Since getting to Qatar, my initial impression of the country is the greatly impressive nature of the culture, architecture, and people. In just the first few days of being here, I’ve learned quite a bit about how religion and culture tie into the narrative of Qatar, and how someone from the Western World (like me) could see such a big difference between lifestyles.
One of the first things that stood out in Qatar after being there for a few days was how the day-to-day for a Qatari was. We as a group learned that one of the few very important things in the culture was food and people, and how nightlife was especially lively, compared to the daytime where streets were mostly empty and quiet. I also expected the people to be mostly Qatari, but this was not the case when first arrived. A lot of immigrants in the country (known as Expatriates), worked in the country, and almost everyone spoke almost fluent English.
The sheer wealth in the country was also surprising; In just a few short days of being here, it can be inferred that with the massive stadiums built for the FIFA World Cup, the decked-out malls with luxurious shops, and the architectural marvels of downtown Doha, were all very interesting to see how Qatari wealth is spread.
I was also interested in the history and politics of the Qatari government as well. I learned a lot about how the government was in sole power with the Emir of Qatar, and how it resembled a royal family in that regard. It is very different from the democracy we have in the States.
I hope to gain more valuable knowledge during the trip since I have learned something new every day. I am excited to participate in the rest of the trip’s activities, including an overnight desert trip, exploring outside of Doha, and learning how Qatari businesses run with our company visits. It has been a very eye-opening few days here in Doha, Qatar, and looking forward to coming back home with an unforgettable experience as well as a better worldview overall.
