With competition between nations rising so rapidly, who would have thought that one of the fastest developing cities can be found among the sand dunes in the Arabian desert. This fall, I had the amazing opportunity to go visit Dubai, and while I was there, debunk a few common myths about this Emirate state.

1. Dubai is a country:

Sorry, but for all of you who have desperately tried to search for it on Google Earth, I would like to inform you that Dubai, a bit like Minnesota, is a state found in the United Arab Emirates in the Middle East and is not its own country.

2. Dubai is way to hot to go outside anytime:

It is true that the months between June and September can be considered a natural sauna, with daily temperatures rising over 104 degrees, and humidity drenching you in sweat as soon as you step outside. However, the remaining nine months hold comfortable temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees – the perfect temperature for outdoor adventures.

3. Everything is extremely expensive and you have to be rich to live there:

If you choose to, you could spend $10,000 on a drink in a designer bar, but wouldn’t you be able to do that anywhere in the world? Contrary to popular beliefs, common objects such as clothes, food, or cars are actually relatively cheaper. A full, authentic Thai meal can be found for around 40 AED ($10.85), a Forever 21 sweatshirt for less than 25 AED ($6.81), and a boat ride across the canal for only 1 AED ($0.27).

4. Women must be completely covered:

This is simply untrue. Yes, there are undoubtedly many women who do wear burkas, as is common in Muslim countries, but a liberal dress code is widely accepted. Many are content with shorts and t-shirts to battle the heat, and longer pants or jeans are quite popular for visiting indoor places. Like anywhere else, the dress code is just common sense.

5.  Fast food restaurants in Dubai can’t be found or are extremely scarce:

This couldn’t be more wrong. With over sixty McDonalds, countless KFC’s, and numerous Subways, there is no lack of greasy burgers or a two-minute pizza in this Emirate state.