Joe Biden’s victory in the US presidential election will encourage more UAE students to study in America, it is being claimed.
Under Donald Trump's administration, the number of such students in the US declined because of unfavourable immigration policies and difficulties in securing visas.
A report in 2018 showed the number of UAE students choosing to study in the US had actually dropped for the first time in a decade.
Education experts agreed that Mr Biden’s victory would likely lead to more interest from students here.
“This is great news for international students,” said Peter Davos, founder of the Hale Education Group, an education consultancy that helps students apply to US universities.
"Families have been holding back and watching how the election played out," he said. "They wanted to see who would take power and now they know it's OK to go back."
In 2017, the US government introduced an entry ban on citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries – Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. There was also the so-called extreme vetting of visa applicants and an increase in hate crimes against Muslims.
This made many people feel insecure about studying in the US.
Mr Biden has promised to overturn this ban as soon as he takes office in January.
Mr Davos said that, in the past four years, students were looking for options elsewhere – such as Canada – because of difficulties in getting US visas.
Mr Trump’s administration wanted to introduce a policy under which an international student could stay in the US for a maximum period of four years.
At present, students can stay in the country for as long as they wish if they are studying at a college or a university. Now Mr Trump’s plans will not go ahead.
“There was increasing anxiety,” Mr Davos said. “Now, I have lots of exciting emails from students we sent to the US.”
Jana Charchar, a Syrian-American pupil in Dubai, wants to study business and film in California.
Because of Mr Trump’s immigration policies, she was looking at studying in Europe despite having a US passport.
"If Trump was re-elected the US would not have been my top choice, as I would not be able to see my family," said Ms Charchar.
“I am hoping all of Trump’s ridiculous bans would be revoked and the US would become a more accepting place especially for students,” said Ms Charchar, 17.
“I feel Biden has a bigger heart and I am hoping the Muslim ban is lifted, and we can go to the US without any difficulties.”
Credits
Produced by: Colour Yellow Productions and Eros Now
Director: Mudassar Aziz
Cast: Sonakshi Sinha, Jimmy Sheirgill, Jassi Gill, Piyush Mishra, Diana Penty, Aparshakti Khurrana
Star rating: 2.5/5
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
Essentials
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car/driver, costs from £1,445 (Dh6,968) per person.
The Bio
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity
Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
Tank warfare
Lt Gen Erik Petersen, deputy chief of programs, US Army, has argued it took a “three decade holiday” on modernising tanks.
“There clearly remains a significant armoured heavy ground manoeuvre threat in this world and maintaining a world class armoured force is absolutely vital,” the general said in London last week.
“We are developing next generation capabilities to compete with and deter adversaries to prevent opportunism or miscalculation, and, if necessary, defeat any foe decisively.”
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
