Emirati Americans (Standard Arabic: الأميركيون الإماراتيون; Emirati Arabic: الأميركيين الإماراتيين) are Americans who have roots, origin, and descent from the United Arab Emirates.
الأميركيين الإماراتيين | |
---|---|
Total population | |
18,046[1] | |
Regions with significant populations | |
United States of America · United Arab Emirates | |
Languages | |
American English · Emirati Arabic | |
Religion | |
Sunni Islam, Shia Islam | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Arab Americans, Americans, Emiratis |
There are over 18,000 Emiratis in the US, the vast majority of whom are students pursuing education across various universities and institutes.[2][3] According to a report produced by the Institute of International Education, there were more than 1,200 Emiratis living and studying at US universities during the 2008–09 academic year.[4][5] This was a 24 percent jump from the previous year and reflected the growing trend of Emirati students choosing the U.S. as a base for higher education.[5]
Out of those figures, 60 percent were undergraduate students, 17 percent were graduate and 21 percent were studying at a non-degree (English language and other short-term training or non-degree programme) level. A further 2 per cent were proceeding with optional practical training after the conclusion of their academic courses.[5] The UAE government has implemented a wide range of services to Emirati nationals in the US, often in the form of financial support and funding. It is estimated that there is a very small diaspora, mainly because the UAE provides them with more than adequate welfare benefits, removing the need to live and work in other developed countries.[6] Some long-settled Emiratis in the US have acquired American citizenship over the years.[7]
The US remains one of the most popular destinations for Emirati students.[8] As of the 2012/13 academic year, there were over 2,250 UAE students studying in the US.[9]