A Malaysian in Dubai Hult Blog

When I decided to rotate to Dubai from the London campus, my first thought was this: at least there will be sun! Indeed, it was all sun—and sand, too. On all the days we could, fellow students and I explored the city—the malls, the dessert, the souks, the marina, the beaches, and even the water parks. Though our weekdays days were packed with electives for Module D, my housemates and I still managed to continue learning about the people and rich culture in our new city. Or, perhaps I should say, a luxurious city that features the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa. Dubai fascinated me, and my experience convinced me that it is an easy and fun city in which to live. Here are my top eight observations of living in Dubai: 1)  Ã‚  Ã‚  It is a truly culturally diverse city. Dubai is filled with many expats and tourists from all over the world. It was not unusual to see Emirati walking down the street in Abayas and Kanduras, alongside visitors wearing shorts and t-shirts. Abu Dhabi on the other hand, which is not that far away (about an hour and a half) is a more traditional city, and is not to be missed. Some of the sites to see include Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld Park, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, and the Emirates Palace—they  made my weekends. 2) The main language is Arabic, but everyone speaks English. Communication was not a challenge, and I could easily get my daily routine done. Making the attempt to speak a few Arabic words is great, too. Some phrases I picked up are: â€Å"shukran†, which is â€Å"thank you†; â€Å"khalas†, which means â€Å"It is done, no problem!† One of my favourites was â€Å"yalla, yalla†, which is â€Å"Come on lets go! Quickly!† And I often used the greeting â€Å"Assalamua’laykum†, instead of saying â€Å"hello†.   The locals appreciate these efforts. 3) Public transportation is convenient. Travelling in the city via taxis and the Metro was easy and inexpensive, although Metro service is limited to the more popular areas of the city. Taxis are easy to catch and cheap to use. Converting rates into pounds, I never paid more than 10GBP ($17 USD). As a student, that is a total win! I can’t forget to add that women have their own designated compartments on the Metro, and in taxis. It isn’t unusual for men and women to have separate areas in places like spas, hair salons, and gyms. 4) There are ample restaurant/eating choices. My personal favorites were located near the school, such as the Italian restaurant Oregano, of which my classmates and I couldn’t get enough! Subway, Dominos, a French bakery, a German kebab and Japanese/Thai/Korean restaurant are all situated right in front of the Hult campus. As a Muslim, it was very convenient to eat because I had easy access to Halal food—food that is permitted by Islamic dietary guidelines.  I was able to eat a decent meal for AED45, either a bowl of rice or a Subway sandwich for AED28, and that’s roughly GBP7 and GBP4, respectively. 5) Clothing restrictions are not a big issue. Certainly no one is wearing their swimwear anywhere other than the beaches, but there were no major constraints in terms of what my housemates and I wore as we explored the city. Although wearing a shirt and long jeans or pants are appreciated, it is still acceptable to wear shorts in the malls. 6) Dubai residents—from natives to long-term expats—were very welcoming. If you’ve never studied in, or visited the Middle East, it’s understandable that you may have perceptions about the region, but try not to let them cloud your judgment.   In stores, taxis, and souks, most people are friendly and intrigued to get to know visitors to the city. Say hello to everyone and anyone. The city has an â€Å"open vibe†; people are open to learning about you and providing a helping hand if you need one. 7) The weekend is composed of Fridays and Saturdays, not Saturdays and Sunday. Even though we had classes Sunday evenings, I always felt like I had an extra day; we would fill our Sundays with outings during the day—and still managed to get a lot of work done. 8) Dubai weather is HOT. It’s unlike any â€Å"hot† I have ever known. But fret not; there are days when the warm weather is not so extreme, and plenty of buildings everywhere provide cover. Well, I should say that while I would run for the shade, some of my friends welcomed the opportunity to go sun bathing at the beach. Of course I can’t leave out all the glitz and glamour. It was fun to see all the Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Rolls Royces rolling through the streets every few minutes. In fact, I became so used to it that there came a point where I wasn’t surprised at all to spot a luxury car. While the lives of some are lavish, Dubai is still an affordable city.  All in all, my expenses living in Dubai City were similar, or slightly less than my living expenses in London, where I spent my first three modules.   I got to live and study in Dubai for six weeks, and at the end of it, I found my experience bittersweet: too much fun in a very short amount of time. It was an invaluable experience getting to know another culture, being respectful of certain differences, all while still feeling comfortable as a foreigner. I wish I could have stayed for another Module, but now I am exploring and studying in a new city: San Francisco. And that my friends, is another story! If you would like to find out more about Hult’s global business programs,  download a brochure here. Kickstart your career in a state-of-the-art innovation hub by studying at Hults Dubai business school. To find out more, take a look at our blog Dubai entrepreneur makes cosmetic change to career path. Download a brochure or get in touch today to find out how Hult can help you to learn about the business world, the future, and yourself. Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021 Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021"> During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . Happy New Year, Hultians! . Happy New Year, Hultians! .