Understand a little about the Emirate of Dubai. The Emirate, a principality which is part of the United Arab Emirates, is located on the Arab peninsula and, as part of the UAE, is bounded by the Persian Gulf to the north, Oman to the south and east, the Gulf of Oman to the east, and Saudi Arabia to the west. It is considered more liberal, socially, than Saudi Arabia, and the city of Dubai is home to some of the most fantastic hotels, restaurants, and clubs in the Middle East, if not the world. Dubai is the capital city of the Emirate of Dubai, a member of the loose federation that comprises the UAE and has long been a center for trade and culture.
Research a university within the Emirate. The most difficult problem will be deciding upon a university to study at while in Dubai. Dozens of foreign- and Dubai-sponsored universities exist in Dubai, including Michigan State University, University of Phoenix, and Manchester University. A good resource is Dubai's "International Academic City" (see Resources, below), an online clearinghouse of services and university links which can help you decide on the best fit for your style.
Apply to more than one of the universities in Dubai. As with state-side universities, it is best to apply to several different universities in Dubai. Each university will have its own aid package and courses for you to take and in some cases, you may get better financial and academic support from some non-American universities. Again, the Dubai International Academic City will have important information regarding this aspect of your education, as will the individual universities listed at the DIAC website.Apply early to overseas universities, as you will need extra time to acquire your visa and put your affairs in order before you can attend a university in Dubai.
Acquire your visa. Though American citizens who are only visiting Dubai do not need to apply for a visa (this means you can buy a ticket to Dubai and enter the country without prior permission), students who wish to study abroad should apply for a visa as soon as they receive their acceptance letter. It is important that you receive this acceptance letter as you will need a sponsor or "host" to stay in the country for extended periods of time (such as to study). The requirements for US citizens is listed via the link below (see Resources, below) and should be complied with fully.
Arrange your finances. It is recommended that you set up an account with a major American bank, such as Bank of America or Chase Bank, before you leave for Dubai. Your ATM card will enable you to withdraw money from your bank for a very small fee, much smaller than having to convert your dirhams into dollars, or vice-versa, at airports and banks in Dubai. You should arrange for aid checks and grant monies to be directly deposited to your account, if possible, as communication between banks half a world apart is expensive and can be slow. Similarly, you should have someone, preferably a relative, make deposits to your bank account if you receive any monetary gifts rather than having them sent directly to you in Dubai.