For weeks, I had spent plenty of time trying to envision how the student body might look like amidst our unique campus. Now, I have a glimpse. With a 2nd week, there is much to learn from our diverse student body. From the conversations I have had thus far, this is bound to be an amazing year. They are probably inundated and tired of being asked the questions “How did you hear about NYUAD?” “Where are you from?” “How do you pronounce your name again?”
From what I have learned, going to NYUAD is one of the only opportunities students have had to leave their home towns and make a difference in their communities. I have a great deal to learn from them and as a professional I think I will face different types of challenges based on what I have seen from the personalities of the students. This is partially due to working in a startup institution, as well as adjusting to UAE culture and laws.
Here is my 3 step plan in adjusting this semester:
1)
First
initial lessons will entail taking time to understand and learn about different
cultures. As staff members, we are expected to provide an environment that
supports religious, cultural and personal beliefs. For example some of our
residential floors are listed as non-visitation and visitation.
I know for some cultures, it is imperative
to separate genders within living quarters. In addition for Emirate women, this
gives them the freedom to occupy their floors without having to wear an Abaya (if they choose). In addition, parents are never permitted
on the residential floors. If siblings visit, they must stay in rooms with the
same gender.
2)
Taking
time to travel locally and around the surrounding regions; planning to take advantage of cheap flights
and adding few countries on my wish list.
3)
I
have also signed up for Conversational Arabic, which begins this week. I am
hoping to walk away with a decent vocabulary; however, from what I have been
told from adults and students, Arabic is a tough language to grasp. Last year,
2 people were left in the class at the end of the semester.
And yes the textbook opens to the right…my first ah ha moment.
Each week I will try to add a few tips/
phrases.
What I have learned:
-4
Vernaculars of Arabic: Gulf, Levantine, Egyptian, and North African
-There
are 28 letters in the Arabic alphabet and 14 signs to represent vowels and consonants.
-Everything
is spelled out phonetically. Also the letter P does not exist in Arabic. Often
times in translation, that sound is replaced with a B.
-My
name is (your name) and I’m from(city) in (country)
In
Arabic: Ana Audrey min New York fi Amriika.
Moving
on up
As
of Sunday, I was able to move into an office….my own enclosed space on the same
floor as my supervisor and other staff members in Campus Life.
Bitter
sweet leaving the office environment I had finally become accustomed to over
the past few weeks. Now I am into a new space, with similar coworkers except I
have my own space and room for privacy when holding meetings. My next mission
is to decorate it and add a bit of personal flair.
BONUS THIS WEEK:
All
the nail salons are exclusive according to gender. The few I have tried have definitely
had their own style. By far this was the most hilarious:
Also
while shopping at Home Centre, I found this carpet which was meant for me.
Burgundy
and beige- my ideal colors. It even had my name!!!
Since
my bedroom walls already have burgundy and beige, there was no need to purchase
my namesake. I have to draw the line somewhere.
Now
for our first year students, we had our Welcome/Marhaba Week. Here are some
pictures from our high temperature adventure to Dubai:
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| Water taxi experience on Dubai Creek |
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| We noticed most drivers steered these taxis with their feet |
 |
| With some of our students |
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| Entrance to the Burj Khalifa |
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| Looking through the telescope to see what floor we were going to be eventually reach |
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| About the Burj Khalifa |
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| View around the Burj Khalifa on the 124 floor. |
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| We were told that around Jan-Mar the view is absolutely dust and fog free for a better view. |
NEXT WEEK: We see what events evolve as we conquer week 3 of the academic year. The weather is getting better and more chances to actually walk around without drastic heat :)
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