Initially, I was very sceptical of studying in Dubai and was wondering if it would just like school all over again, but after finishing my first year in Heriot watt Dubai campus I would say that it isn’t all bad. Yes, you do get little exposure to the “university life” here but I would say it isn’t the greatest. It is difficult for me specifically to give an accurate answer as I have lived in Dubai all my life and I do like with my parents so the sense of responsibility and freedom is definitely hampered. Nonetheless out of the universities available in the UAE Heriot way does provide a great variety in courses and does maintain a high standard in all of them. I would say that is their greatest strength overall. As for holistic development, I would say that the university does fall short in that department and this cannot be entirely blamed at the university but the general living conditions in Dubai.