The UAE first impressed me as an expensive international global destination. It was clear from the moment we arrived that tourism is important to the country. The cities maintain a strong sense of cultural identity while feeling modern, well-organized, and designed to welcome visitors from all over the world. We spent the first week of the program in Abu Dhabi, which felt more organized and cleaner than I had anticipated. Visiting the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the biggest mosque in the UAE, was one of the most unforgettable experiences. Seeing it firsthand hit home how important religion and traditional are to everyday life. The mosque felt more like a place of prayer than just a tourist visit because of its beauty, details, and atmosphere. We also went to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, which was interesting because it combined local culture with world history. The way that art from all across the world was linked by common themes and storylines was amazing. We also went to Abu Dhabi University, and I was impressed by the university’s focus on engineering and aviation. This shows how much the UAE is spending on innovation and developing industries. The university’s separate gym for women, which show how cultural and religious beliefs are integrated into campus life while still meeting student needs, was something I truly valued. The visit to the Abu Dhabi Investment Office was insightful as a business student. Their objective is to work with businesses and support their expansion within the UAE, instead of asking other companies to invest in them. Also, I thought it’s amazing how they fund community part of the projects is the children. We went to visit the Falcon Hospital, and it was interesting to see that falcons are valued as more than just animals in Emirati culture. I think that the UAE’s culture and religion are really interesting and how they affect daily life and business through this study aboard experience. The UAE emphasizes respect, tradition, and community more than the US, where culture can be faster and more independent.
