Top cultural experiences every international student must try in Dubai

When you move to Dubai as a student, one of the first things you will notice is the warmth of Emirati hospitality. Nowhere is this more evident than in heritage homes, where hosts open their doors to share traditional meals.

Picture yourself stepping into a beautifully preserved house with wind towers and shaded courtyards. You are welcomed with Arabic coffee and dates before being served dishes such as machboos (rice with spiced meat or fish), thareed (bread and meat stew) and golden luqaimat. Between courses, you will hear stories of Emirati family life and how traditions have been passed down through generations.

As a student, these immersive Emirati meals in heritage homes let you experience everyday culture up close. It is not about fine dining; it is about being part of a home, a conversation and a tradition.

Before skyscrapers dominated Dubai, the sea shaped its lifestyle. Pearl diving once supported entire communities, and its legacy lives on in museums and cultural centres.

Spend an afternoon at the Sharjah Maritime Museum or visit heritage villages to see pearl diving tools, wooden dhows and stories of divers who risked their lives for the gems that sustained the economy. For international students, learning about pearl diving traditions is a window into the resilience and ingenuity of the Emirates before oil transformed its future.

Standing by the waters of Dubai Creek or the Arabian Gulf, it is easy to imagine the rhythm of that older way of life. For students living in a fast-paced city, it is a grounding reminder of where Dubai’s story began.

Every student in Dubai should spend at least one evening in the desert. It is where the city’s energy gives way to stillness, where the traffic noise is replaced by wind sweeps over sand dunes.

At a cultural camp, you will ride camels across golden sands, sit under a canopy of stars and share a traditional dinner on carpets and cushions. The menu often includes slow-cooked meats, freshly baked bread and aromatic rice, accompanied by music, poetry or falconry displays.

These desert camp cultural dinners let you experience a slice of Bedouin life while offering the perfect escape from deadlines and exams. For students, it is not just a night out; it is a memory that stays with you whenever you think about your time in Dubai.

One of the most captivating performances you will encounter in Dubai is Al-Ayyala, the traditional stick dance inscribed on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Performed during festivals, weddings and national celebrations, it features two rows of men facing each other, moving in unison while beating drums and chanting Nabati poetry.

The rhythm is hypnotic, and the performance energy is infectious. You may first see it during UAE National Day celebrations, but cultural festivals across the city also showcase it. For students, witnessing Al-Ayyala is an opportunity to feel connected to the UAE’s living traditions, an art form that celebrates unity and pride.

Fragrance is central to Dubai life. Step into a souk and you will be enveloped by the deep, woody scent of Oud and the sweet smoke of Bakhoor. As a student, you can go beyond simply buying a bottle by joining a perfume-making workshop.

These sessions will guide you through the history of perfumery in the region, from incense rituals to scent's role in hospitality. You will experiment with different notes and create your own blend to take home, a personal souvenir of your time in Dubai.

Workshops like these are perfect for students curious about creativity, tradition and the art of leaving a lasting impression.

Dubai isn’t only about futuristic skylines; it also has a thriving art scene that students can explore at their own pace. Alserkal Avenue in Al Quoz is a hub of independent galleries where exhibitions often tackle themes of migration, identity and the environment. Jameel Arts Centre offers world-class contemporary exhibitions, while smaller spaces like XVA Gallery in Al Fahidi Historic District merge traditional settings with modern art.

Spending a weekend wandering through these spaces is not just about appreciating art, it is about joining conversations that matter to the city today. For students, galleries also host talks, film screenings and workshops, making them excellent spaces to learn, connect and find inspiration outside of the classroom.

Culture in Dubai is not confined to museums or heritage centres; it’s woven into daily life. During Ramadan, the evenings come alive with community iftars and festive lights. On National Day, parades and fireworks transform the city into a celebration of unity. Annual events like the SIKKA Art Fair turn entire districts into outdoor galleries where you can mingle, explore and get inspired.

For students, these are the moments when you feel part of something larger than yourself. Whether you’re sharing an iftar meal with classmates, watching fireworks over Downtown Dubai or exploring an art festival, these everyday experiences turn the city into a second home.

Cultural experiences like no other:

Choosing where to study is never just about the degree, it is about the life you will live while earning it. In Dubai, cultural life is not something you have to search for; it surrounds you in the meals you share, the art you see, the markets you wander and the festivals you celebrate.

Approach these experiences with curiosity and respect, and they will shape your time as a student in ways no lecture ever could. A greeting in Arabic, a question asked at a heritage dinner or a night spent under desert stars can spark connections and memories that last far beyond graduation.

Dubai offers a rare balance: a place where tradition thrives alongside modern life, where students can study in world-class institutions while living in a city rich with culture. If you are picturing your next chapter abroad, imagine not just the qualifications you will gain but also the cultural stories you will collect. In Dubai, you will find both.