After seeing all the many things Qatar has to offer, I realized I was wrong. Not everything is quite luxurious; even though many buildings and establishments seem to be very luxurious, there is more to it. The Qataris carry their culture with them everywhere in their traditions and how they dress. Although, their culture may not be as old as many other developed countries, they still have their unique touch that makes them different. Furthermore, after visiting many companies and asking questions about their culture and how it is formed, I noticed one thing in common and that was: diverse people. Every business had employees from many different backgrounds who are all unified under their company. Although the majority of employees are expatriates in some shape or form, the CEO of every company based in Qatar is Qatari. What an interesting way to make sure your country is still running business through the people of your country. My time abroad, has definitely helped me have a better understanding of the Middle East in a way and their way of life. I see their culture in a new light and I have even grown to love some of their customs and traditions. I think my favorite part of their culture was the Karak tea. It may sound like an odd name, but the tea tastes truly magical. The combination of black tea, milk and spices form something so unique that is so flavorful. Things like that make experiencing another culture very cool because you get to learn more and live almost like they would. Also, something pretty unique to Qatar was their cultural market; it was structured like a flea market but hidden in the alleyways. It truly felt like I was in an Arabic movie with all kinds of trinkets around. I found lots of cool things there and I learned about what was considered local there. Overall, this study abroad was a wonderful experience that I recommend to all!
