New York University Abu Dhabi

The university moved to its permanent campus on Saadiyat Island in September 2014, at the start of my final year there. Designed by Vinoly, it's an architectural beauty. There are 2 dining halls on the ends of the campus & a publicly accessible high line with sloped lawns, palm trees, napping students, lots of birds, a few stray cats, & on a good night, the faculty rock band.

To get there from downtown:

- take the hwy to Saadiyat
- exit 11
- follow gigantic purple signs on the roadside that say "New York University"

Campus security will stop you at a checkpoint but they just want to know your business on campus.