Studying Abroad in the UAE Through JCU Direct Exchange: A Year That Expanded My World

What happens when you leave the familiarity of Rome and spend a semester or a full academic year studying in a completely different part of the world? For John Cabot University students, the Direct Exchange Program offers an opportunity to experience university life at one of JCU's partner institutions while continuing to pay JCU tuition and earning credits toward their degree.  

Direct Exchange allows eligible, degree-seeking students to spend a semester or year abroad at a partner university around the world. Beyond the academic experience, studying in a new country can give students the opportunity to develop greater independence, encounter different perspectives, and experience a new culture as part of everyday life.

For JCU student Vittoria Ferri, that opportunity meant traveling from Rome to the United Arab Emirates to study at the American University of Sharjah. What began as a desire to experience something genuinely different became a year of academic challenges, new friendships, cultural discovery, and personal growth. Curious about what studying abroad is really like? Vittoria shares her experience in the UAE, from her first impressions to the lessons she learned while living and studying in a new culture.

First Impressions of Studying in the UAE

Landing in the UAE in the late summer heat is something you don’t forget. The air is thick, the light is strong, and the rhythm of the day is different. What struck me most, though, wasn’t the weather but it was the sense of order and calm.

The campus is green, carefully designed, and quiet in a way that felt very different from Rome. Students from dozens of countries walked between classes speaking Arabic, English, Hindi, Urdu, and many other languages. It was the first time I had lived somewhere where so many different worlds existed side by side so naturally.

I quickly realized that the region is not one single story. Cities across the UAE like Sharjah and Dubai are close to each other but feel distinct. One is quieter and more traditional in atmosphere, while the other is fast and vertical. Living between them gave me a fuller picture than any single place alone could have offered.

Academic Life Like at the American University of Sharjah

Academically, the year was demanding in a good way. Classes were rigorous and discussion-based, often with a more international focus than I was used to. Because the student body is so diverse, conversations rarely stayed inside one perspective.

I found myself listening more carefully and choosing my words more deliberately. It was a reminder that learning is not only about what you know, but also about how you hear others.

While the American academic structure itself felt familiar coming from John Cabot, the unique environment at AUS pushed me to apply that discipline in a whole new setting. Managing high academic expectations alongside a new cultural rhythm reinforced the self-reliance and time-management skills I had first built while studying in the USA.

Student and Daily Life in the UAE 

The most lasting part of the experience was the people and the vibrant lifestyle across the Emirates. I made friends from countries I had never really thought about before. Some became close; others were simply part of daily life. What they shared was a willingness to explain their world and to ask about mine.

Hospitality in the UAE is a normal part of how people live. Shared meals, invitations to homes, and long conversations over coffee taught me more than any classroom could.

While the summer heat is intense, air conditioning is everywhere, making day-to-day life completely comfortable. Beyond campus, the AUS Exchange Office made it effortless to explore the region. They organized trips to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Hatta, as well as cultural activities like traditional Emirati dinners and guided mosque visits. During my free time I spent much of my social life heading out in Dubai, taking full advantage of everything the country has to offer at the point when i decided to extend my exchange for another semester.

What I Learned From Living in the UAE 

Of everything I learned, the most valuable takeaway was learning to see a place on its own terms rather than through outside assumptions. Living in the UAE made me realize how important it is to distinguish between religion and culture  many traditions, from warm hospitality to local etiquette, are cultural customs that exist alongside faith rather than stemming directly from it.

Once I stopped viewing things through a foreign lens, I could appreciate the local rhythm much more clearly. It made me a better guest, a better friend, and far more thoughtful about the assumptions I carry when encountering any new society.

How Studying Abroad Changed My Perspective

When I returned to Italy, the city looked the same, but I didn’t. I had a wider frame of reference. I had lived in a place that balances tradition and rapid change in ways that are often misunderstood from the outside. I had experienced real hospitality and real diversity. Most of all, I had tested my independence in a completely new context and realized I could handle more than I thought.

This is the approach I try to follow: go out, explore, take the best from every situation, and then return home to decide. Sometimes the decision is to continue building on what you already have. Sometimes it is to move and start something different. Either way, the time away gives you clearer eyes. One day I hope to teach my children what I learned  to travel, to experience different lifestyles, and to return home with a wider understanding of the world.

Advice for JCU Students Considering Direct Exchange

If you are thinking about taking the leap through JCU’s Direct Exchange, here are my top takeaways:

• Embrace the unknown: Choose a location that forces you out of your comfort zone, even if you don’t have existing reference points.

• Get involved in campus excursions: Take full advantage of trips organized by the host exchange office (Abu Dhabi, Hatta, and beyond) to see different sides of the country.

• Listen before you speak: Pay attention to how people communicate. Learning how others view the world is just as important as sharing your own perspective.

• Separate religion from culture: Take time to understand local etiquette, traditions, and social harmony on their own terms without making quick assumptions.

• Build your own story: Use your time abroad as a deliberate step to test your independence and build confidence in your own path.
  

To the friends I made across the UAE: thank you for opening your lives to me. For a while, you made a foreign place feel like home, hopefully to call home again soon. 

Taking the Experience Home

Vittoria's experience in the UAE illustrates how studying abroad can become an important part of a student's personal and academic journey. What began as a desire to experience something unfamiliar ultimately gave her the opportunity to build new relationships, navigate a different cultural environment, challenge her assumptions, and discover that she was capable of more independence than she had expected.

Through JCU's Direct Exchange Program, students can create their own experiences abroad at partner universities around the world while continuing to make progress toward their JCU degree. For students willing to step outside their comfort zone, an exchange can offer more than a change of scenery. It can provide new perspectives, lasting connections, and a deeper understanding of how they fit into an increasingly interconnected world.

FAQs About JCU's Direct Exchange Program

What is Direct Exchange at John Cabot University? JCU's Direct Exchange program allows eligible degree-seeking students to spend a semester studying at one of JCU's partner universities around the world. Students continue to pay JCU tuition while abroad and can transfer eligible credits back toward their JCU degree.

Who can participate in JCU's Direct Exchange program? The program is open to degree-seeking JCU students who meet the eligibility requirements for studying abroad. Students should review the current program requirements when considering a Direct Exchange.

Do students pay tuition to the host university? No. Students participating in JCU's Direct Exchange program continue to pay JCU tuition, including applicable financial aid awards, rather than paying tuition to the host university. Students are responsible for housing, transportation, and living expenses while abroad.

Can I earn credits while studying abroad? Yes. Students can take courses at their host university and transfer eligible credits back to JCU, allowing them to continue making progress toward their degree while studying abroad.

What are the benefits of studying abroad through Direct Exchange? A Direct Exchange can give students the opportunity to gain international academic experience, develop independence and resilience, encounter new perspectives, and experience everyday life in another country.

Where can JCU students study abroad? JCU has direct exchange agreements with universities around the world. Available destinations and partner universities may change, so students should consult JCU's Direct Exchange program for the current list of opportunities.

Learn more about the Direct Exchange program at John Cabot University or contact directexchange@johncabot.edu for more information.