A Senior’s Inside Look at Student Life at NYU Abu Dhabi

Hi there! I’m Brettany, and I’m excited to share my experiences as an NYU Abu Dhabi student with you. I’m in my fourth year here, so I’m very familiar with all aspects of student life at NYU Abu Dhabi. First things first: Let’s talk about life in the residence halls.

Living in the dorms at NYU Abu Dhabi was my first time being away from home, as it is for many students, both local and international. That shared first experience creates an instant sense of connection. You’re all adjusting together, and it doesn’t take long before your community starts to feel like a second family.

I genuinely love dorm life. I had a roommate up until junior year, and it was never a problem for me. If anything, it felt like I instantly gained a sister. There’s something really special about the everyday moments, late-night talks, sharing cultures, swapping snacks, baking together, borrowing clothes, and learning each other’s traditions that you share in the most natural way. I still remember my suitemates making karak chai or bringing me local food from home, like luqaimat and stuffed grape leaves.

Now in my senior year, I have a single room, and I’ve loved experiencing dorm life in a new way. It’s my first time really decorating my own space. I’m lucky to have a beautiful view of the sunset and the cityscape of Al Reem Island across the sea.

I love the residential buildings’ shared spaces, especially the lounge kitchens. They’re one of my favorite things about living on campus. Students cook, bake, watch movies, and sometimes even play video games there. Every dorm floor has its own lounge, which is perfect for studying or spending time with friends. It’s also where so many classic NYU Abu Dhabi moments happen. You haven’t truly experienced dorm life here until you’ve surprised a friend, or been surprised by them, in the lounge on your birthday. 

My go-to for meals on campus are the dining halls. We have two, the Campus West and Campus East dining halls. I love how easy it is to build a balanced plate by choosing a portion of protein, carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables, plus a drink. On some days, I like getting salad or bao buns. It’s convenient, and there’s always a good variety. The staff are genuinely friendly and accommodating, which makes a big difference on busy days.

If I’m choosing a favorite place to grab a bite, it’s Campus Marketplace. I love that you can pick from so many cuisines, from Mexican and South Asian to Italian and Pacific Asian, depending on what you’re craving, all in one spot. My usual order is the bento box, although I’m also a big fan of the wok station and poke bowls.

Another dining spot worth mentioning is the Sushi Counter right beside the West Dining Hall. You can use campus cash there too, and it’s honestly one of my favorite quick meals. If you go, the Dynamite Roll and Double Crab are must-tries.

I really appreciate how easy it is to grab essentials right on campus. Having a convenience store nearby for quick groceries and basics makes daily life so much smoother.

I love how small the classes are at NYU Abu Dhabi. Most of my classes have around 10 to 15 students, and sometimes even fewer, which makes a huge difference. It’s so much easier to communicate with professors, ask questions during class, and actually feel comfortable speaking up. Professors also feel very accessible. It’s very simple to go to office hours, follow up after class, and even ask about opportunities beyond the classroom, like volunteering or assisting with research in their labs.

The small class size also makes it nearly effortless to build real connections with classmates. Classes become a space where you actually get to know people, and friendships form naturally. For example, I took a colloquium class in my first year, and I’m still close friends with many of the people from that class today.

Another thing I really appreciate is how global the classroom experience feels. We often have guest speakers join our classes from all over the world. This makes discussions feel real and connected to what’s happening outside campus.

I love that I get to learn other languages because there’s a wide variety of options offered, such as Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, Japanese, and French. I’ve taken Beginner Spanish and Beginner Japanese.

One of my biggest surprises when I started was how amazing the art classes are here. The studios are well-equipped, and materials and equipment are provided. This makes it so much easier to experiment, learn, and enjoy the process. 

When I’m not in class, I love having little reset moments around campus. Sometimes that means going for a chill run in the nearby parks. They’re really well designed, with playgrounds, dog parks, and outdoor exercise areas. It’s such a quick way to clear my head and enjoy being outside.

When I don’t feel like studying in the library, I’ll switch it up and go to a nearby dessert spot like Mysk for a change of scenery. They have really good carrot cake and hibiscus tea, so it’s the perfect place to sit for a bit and get some work done. And honestly, if someone asks me if I want boba from Boba Bae, the boba place right beside campus, there is no way I’m saying no. We’ll grab boba, stay there for a while to study, and then head back to campus to hang out at the Palms and just catch up. 

In terms of safety, I feel very safe here. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is an incredibly safe place to live, and being on campus adds an extra layer that makes it easy to relax. You’ll find security personnel around 24/7, and they’re always ready to help. Most buildings require an access card to enter, and there are CCTV cameras throughout campus. With well-lit paths and people always around in shared spaces, it genuinely feels like a place you can focus on living, studying, and enjoying campus life. 

If you know me, you’ll know I’m addicted to karak chai. It’s strong, sweet, milky, and heavily infused with cardamom (and sometimes saffron). If I can’t go get some myself, a friend will literally grab it for me across campus from Grandiose Supermarket. Grandiose is one of my usual spots because it’s not just a supermarket. It has a bakery, a cafe, a flower shop, a meat shop, and even a food avenue for meals. It’s the kind of place where you go in for karak and somehow leave with pastries and snacks too. 

One of the most fun parts of campus life for me has been staying active. I’ve joined marathon runs off campus with NYU Abu Dhabi Athletics, and they register students for free and provide snacks after. I go to the gym both solo and with friends, which has become part of our hangout routine. I love that we have the option of an all-women’s gym, but we also go to the mixed gym sometimes, and both are well equipped. 

When it comes to relaxing, my friends and I always come back to Baraha on campus. We’ll book a room to watch movies or do karaoke, especially after a long day. Other times, we’ll keep it simple and hang out in the dorm living room, playing board games, watching a movie, and just catching up. 

There’s always something happening here. I love going to events, taking photo booth pictures with my friends, joining activities with student clubs, grabbing merch, and, of course, trying whatever good food is around. On random days, we’ll do spontaneous plans like going to the climbing wall, booking an indoor court to play badminton, or having a quick dip in the campus swimming pool. That’s what I love about student life at NYU Abu Dhabi. It’s easy to try new things and turn a normal day into something fun. 

It also helps that there are shuttle services to malls, so my friends and I go whenever we have free time. If we want something more chill, we’ll head to Mamsha Beach on Saadiyat Island, about 15 minutes from campus. We’ll study there with snacks, stroll along the beach, or even go for a swim. It feels like a mini-escape while still being close to campus. 

On weekends and during fall or spring break, it’s very common for NYU Abu Dhabi students to travel outside the UAE. The UAE is in a great location, so it’s easy to reach the Gulf, Europe, Asia, and Africa. A lot of students visit places like Armenia, Georgia, Thailand, Oman, and Turkey. I’ve traveled with friends (and sometimes gone solo!) to places like Georgia, the Maldives, Jordan, Italy, Egypt, and Kazakhstan. It’s one of the best parts of being here. You can study in Abu Dhabi and have so many adventures just a quick trip away.