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Ing. Jitka Chalupová, UCT Prague,

ročník 5

Faculty

Faculty of food and biochemical technology

Field of study

Microbiology and genetic engeneering

Field of internship

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Specialization of Internship

Biology/Biological Science, General

Internship period (from - to)

2/10/2023 - 21/12/2023

Internship duration (weeks)

Transport (means, price)

flight, 400 EUR

Insurance/Insurance company

UNIQA pojišťovna a.s.

Visa/Work permit (yes/no)

yes

Price of Visa

3975 AED

City of Internship

United Arab Emirates, Sharjah

Internship reference number

AE/2023-17-RIMHS

About the country

Location of the place

Sharjah is a big city. It's very close to Dubai, not even an hour by car. It is close to the sea and it is surrounded by the desert.

City

Sharjah is way more conservative than Dubai. To some public places you need to have your shoulders and legs covered. It is prohibited to drink alcohol there. There is not a good system of public transport. Usually we needed to take a taxi. But there are lots of nice cafés and restaurants. I would reccommend to try karak, falafel and shawarma.

Surroundings (possible trips, ...)

For trips we usually went to Dubai. There are lots of view points (e.g. Burj Khalifa, The Frame..), festivals (Indian festival) and other possibilities (the beach, jet skiing,...). We also went hiking. Most of the hiking places are about 2 hours away from Sharjah. For weekend trips we visited Oman where we rented cars and drove around (and also we slept in a desert camp there) and Abu Dhabi (where we visited Ferrari world, Sheik Zayed Grande Mosque, ...).

Employer

I was working at University of Sharjah in the medical campus (RIMHS - Research Institute for medical and health sciences). I was working in the labs of the Infectious disease group (Dr. Sameh's group). I was working in the Microbiota group of Dr. Hamad and in Dr. Ghalia's group with Helicobacter pylori.

Work description

We did basic research. We worked in multiple project. We were isolating bacteria from the beach soil, also we tried electroporation of H. pylori, we investigated the effect of several compounds on H. pylori growth etc. The work consisted of reading articles, doing experiments, making presentations etc.

Salary (sufficient for local conditions?)

We got over 3000 AED a month which is definitely sufficient since all the major expenses were paid in advance (visa, accomodation, insurance, flight). We could afford to buy food, souvenirs and to travel and do various activities.

Language requirements

In UAE there are lots of foreigners so everybody can speak English. I met just few older people who did not know English.

Accommodation (price, who provided it)

The price of accomodation was 2490 AED per 3 months. It was provided by IAESTE UAE/University of Sharjah. It was about 15 min bus ride from the university (1 hour walk). We got transportation for free to the university every day. The appartment was really nice, it was shared by 4 girls. There were 2 rooms each for 2 girls and each had a bathroom. There was nice kitchen and living room. Almost all the equipment was there.

Social life

Meeting IAESTE members (pick-up at the airport, organized events...)

IAESTE UAE organized just one event. It was a formal lunch with a little game and we got a little present. We did not get picked up at the airport but we got instructions how to get to our accomodation. IAESTE UAE took care of all the administration etc.

Meeting other foreign students

All the other female interns lived in one building so it was very easy to meet them. We got to know the boys at the medical check up where we exchanged numbers and then we were meeting with them mostly during the weekend since at uni boys and girls don't really meet. We organised many activities and trips together and became great friends.

Sport and culture

There was free gym and pool at the university which was great. We were going almost every school day. Also we went to play paddle, football, kayaking etc in Sharjah, there are many possibilities. We visited some museum about islamic culture as well.

Food, local specialties

We tried lots of local dishes. We loved drinking karak tea and eating falafel. We also ate in the arabic way on the floor. They eat lots of rice with meat (no pork, just beef, chicken, lamb or goat). Also there is very cheap street food called shawarma which is really good.

Other information

Possibilites to communicate with the Czech Republic

For texting there are no restrictions I used Whatsapp or messenger mostly. There is wifi in the accomodation and at uni. You can by sim card with data. But it is not possible to call/video call through these apps. But you can call through google meet or use vpn.

Recommendations for students who will go to the same place

Take some clothes which have long sleeves but are light and possible to wear in hot weather. I would reccomend to by sim cards with data so you can always call taxi. Try karak but ask locals for good places. Go to the night beach and try to camp in the desert. And go hiking to Jebel Jais.

What not to forget with you

Long sleeved clothes but also something summery for times when you are going to Dubai. If you want to visit Oman buy repelent. Bring some typical things from Czech republic for your supervisors and new friends.

Benefits of the internship

Using English in professional and informal situations. Learning new lab techniques. Making friends from all around the world. Learning new things about different cultural.

Cooperation with IAESTE in the foreign country

IAESTE helped us with all important administration issues. Also they provided accomodation. All of the trips we had to organize by ourselves but they provided us with support in the visa process etc.