Andrea Moreno

Hey class! I am finally back home in Miami and still daydreaming of our Dubai experiences. I have been talking nonstop about how much I learned during the course of this trip as well as my desire to return to the city. Our Atlantis presentation was easily one of my favorites, not only because of the beautiful grounds the hotel sits on but also because of the time the recruiting director and FIU alumni spent with us, giving their undivided attention and advice for our future. I learned about Kerzner’s exclusive portfolio and high-end luxury properties as well as what they are looking for in an employee. We also got an inside scoop on Atlantis’ phase 2 project (pictured above), which will be near their resort on the Palm Island and catering to exclusive residences. This educational experience helped me understand what I need to work on for my future interviews and what luxury hotel companies are looking for in an employee.

The most fun attraction for me was definitely Ski Dubai! I shared so many laughs (and screams) with my classmates, which was a fun way to let the children in all of us loose! It was so very cold, especially for me since I have never been in snow, but once the fun started rolling I (almost) forgot all about it 🙂 We enjoyed tubing many times over while there and also had a roll down an ice hill in a bubble ball! We captured many videos which I find myself enjoying now that I am home. I wish I knew how to ski to enjoy that option as well, but I chickened out when I saw how steep the slope was! One of our classmates really enjoyed the skiing adventure so I would surely recommend it to anyone looking to do it.

My cultural knowledge has grown extensively in this short amount of time as well as my global citizenship. I feel closer to the foreign friends I have made both in Dubai as well as my classmates from the trip. I look forward to reuniting with all of them in due time and plan to keep in touch until then.

Overall, this trip was one for the books with everything we experienced and all the incredible opportunities we were afforded. FIU, Dr. Kitterlin, Ms. Fagnan and Arabian Adventures did an excellent job at accomodating such a large group of students from the minute we arrived until we were back safe in Miami. The hotel accomodations surpassed my expectations as well as the attentiveness of our guides and professors. If I wasn’t graduating this Spring semester I’d join in another study abroad in a heartbeat! I hope this post helps encourage any student comtemplating a study abroad program, so if you are reading this hurry and sign up! A huge educational adventure awaits you!

Best Wishes,

Andrea Moreno

Hey guys! I can’t believe the trip is already halfway through! It has been an incredibly wonderful learning experience. I really have been enjoying every minute we have been here from the culture to the food and the people. Our Dubai Museum educational visit really helped me learn more about the history of this city, their culture, and the people. I got to see how settlement began here in the small villages and forts with only trade, fishing, and pearl diving as the main economy. In time, Dubai was forced to search for an alternative income because of the invention of artificial pearls and that is when Sheikh Saeed helped develop the country into the global city we now recognize.

One of my favorite attractions so far has to be the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa. The structure is truly mesmerizing and can be seen from almost any point in the city. It gleams like the ocean when the sun hits it and once inside you can see as far as the World Islands on a clear day — and luckily for us it was very clear. The building measures 2,722 ft and houses the world’s fastest elevators, reaching the observation deck on the 124th floor in 60 seconds. It is also home to the world highest restaurant, nightclub, and prayer room, and has also broken numerous other records.

This experience has definitely opened my eyes to cultures I had very little knowledge about and has better helped me understand Middle Eastern customs as well as their form of doing business. Meeting with successful people in the industry has given me an inside look at what it takes to reach the top. I have also gained global citizenship skills and awareness through these experiences by immersing myself in the country and interacting with the people of Dubai. I look forward to continuing my trip and can’t wait to check back in with more details!

All the best,
Andrea M.

I am so incredibly excited to be visiting Dubai, known as the major business hub of the Middle East! It’s certainly a city of many luxuries, and I look forward to enjoying as well as gaining extensive knowledge of their culture and business world.

We will be visiting numerous sites such as the World Expo 2020 Dubai which is the first time the Expo will be held in the Middle East. The theme for Dubai’s Expo is Connecting Minds, Creating the Future which is about the spirit of partnership and innovation of the future. We will also be experiencing L’altelier des Chefs of Dubai with our class which is so thrilling to think about. This activity is a great way to build ourselves as an FIU team as well as hone my skills in the kitchen (the very few I have lol).

I look forward to the Snow Park at Ski Dubai because I have never experienced snow before and I truly can’t believe my first experience will be in a mall in the middle of a desert, I mean pretty crazy! I also expect to see little penguins running around and hopefully I get to hug one. Also, I am thrilled  about the Desert Safari and Dinner Show which I’ve heard is such a lovely experience and I can’t wait for the camels! If you didn’t already notice I love animals.

The itinerary looks so very full of adventures and learning experiences I’ve always dreamed of! This trip will enhance my global citizenship by offering a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience in an incredibly short amount of time. It’s one of my favorite things to immerse myself in new cultures and I truly can’t wait for what Dubai has in store!

Until Next Time,

Andrea M.