CIBS Entry #2
During my time in Qatar I was able to learn more about new methods of conducting business. Since there is an Amir who in the simplest form, runs the government, the economy is very different from America. Each business that we met with revolved around the business plan of creating a monopoly. I did not hear a plan to work on various facets of the business, improve, claim segments of the market and grow with competition. I was able to learn that relationships you held and how much power the people you knew had was crucial to your success as a business. Throughout interactions with various people in Qatar, I was able to learn more about the strive to withhold the value of a Qatari citizen. In a country of 2.7million people only 250,000 are Qatari nationals which is roughly 9.3%. This is apparent when taking a mere walk through the market, one is able to see a melting pot of cultures, nationalities, and ideals from across the world coming together to make a community. When you start to dive into the monetary and economic side of the system one is able to distinguish the separation of power and division of funds across nationalities with a heavy focus on Qatari nationals.
Later in the trip, we had the opportunity to meet and spend time with some of the students at TAMUQ. Through conversing with them we were able to gain a richer understanding of Islam, their culture, and country. We started to draw ties across Islam and Christianity, understand the nuances and true believes, morals, and principles of the religion. We also talked about how the east views the west and how the west views the east. These conversations were eye opening and insightful which lead to a greater understanding of other’s views and a deeper understanding of the source of conflicts within the world.