This October, Curtin University Dubai received 22 students and staff from its campus in Perth for a journey of discovering the UAE. I was privileged to welcome them and heard sighs of excitement and felt the sense of expectation from our travellers even after an eleven-hour overnight flight from Perth.
Our Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Evans, met the group on the first day and welcomed them to the Dubai campus and the UAE. Professor Evans provided the visitors with an overview of the program and some insights into living and travelling in the UAE. Professor Evans commented. “I was looking forward to meeting our inaugural study abroad group from Perth and was impressed by their preparedness for the tour and the thoughtfulness of their initial questioning.”
An extensive itinerary had been planned, with high caliber industry speakers, professional visits, classroom activities, and trips in Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi. Some of the activities included a desert safari. Of course, no visit to Dubai is complete without the Dubai Fountain show and enjoying the scenic views while cruising along Dubai Marina. The group also spent an informative day at Dubai EXPO2020 where strategies and future plans were shared by a number of industry experts.
Dr. Mahnaz Hall, Lecturer, and Head of Student Engagement who was accompanying the students shared, “Our study tour in the UAE was a great academic and cultural experience. The Dubai Campus staff made our stay extremely enjoyable by offering informative lectures and organizing relevant industry visits. The students also appreciated the extracurricular activities as they could immerse themselves in the UAE’s diverse culture. Their excitement was endless each evening as they decided to venture out to their chosen destination amongst the many offered in Dubai.”
As the group departed to the airport after their final dinner in Dubai, there was a sense of fulfilment and happiness in the knowledge that had been gained during their time in the UAE.
