After two weeks I have a greater understanding of the people and places within Qatar. I have gotten to witness a place that brings together many nationalities, religions, and cultures, in a peaceful inviting manner; and I would encourage anyone who has the opportunity to travel to Texas A&M at Qatar.
Having the opportunity to study the Qatari culture while being immersed in the same culture created a unique opportunity to develop my ability to understand and cater to a culture far different than my own, especially in business affairs. I feel that this trip has given me the ability to navigate the culture of the Gulf States, both in a professional setting and in day-to-day interactions. Walking into this trip I did not think I needed to expand my ?cultural intelligence?, but like most, I had my own projections of the middle east ? even if I subconsciously create them. This trip has challenged my thinking and ultimately changed me. My lens of the world is not the only one and certainly not the ?right? one. Succinctly, the biggest lesson I learned in my time in Qatar, is that to be a successful businessperson, one must continually adapt to changes in geographic location, and social climate, becoming willing to be challenged and not stuck on ?how you?re supposed to do it.?
Now, if you find yourself in Qatar and are not exactly sure what to do, here are my ?Top 5 You Can?t-Miss? activities. First, sailing the Persian Gulf from a historical Dhow boat. I got to swim in the salty sea and see a breathtaking view of Doha and its surrounding suburbs. Speaking of burbs, you must get up to Lusail to see Qetaifan Island at night. There you will see views of the modern city coined ?Qatar?s Future City?. And if you happen upon it on New Year?s Eve you will be met with an insane firework show commigrating the new year, even though it is a holiday not often celebrated here due to the dependence on the Lunar Calendar. Third, you need to pop into the National Museum of Qatar, the building is architecturally inspired by a gem in the desert, the desert rose. This massive monochrome museum holds 11 exhibits filled with a distant and near history of the country. I would advise you to not purchase your keepsakes here, as the prices are insane. If you are on the lookout for keepsakes, you must head to the Souq Waqif. The ?Souq? was historically a gathering place for the Bedouins, merchants, and coastal people of Qatar to trade goods. Now it is filled with hundreds of small stores, all selling basically sell the same thing, however, strolling and looking at the diverse selection of food, clothing, and trinkets is an experience unlike you will find in the US. Although this is the place that felt most like a tourist trap to me, it had an almost romantic effect on me. The mixture of cultures and the crowded market created a place I couldn?t stay away from. Finally, you must head out of the city into the desert for Dune Bashing. As Graham, a fellow student on the trip noted, Six Flags does not even compare. Not only do you get to have an adrenaline-filled ride, but you also get to see closely what the majority of what the country looks like ? miles and miles of sand in a striped northwest and southeast pattern. This along with the many other opportunities available, you will have an unforgettable trip just as I had.
