As my time in Qatar comes to an end, I have had time to not only reflect on the last couple of weeks and my overall experience, but also on how I myself have changed throughout the duration of this incredible journey. It certainly goes without saying that I am not the same person I was two weeks ago before I embarked on this trip, and therefore I have been able to not only learn more about my personal goals and my life in general but also more about how people interact and the continued importance of what it means to truly venture out and see what the world has to offer.
In my previous post, I discussed my overall first impressions of my first week or so in Qatar, where I touched on points such as the misconceptions I had before arriving, and how I had been concerned about how I was going to be treated by locals. I quickly found out that this concern was merely all in my head as I have been treated with kindness and respect in every aspect of the trip, whether it?s the serving staff at our group?s favorite restaurant, Food N Drink, or the greetings I am given each time I enter our hotel. I also included a discussion of the importance of culture in Qatar, which has only displayed itself on a larger scale throughout this past week with multiple visits to the Souq Waqif, and a tour of the Qatar National Museum which discussed the historical and cultural impact that has shaped Qatar into what we see today. With all of this in mind, I have kept many of the same impressions that I had upon staying in Qatar for a week, and have been able to continue with the same passion to discover more about the culture and how it continues to shape Qatari society.
When it comes to the experiences I have had in the past couple of weeks, there are five places that have stuck out most to me, whether it?s because of their cultural significance, or simply the overall impact they have had on me. The first of these experiences include the restaurant, Food N Drink, which has allowed me to get a better idea of the cuisine here in Qatar as they have various dishes that are superb such as their chicken masala, and their chicken biryani which gives me an idea of how their culture is represented through the dishes they serve. The second includes the Souq Waqif where I have had various adventures, whether that includes walking through an area populated by various types of birds, or enjoying Lebanese cuisine with friends. The third would be the trip my group took to the desert where we got to ride ATVs through the sand and enjoy a thrilling dune-bashing experience that was thoroughly enjoyable. The fourth would be the Dhow Cruise experience that our group had, where we got to get on a traditional Dhow boat and sail out from shore in order to swim and gain a new perspective of the city of Doha in the night sky. Finally, the fifth would be the Place Vend?me, where our group spent many hours looking throughout the shops as well as witnessing various forms of light shows with the fountains displayed in the center of the mall.
When it comes to the lessons I have learned in the past two weeks, the main one that I keep coming back to is of the idea of keeping an open mind about the world, and understanding that even though certain instances may not make sense to me, it might be crystal clear to someone who has been in a different environment than me throughout their life. I have found that not only do I look at the world differently now, I also have a different outlook on people and the way that we interact on a daily basis as I have learned more about the importance of culture and unification throughout this trip. I have also learned to not judge a book by its cover when it comes to various countries and the way that they are portrayed through American media and whether or not everything I see and hear in the news relates directly to the overall position that a country, such as Qatar, takes when it comes to foreign affairs and their diplomatic involvements, especially with the United States. Overall, this trip has allowed me to get a better idea of what international business truly looks like, whether that’s through the various company trips we took such as that of Hassad Foods and Baladna, or through the ideas and commonalities between business leaders that have been displayed in various forms and specifically throughout the marketing techniques and overall display of the FIFA World Cup influence that continues to shine bright throughout the whole country. I have learned a great deal about what it means to go abroad and experience new ideals that will allow me to grow in my career after school and create a better environment for not only myself but those around me as well.
A big thank you to CIBS, Dr. McFarland, and Stephanie Martinez who have allowed myself and the group to have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that we will cherish and carry with us throughout all we do. It has truly made an impact on all of us and I can confidently say that we have all gained a great deal from it as we continue throughout school, and carry new ideas and experiences to the classroom, and eventually the workplace.
