What is Candidate Weekend at NYU Abu Dhabi?

Marhaba—welcome to Abu Dhabi! If you’re journeying to Candidate Weekend from outside the United Arab Emirates (UAE), you’ll arrive on Wednesday or Thursday. Then, NYU Abu Dhabi staff will greet you before you settle into your hotel. If you’re coming from within the UAE, you’ll arrive on Thursday or Friday depending on where you’re traveling from.

Diana Teodora Hangan, a first-year student who attended Candidate Weekend last year, remembers arriving full of excitement and nerves. “When I got to my hotel room and looked out the window, tall buildings that seemed to touch the sky faced me. They reminded me that anything is possible,” she says.

On your first day, you’ll learn all about life in the UAE, from safety–Abu Dhabi is commonly listed as one of the safest cities in the world–to food.

“It’s unbelievable how good the food is here and how many options are available,” says Alex Lo Storto. He’s a first-year student who attended Candidate Weekend last year. Alex chose NYU Abu Dhabi for its interdisciplinary curriculum, which allows him to learn about multiple subjects at once. “In my first semester, I am studying business, math, computer science, and Arabic,” he affirms.

After breakfast on campus, Vice Chancellor Fabio Piano and Provost Arlie Petters will greet you with opening remarks. You’ll learn what makes NYU Abu Dhabi unique, explore academic programs and majors, and find out what it means to gain a truly global education. There will also be a Q&A session with opportunities to get your questions answered.

During day one, you’ll learn everything about being a student at NYUAD. You’ll take a campus tour, check out classrooms and labs, and get to know student spaces. You might even get to pet one of NYU Abu Dhabi’s beloved campus cats along the way.

A Candidate Weekend highlight is the Friday evening trip to the desert or an Iftar meal if you’re joining us during the holy month of Ramadan! You’ll enjoy a unique experience with your peers while taking turns sharing the story behind a special object you brought from home that gives some insight about who you are. (Don’t forget to pack your special object!)

“My favorite part of Candidate Weekend was the desert trip,” says Diana. “We saw the sunset and the stars, climbed the dunes, and made great memories while forming deep connections with people from all over the world.”

Candidate Weekend also includes an in-depth look at academics at NYUAD. To start, you’ll attend a Trailblazer Class, an hour-long sample session designed to show you what an NYU Abu Dhabi class is really like.

Ozgur Sinanoglu, an electrical and computer engineering professor at NYU Abu Dhabi, covers the basics of coding theory in his sample class. Last year’s session was his favorite yet. “When I asked if anyone had any questions, one student asked about ‘unhackable chips,’ without knowing that it was my research that led to their development,” he says. “Such a conclusion was the icing on the cake!”

Furthermore, you’ll participate in a brief interview and take a short assessment. The interview is a perfect opportunity to share why you’re interested in joining the NYU Abu Dhabi community. It may sound nerve-racking, but try not to stress too much. Just be yourself and let your interviewer know why you’re a great fit.

“I went in expecting an interrogation, but it was really just an enthusiastic chat about why I loved NYU Abu Dhabi,” says Alex. “My advice? Dive into everything—professors, facilities, even NYU Abu Dhabi’s Instagram memes—and come ready to explain your obsession.”

Finally, the day wraps up with a social mixer, allowing you to connect with admissions staff, student leaders, and faculty.

By the time Candidate Weekend comes to an end, you’ll have a clear picture of life as an NYU Abu Dhabi student. More importantly, you’ll better understand whether the campus is the right fit for your goals and personality.

“During Candidate Weekend, I formed deep connections, making friends whom I feel I have known for a lifetime,” shares Diana. “Having the chance to speak to faculty, see all the resources that NYU Abu Dhabi has to offer, and feel what life on campus is like reassured me that I have found my home away from home here at NYU Abu Dhabi.”