The longest and saddest goodbyes in the UAE take place in the summer. The end of a school year is often an opportune time for foreign residents to return home.
Going back can be challenging for children and adolescents though, especially if they have spent most of their formative years in the UAE. These young people will return to their homelands as third culture kids, or TCKs, individuals who have spent a number of developmental years outside their parents’ country of origin.
This return home is often accompanied by a reverse culture shock. This is when the returnee has difficulty making cultural adaptations and psychological adjustments to the new reality of the home culture, a place they might only have visited infrequently, for a few weeks at a time.
The research exploring culture shock and reverse culture shock often describes people experiencing high levels of stress, loneliness, depression and anxiety.
Returnee TCKs frequently report feeling like they don’t belong, experiencing a sense of restlessness and alienation within their so-called home nation. Dissatisfaction is exacerbated by high expectations and some TCKs have overly rosy imaginings about the motherland.
This, of course, is not the whole story. TCKs are not doomed to be awkward characters, melancholic misfits languishing at the fringes of society. The international experience of being a third culture kid has many potentially powerful positives too.
They are reported to be good mediators, highly flexible, mature beyond their years, open-minded, curious, cross-culturally competent and have a three-dimensional world view. This last quality relates to seeing the world as a global entity populated by individuals with the same basic human needs and frailties. The TCK, therefore, is rarely small-minded, intolerant or parochial.
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In 2008, when Barack Obama was elected as the 44th president of the US, third culture kids got their poster boy. Mr Obama, having spent a period of his childhood in Indonesia, perfectly embodied the TCK ideal. Since then there has been a growing appreciation for the positive attributes that they bring to the workforce and society as a whole.
Globalisation has meant that international careers have become commonplace. Consequently the number of TCKs has risen rapidly over the past few decades too.
No one knows the exact number but at the turn of the century, best estimates suggested that there were about half a million in the US and four million globally.
In the US, the frequency of TCKs returning from overseas to study in American universities has led to them being recognised as an important and distinct cultural group.
Some universities make special efforts to ensure the wellbeing and meet the needs of this growing population within their student bodies.
An article published in the US Foreign Service Journal last year strongly advocates a supportive approach and also provides a name-and-fame list of US colleges and universities already offering special orientation sessions and support services for a third culture generation.
The extra effort to accommodate and integrate TCKs into university life is arguably motivated by the increasing value placed on the skills and attitudes these global citizens bring with them.
As some of our societies appear to be lurching toward the far right, becoming less tolerant and more insular, TCKs might just be an important part of the antidote.
According to the latest CIA World Factbook, the UAE has one of the highest foreigner-to-citizen ratios in the world and is therefore host to many TCKs.
So what can we do to ensure they are well-equipped for their re-entry into the culture of their homeland?
Many workplaces in the UAE have an orientation for new arrivals designed to help raise awareness about sociocultural dos and don’ts of everyday life. Perhaps more schools, colleges and organisations need to do something similar on exit too.
The UAE's new ruling on residency visas will be helpful. Having parents on a 10-year visa provides greater stability and might offset some of the negative consequences of being a TCK.
For example, TCKs are often impacted by the grief associated with frequently losing friends. At the end of each school year, they say goodbye forever to a sizeable portion of their classmates and perhaps even a best friend or two.
Equally, the new 10-year visa aimed at exceptional students looks like a great way for the UAE to benefit more from the highly desirable third culture talent that it helps to produce. That can only be to the benefit of the country – and its multicultural young generation.
Dr Justin Thomas is professor of psychology at Zayed University and author of Psychological Well-Being in the Gulf States
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
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THE SPECS
Engine: AMG-enhanced 3.0L inline-6 turbo with EQ Boost and electric auxiliary compressor
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 429hp
Torque: 520Nm
Price: Dh360,200 (starting)
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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'Texas Chainsaw Massacre'
Rating: 1 out of 4
Running time: 81 minutes
Director: David Blue Garcia
Starring: Sarah Yarkin, Elsie Fisher, Mark Burnham
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
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Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Rankings
ATP: 1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 10,955 pts; 2. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 8,320; 3. Alexander Zverev (GER) 6,475 ( 1); 5. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) 5,060 ( 1); 6. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 4,845 ( 1); 6. Roger Federer (SUI) 4,600 (-3); 7. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 4,110 ( 2); 8. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 3,960; 9. John Isner (USA) 3,155 ( 1); 10. Marin Cilic (CRO) 3,140 (-3)
WTA: 1. Naomi Osaka (JPN) 7,030 pts ( 3); 2. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 6,290 ( 4); 3. Simona Halep (ROM) 5,582 (-2); 4. Sloane Stephens (USA) 5,307 ( 1); 5. Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 5,100 ( 3); 6. Angelique Kerber (GER) 4,965 (-4); 7. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 4,940; 8. Kiki Bertens (NED) 4,430 ( 1); 9. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 3,566 (-6); 10. Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) 3,485 ( 1)
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
MATCH INFO
Europa League semi-final, second leg
Atletico Madrid (1) v Arsenal (1)
Where: Wanda Metropolitano
When: Thursday, May 3
Live: On BeIN Sports HD
