We Could All Learn from the UAE
Just this past May, I traveled on an almost 16-hour flight from San Francisco to Dubai with 11 other USF students and one of my favorite professors I've ever had. The journey was rough, the climate was hot but the experience was, to say the least, unforgettable.
We met with over 20 companies, ranging from luxury hotels to government agencies to aviation headquarters. We really got a taste for how business is conducted in the UAE, for the most part, and the way that the government really pushes all types of innovations and encourages its people to grow and bring value to their home country. This fact is noticeable not the minute you step off the plane but the minute you step on. Emirates is the only airline that provides daily flights from SFO to DXB, the world's busiest international hub. And not only have they built the airport to the title it currently holds, but they stand proud as one of the most luxurious and customer-driven airlines.
They provide warm and cool towels upon embarking and departing the plane. They have vegetarian, vegan, and kosher meal options. They have an extensive entertainment system with live TV and movies ranging from Hollywood to Bollywood. And these are the amenities for Economy passengers. Business Class has access to an in-the-sky bar lounge and First Class can even reserve shower time so they can disembark feeling fresh and clean.
However, one of the most noticeable things about the country is not their famous airline or luxurious skyscrapers, but rather is the amount of foreigners that live within the country. In reality, the demographics of Dubai and many other emirates is made up of mostly expatriates. They have identified the UAE as a haven where they can compete and work on a global landscape, where otherwise they might not have been able to. Throughout our travels we encountered residents originating from the United States, Canada, Europe, East Asia, India and many other countries. In fact, we had the pleasure of dining with an alumni of USF who traveled on this same Academic Global Immersion and hear his experience and what drew him to the UAE to work after graduation.
The truth is that many people have been convinced that most of the Middle East is barren land and only good for drilling oil and shipping it out. But, it is quite the opposite. Global companies have set up headquarters in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, hospitality has taken liking to the country as well (Dubai is home to the only 7-star hotel in the world), and aviation is one of their strong suits. The reality is that, even though the UAE is less than 50 years old, it has served them in one way or another because they entered a phase of rapid growth. With new technologies and a more connected world, it was much easier for the country to build from the ground up than it would have been in years past. And the fact that their government is fully supportive of innovative business ventures and progress, only reinforces the UAE as a land of opportunity.
It was definitely even more apparent when we were given the opportunity to sit down with Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the Minister for Youth, Culture and Social Development. He flew by helicopter for a 30-minute chat and coffee. He would only receive us in his residence in Abu Dhabi, as is custom of Islamic hospitality and a sign of respect for your guests. Though the chat was short and not all of us had the opportunity to speak directly with him, the experience was something that very few people get to experience in their lifetime. On top of that, he made sure to emphasize that the UAE has always been tolerant of people hailing from different countries and religions and continue to push for equal treatment and innovation in all types of industries.
We got to learn and see firsthand the innovation that the government is striving to reach while visiting the offices that are planning for the Dubai World Expo 2020. The World Expo is an international exhibition designed to showcase the achievements of countries around the world. In the past, these types of fairs take place but don't end up having long-lasting effects and the facilities usually end up being torn down. But, Dubai has really focused on sustainability and see this as an investment opportunity for their country. By the year 2020, they will build quasi-city between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Initially, it will be used as the location for the World Expo. But, it will continue to be in existence after the event takes place. The facility will be mainly powered by solar energy and buildings will be converted into museums, learning facilities and a metro station will be added as well. Dubai is not focused on pumping out a world expo for the sake of hosting it itself, but actually wants to see new developments and a pattern of sustainability that will continue throughout generations.
The truth is that the lure of the UAE is not easy to identify from afar; but once introduced, it seems very hard to pull away from it. Especially during this time of political tension in the US and England, the inclusivity of the people and political stability is something that is becoming rarer by the day. The UAE is a global center for business, fashion, technology and a various other industries. many other countries, at least in my opinion, should follow suit and invest in their country and people for the sake of seeing a brighter and more sustainable future.