on public transport too, so be sure to flash your student ID whenever you’re travelling. These little discounts add up if you’re out and about.
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4. Space Out Your Social Life
Collegiate life is often packed with a busy schedule of social gatherings, both formal and informal. Whilst your university might be holding events such as dinners and balls on a weekly basis, your bank account might not be so happy with your attendance.
Look ahead in the calendar and select the handful of events that stand out for you. Don’t feel like you need to attend every event that your college holds to get the most out of the experience. By spacing out your social life you’ll save money and be able to enjoy the events that you do attend more thoroughly, without the economic hangover the next day.
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5. Rent-A-Car
If the reliability of public transport is making you late for your classes, you might consider buying a car. For a student, buying a car is a huge expense and skimping on an old banger might even cost you more in the long run.
Dubai is a city of expats who are in a similar position so there are some great services for those wanting a car in the short term. Carasti and other companies offer cars on a rental basis by the month, offering a perfect balance of cost and reliability.
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6. High Life
As a student it’s important that you invest in the lifestyle – after all, your college days are about more than just studying. You want to learn new skills and get involved in the college social life as much as you can.
Fortunately by learning to cook at home and taking advantage of student discounts you have a quintessential student experience without breaking the bank. Enjoy the high life and your Dubai life.
Also Checkout:
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- Top 6 Low Cost Universities in Dubai
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AUTHOR BIO
Ashley Halsey is a writer at Buy Assignment Online and an educator. As a teacher at schools, Ashley has been based all over the Middle East. Most recently she has worked in Doha in the role of headteacher at an English language school.