Hey teens, think there’s nothing to do in Abu Dhabi except trawl the malls? Then think again!
TRY SOMETHING NEW
Urban dance
Whether you’re serious about fitness or just want to have fun, Fit & Flex offers weekly dance classes for boys and girls aged 12-18. The eight-week programme includes 50-minute hip-hop, contemporary and street dance classes twice a week. Students will give a performance at the end of the course for parents. You can also join the boot camp to help build your fitness and strengthen your core to make you a better dancer.
AED 1,120 for dance course, AED 540 for boot camp. Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Sas Al Nakl. Advanced registration necessary. Dates for next term to be confirmed. Tue and Sat 3.30pm.
Contact: 055 146 6123 www.fitnflex.com
The Sports School
Want to take up a new sport? Abu Dhabi Country Club hosts various programmes including indoor football, basketball and swimming as well as taekwondo, kickboxing, ballet, hip-hop, Zumba and gymnastics for over tens. There’s also a circuit training class for kids up to 17.
From AED 65 per session. Al Saada Street (19th), Al Mushrif.
Contact: 02 657 7765 [email protected] www.adcountryclub.com
Youth Sports Academy
If you’re not sure where to start, Haddins offers supervised gym classes three days a week that are tailored to boys and girls aged 12-15. A qualified instructor will teach techniques and safety to help you build muscles and achieve results. You can also join the primal training session – think of it as boot-camp with buddies – or the speed, agility and quickness class to improve coordination and reaction time.
AED 50 per session. Gym class at Zayed Sports City, other sessions at Masdar Institute Leisure Centre, Masdar City, near Abu Dhabi International Airport.
Contact: 050 566 4874 www.haddins.com
L’atelier des Arts
Tap into your creative side at this art studio that offers various arts and crafts courses for youths aged ten-14. Try your hand at découpage, sewing, crochet, jewellery and mosaic-making, scrapbooking and painting on silk, porcelain or glass. Courses include five one-hour sessions held once a week at the studio.
Courses range from AED 950 to AED 1,950 including all materials. Fotouh Al Khair Centre, Marks & Spencer building, Airport Road. Timings vary.
Contact: 02 639 7104 www.latelierarts.com
Glee Club at the Hub
Whether you were destined for the spotlight like Glee’s Rachel Berry or just want to build your confidence while meeting new people, this glee club will give you the chance to express yourself through singing and dancing. Expect to belt out everything from pop hits to musical favourites while you learn choreography, character development, improvisation and more.
AED 80 per session. The Music Hub, Falcon Tower, Hamdan Street, opposite Al Hosn Fort. Ten-12s Sat 3.15pm-4.15pm, 13-18s Sat 4.30pm-5.30pm.
Contact: 02 632 7888 www.facebook.com/gleeclubatthehub
GIVE BACK
Operation Smile
Every three minutes a child is born with a cleft lip or palate – a facial deformity that can be fatal. The international children’s charity, Operation Smile, provides free surgery and after care to help children born with such deformities so they can smile properly. The capital’s branch funds operations by hosting awareness campaigns, recycling programmes, bake sales, book sales and other community events. Volunteers can work at the charity’s office doing administration or help host activities at its community events. Every year, exceptional volunteers are chosen to attend an international student medical conference, which has been hosted in Ireland, China and US in previous years. Over 15s. Corner of Muroor Road and Al Saada Street before ADNOC.
Contact: 02 658 4790 arabemirates.operationsmile.org
Volunteer in UAE
Founded by Lola Lopez, ‘Volunteer in UAE’ has worked 382,247 hours since its launch in 2008. The organisation supplies volunteers for various events across the emirate. Teens can spend a day with special needs children at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi or join a charity event. Some events are restricted to 16-year-olds or over 18s. Under 16s can be accompanied by an adult.
Register online at www.volunteerinuae.com/register
Sheikh Khalifa Medical City
Volunteer in one of the capital’s biggest hospitals where you can greet and escort patients, provide wheelchair assistance or offer office and administrative assistance. Volunteers also have the opportunity to play musical instruments to patients or compete with them in video
games. Over 16s.
Register online at www.skmc.ae
Contact: 02 819 4505
SAVE DIRHAMS
Abu Dhabi Festival
Abu Dhabi Festival 2015 runs from 3rd March to 2nd April. In a bid to make the festival’s performances accessible to everyone, the organisers are offering a 50 per cent discount for all students. Tickets will be verified on the door so be sure to bring valid student ID to the performance. Offer is not valid for ‘Othello: The Remix’ and performances in Abu Dhabi Theatre.
Contact: 050 129 9103 www.abudhabifestival.ae
The Apple Store
Saving up for a new gadget? The Apple store offers great student discounts. Save up to AED 792 on a Mac, and up to AED 128 on an iPad. The offer is valid for college students, students accepted to college and faculty who need the product for educational use. Valid for orders placed online or over the phone. Free shipping for orders above AED 200. Sun-Thu 9am-5pm.
Contact: 800 044 403 96 store.apple.com/ae-edu
University Discounts
American University of Sharjah (AUS)
Receive a 10 per cent discount in G2000, Springfield, The Face Shop and Sacoor Brothers – with the exception of the Dubai Mall branch – as well as a free milkshake and fries with your burger at BurgerFuel. You’ll also get a discounted platinum membership fee at Fitness First for AED 468 per month instead of AED 599 or AED 4,599 per year instead of AED 5,299. Students must show valid AUS ID.
Zayed University
Student discounts include 70 per cent off diamond jewellery from Pure Gold Jewellers and 30 per cent off at La Moda Sunglasses upon presentation of a valid student ID card.
University of Sharjah
Receive a 15 per cent discount at Pizzaro and Emirates Park Resort and a 20 per cent discount at Home Centre and home decor shop 2XL. Benefit from free eye tests, 10 per cent off contact lenses and 25 per cent off frames, sunglasses, prescription lenses and contact lense solution at Al Jaber Optical. You can also enjoy 25 per cent off your annual subscription to velvet magazine.
THE IMBETWEENERS
Where do older teens hang out? We ask resident teenagers about their favourite places in the capital
Wided Terchoun
Age: 19
Nationality: Algerian
Wided is studying biotechnology at the University of Sharjah. She says,
Bateen Ladies Beach next to Al Bateen Beach is one of the few places I can be comfortable in the open air. It’s also great to soak up some vitamin D after being indoors so much of the time.
Saif Shanableh
Age: 19
Nationality: Palestinian/Jordanian
Saif is studying interior design at American University of Dubai. He says,
One of my favourite places is the area by the ships in Mina, near Zayed Port. It’s far from lights and crowds, so you can see the stars and feel a cool breeze. It’s where I find solitude.
Sumayya Sideek
Age: 18
Nationality: Sri Lankan
Sumayya Sideek is taking the International Foundation Programme at Middlesex University. She says,
The playground in front of Pappa Roti, behind Corniche Towers, at Al Khubeirah in Khalidiya. Whenever I go out with my friends, we either start there or end up there. All of my memories are there, and there are so many places to eat. The weather’s always ideal, even in summer.
Sabira Huda
Age: 18
Nationality: Bengali
Sabira is on a gap year working as a secretary at the cable firm Nexans. She says,
Off Yas Island there’s a wonderful, untouched beach that you reach by leaving the Yas highway at its first junction. Naturally serene, it will always be special to me because this is where my family and I come to get fresh air and take a break. Bonfires and grill nights have become the norm after discovering this free, majestic coastline.
Mohamed Ahmed Obaidli
Age: 18
Nationality: Emirati
Mohamed is in First National Service. He says,
The World Trade Center Mall on Hamdan Street. The cinema is amazing because there are several types of seating options such as seven stars as well as balcony seats. It also has a variety of shops and restaurants. The calming jazz music at the rooftop garden on the fourth level makes it a great place to let off steam, too.
