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Bc. Terezia Hornikova, UCT Prague,
ročník 1About the country
Location of the place
I have been working at the University of Sharjah for Research institute of medical sciences called RIMHS. University was 10 minutes by bus or taxi from apartments were I lived with other female interns. Sharjah is half an hour from Dubai Emirate. The campus of the University is very large and spread. For transportation around the campus you can use shuttle buses. It is not really possible to move around by walking because of the distance and weather.
City
The University is located 20 min by taxi from city centre. There is a nice water front, sour (market), historical centre and lots of restaurants mostly Indian food. Sharjah is the strictest Emirate of the UAE, so no alcohol, no loud music, no dancing or bars. Lots of things are not allowed there, but during weekends, we have been traveling to Dubai were it is less strict.
Surroundings (possible trips, ...)
There are many possibilities for having a good time. You can go for dessert safari or barbecue. You can use buses to go to other Emirates where you can find rocky mountains or beautiful beaches. For traditional shopping you can go to souq (market) where you can find oriental spices, dates or you can go there just to hang out, absorb the atmosphere and drink traditional hot drink Karaq.
Dubai is just 30 minutes by taxi from the University/Apartments where you can do and see lots of things.
Dubai is just 30 minutes by taxi from the University/Apartments where you can do and see lots of things.
Employer
Employer
I worked at the Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences called RIMHS at the University of Sharjah. I was assigned to a small research group Nutrition and Food. I worked directly with my postdoc on a research project.
Work description
The experiment I was working on dealt with food preservation using HPP. HPP is a non-thermal food preservation technique that kills microorganisms that can cause disease or spoil food. My responsibilities in laboratory were preparing food samples (mixing, weighting, baking), preparing medias for experiment, pouring of the medias, dilution of the samples, pipetting the samples on media and spreading, incubation of petri dishes with samples, counting colonies, evaluation of results and adjusting the method according to the results, training of new interns. In addition, I participated in writing an article about the research.
Salary (sufficient for local conditions?)
3200 AED. It was sufficient for local conditions but it did not cover all expenses like flight tickets, Visa and health insurance.
Language requirements
Everyone at the University spoke good English. Also it was no problem to communicate in English in shops and other establishments or in a taxis. Everyone knew at least the basics.
Accommodation (price, who provided it)
Accommodation price – monthly: 30AED/day – approx. 900AED/month
The accommodation provided Iaeste office (right after I was accepted for internship I knew where I will stay at.) We lived in beautiful and clean apartments near university, 10 minutes by taxi or bus. It was equipped with everything we needed including wifi and TV.
The accommodation provided Iaeste office (right after I was accepted for internship I knew where I will stay at.) We lived in beautiful and clean apartments near university, 10 minutes by taxi or bus. It was equipped with everything we needed including wifi and TV.
Social life
Meeting IAESTE members (pick-up at the airport, organized events...)
Unfortunately, there wasn't any pick up at the airport and very little organised events. Iaeste organised one cruise in Dubai and Iaeste day were we presented our work at the University.
Meeting other foreign students
I think there was around 40 interns so the social life have been amazing. People came from all over the world, so it was truly an international environment. We did many trips together to Sharjah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi or we just hangout at the apartments for movie nights, brunches.
Sport and culture
In the campus, there is a sport complex for free, including a gym and a swimming pool.
Food, local specialties
There are many local specialties, mostly Arabic, Indian or Pakistani food. We used to go for a watermelon, mango fresh juices or a tea called karak with other interns.
There was a canteen in a hospital at the campus open every day for having lunch for a reasonable price of 14 AED.
There was a canteen in a hospital at the campus open every day for having lunch for a reasonable price of 14 AED.
Other information
Possibilites to communicate with the Czech Republic
Messenger and Whatsapp calls have been blocked unless you used VPN. It is possible to use Skype, MS Teams or Google Meet for calling home.
Also it is important to get an Emirati SIM card, preferably right after landing on the airport. Prices for data and some calling are similiar to those in Czechia.
Also it is important to get an Emirati SIM card, preferably right after landing on the airport. Prices for data and some calling are similiar to those in Czechia.
Recommendations for students who will go to the same place
Definitely do not hesitate and go. I had Wonderfull time being there. It is completely different culture, but people are really nice here. It is safe country. There are no violations, thefts or pickpockets.
Weather is really hot there but coming in the winter time (october-december) is the best time of the year. Many events are organized in the winter months. Dubai as well as people are starting to live and meet more in this time of the year.
Weather is really hot there but coming in the winter time (october-december) is the best time of the year. Many events are organized in the winter months. Dubai as well as people are starting to live and meet more in this time of the year.
What not to forget with you
Sunscreen protection, sunglasses, bikinis maybe a hat. Long trousers and shirts as on campus it is very strict when it comes to clothes and entering buildings!
Also don't forget socket adapter.
Also don't forget socket adapter.
Benefits of the internship
Definitely the experience of living abroad for some months, getting to know local culture, having friends from all over the world and mainly having unforgettable experience of many trips and crazy activities like desert overnight stay, parties in Dubai and so on.
Also the working experience for me. I worked on a really interesting research project and learned a lot.
Also the working experience for me. I worked on a really interesting research project and learned a lot.
Cooperation with IAESTE in the foreign country
Everything has been smooth, the local IAESTE workers are nice and kind, ready to help you with everything but you have to be prepared that it is arabic country and people have time for everything. If you really need something you have to call them and keep reminding yourself.
Overall experience with IAESTE
My experience with IAESTE was great. Everytime I had a problem or a question, both sides Czech or Emirati one were ready to help me and answer quickly.
Student's website
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Employer's webiste
https://www.sharjah.ac.ae/en/Research/SIMHR/Pages/default.aspx
Other useful links
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Other comments
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