Part 3: Unforgettable Journey

Assalamualaikum everyone, this is the last part of the UAE series.

In this blog, I will share with you the bittersweet end of my journey from Day 6 to 8, the days leading up to my departure from the program and my return to Malaysia.

Day 6, 17 March

The closing ceremony was a day of mixed emotions. It marked the end of our program, and everyone would soon leave for their respective countries. It was a day of joy as we all had the chance to reflect on the experience we had over the past few days, but it was also a day of sadness as we realized that we would be saying goodbye to each other soon.

The speech ceremony was the highlight of the day. Every representative from each university had the opportunity to take the stage and share their experience and review the program. As the moment approached, my heart was filled with emotions. I remember writing down my experience on paper, trying to hold back my tears, but it seemed like it was no use.

When it was finally my turn to speak, I could not hold back my tears. It was hard to say goodbye to people that I had grown so close to over the past few days. I could not control my emotions as I spoke. But as I looked around, I saw the faces of all my new friends, who were cheering me on. They gave me the strength to continue with my speech and share my experience with everyone.

As I spoke, I mentioned quite a few names of my friends, Hira and Haleema. Alhamdulillah, but somehow, I managed to deliver my closing speech with a red face, signalling the tears that had fallen.

After that, we had a voting session for the best volunteer and participants according to a few categories. The room was filled with excitement and anticipation. However, I was in the process of calming myself down, when suddenly I heard Shi Yi saying to Mohamed "I couldn't believe that you won the award for the Most Reliable Volunteer", and then Mohamed just make me laugh with his reply "Where's yours?" to Shi Yi as she didn't receive the award yet. Haha, I was like chuckling while thinking "Wow, that savage!". Allah!

After the awards ceremony, we all gathered together for a group photo. As we hugged each other tightly, I couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness knowing that our time together was coming to an end. But the day wasn't over yet, as we were allowed to visit the Renewable Energy Lab of UAEU. It was a fascinating experience as we toured the Department of Integrative Agriculture, where we learned about aquaculture fish. It was amazing to see how our knowledge from our respective fields could be applied in such innovative ways. It was relatable to me as I am a Biotechnology student.

 

However, their aquaculture setup was bigger than my college. Therefore, it was interesting to walk around while learning more. The greenhouse was massive, and the ecosystem inside it was awe-inspiring. They practice aquaponics where they cultured tilapia fishes, and then filtered the water and used it to grow wheat and tomatoes. The greenhouse has the whole ecosystem inside it.

      

In case you are wondering know how aquaponics work, you may refer to the picture below:-

They have cultured plants using a similar concept.

Next, hold onto your hats, folks, because this part of my journey in UAE was nothing short of exciting! After the Friday prayer, we set off to Dubai which was a two-hour journey.  As we drove, I was bored sitting behind as everyone around me was asleep. Therefore, I walked to the front, only to find Hira and her friend talking about shopping and "Haggling".Haggling is like manipulating the seller to sell a product for a cheaper price. This practice is very common in Desi and Arab households and I knew I had to try it out for myself.

However, the really exciting moment was when we saw a glimpse of Burj Khalifa from far in the bus when we were discussing Burj Khalifa and how it would be hard to observe it from Global Village. It was apparent that Burj Khalifa is indeed the tallest building compared to the nearby buildings. 

As we arrived at Global Village, the sights and sounds continued to amaze me, with different sections for various cultures, representing everything from food to souvenirs. When we walked into the Global Village, Maryam surprised me by telling me that she had prepared a souvenir for me, which I treasured and kept with me until now. She is indeed a sweetheart!

 

And let's not forget the impressive haggling skills of Mshary, Humaid, and Salman, who managed to haggle and buy a product with a 40-50% discount! The funniest part was Salman being excited and exclaiming to everyone that he managed to get a huge discount for a pair of clothes in front of the seller. The seller was shy because of him. Hahah. We had our last dinner together at the Al Romansiah restaurant. I couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness knowing that our time in UAE was quickly coming to an end.

After our meal, Haleema, Hira, and her friend talked about checking out some abayas, but the prices were exorbitant (expensive) compared to what they should be. The souvenirs were also priced sky-high. When we returned to the buses, it was time for the Sri Lankans to leave, and saying goodbye was difficult. I didn't want to cry in front of them and make them feel worse, so I tried to hold it in. But as I watched them waiting with their bags, my tears started flowing, and I had to move to the back of the bus to hide them. Cris noticed and asked why I was crying, but I couldn't explain. I distracted myself by listening to Salman's haggling tips, which were quite entertaining. I have seen people haggling before but it was my first time, for someone to give exact tips to haggle. Later, I joined Fatima and we talked about our backgrounds and shared stories. We even talked about the celebrity that I saw at Global Village, Archana Gautam. Haha!

When we arrived at the hotel, we said goodbye to everyone, and hug each other. It was saying goodbye to Haleema, Hira and Hassan at that time, but we have to!

Day 7, 18 March

Today was a rollercoaster of emotions - I woke up wanting to stay in my room and just explore Al-Ain today. This is because I wanted to avoid joining the others who will be going back today via Dubai Airport, including the Saudis. However, I ended up joining the others on a trip to Dubai to see the Burj Khalifa. After leaving the hotel, we all headed to Dubai Airport together, but I was surprised to find out that the Saudis' flights were in the evening. 

This meant they would be able to join us for the Dubai metro ride. It was my first time riding the metro in Dubai, and the train was packed with people (it must have been during rush hour). Our destination was the Dubai Mall, but I was hesitant to go and questioned Cris about it. He compared it to Suria KLCC and Petronas Twin Tower and convinced me to go. 

 

As soon as we stepped out of the Dubai Mall, I was amazed by the stunning sight of Burj Khalifa. We took some photos before grabbing some food at the mall's enormous food court. 

 

After lunch, we headed to the Bur Dubai metro station. Little did I know that the same train we boarded to go to Bur Dubai would also carry the Saudis directly to the airport. It was a sudden realization that hit me hard. I couldn't hold back my tears as I bid farewell to them. They were one of the kindest, most friendly and gentle people I have ever met. 

 

However, once we exited from the Bur Dubai station, we saw a huge souvenir store in front of us. I guess it's true what they say about shopping makes you feel better, because I bought a lot of souvenirs there (not just for myself, but for my family too). After that, we went to Al-Seef to see the old Dubai. The place was very picturesque and beautiful. From the bridge in Al-Seef, you can witness the combination of old and new buildings that symbolize the progress of the UAE over the years. Next, we headed to the nearby bus station called Al-Ghubaiba, where we could catch the bus back to Al-Ain. Amazingly, while we were walking to the station, we stopped at a clothes shop where I found a simple abaya that suited me in terms of size and height. I bought it as the price was acceptable. Finally, I had something for myself that would remind me of the UAE again.

Our experience at the bus station was full of surprises and challenges. Despite arriving early to avoid the long queue, we still had to be careful of people cutting in line. We were shocked to see a man taking money from a passenger to exchange seats with him. While Cris was infuriated, I explained that such scenes were not uncommon, and some people are skilled at making money from others' weaknesses.

P.S: The "view" in Al-Ghubaiba station

Despite the chaos, we managed to secure a spot on the bus and rushed back to the hotel. To our relief, the dining area was still open even though it was almost 11 pm. We sat down for dinner, silently reflecting on the day's events.

DAY 8, 19 March

As I packed and unpacked my bags, trying to fit in all the souvenirs and memories from my time in the UAE, I couldn't shake off the feeling of sadness that had settled in me. 

                                                        

To distract myself, I switched on the television and stumbled upon my favourite actor, Nakuul Mehta's show dubbed in Arabic. I couldn't help but burst out laughing at the sight of Mr. Kapoor played by Nakuul Sir, in a completely different language.

 

P.S: How Mr Kapoor sounds in the Arabic language

p.s: How Mr Kapoor sounds in real.

However, after checking out from the hotel, Cris and I engaged in a deep conversation about our journey and everything we had experienced, learned and felt during our stay in the UAE in the car. As we reflected on our time there, it dawned on me that I was leaving a different person than the one who arrived. Alhamdulillah, it had been a transformative experience.

Review: What have I learnt from these days?

1. Friendship is made from the heart. 
2. It is important for us to enjoy the moment, rather than worrying about what will happen. As worrying will only ruin the moment.
3. If you get a chance to express yourself, just grab the chance because if I have not stepped on the stage to share my feelings, I will always regret it. 
4. Grab every chance we get to learn something new.
5. Don't be shy to cry. Crying is not a sin.
6. Always grab a chance to say Goodbye even though its hard.
7. Explore, travel and learn about the country that we have travelled to.
8. UAE is truly inspiring in its approach to sustainability. It's heartening to see how a country has harnessed the power of the sun to promote renewable energy. From solar panels on buildings and ships to vast solar panels in the desert, the UAE has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and preserving our planet for future generations.

Let's try to identify the solar panels in each of the photos below:- 

  

 

Overall, this trip was an eye-opening experience for me, because it taught me about the importance of gaining knowledge not only for ourselves or our careers but for the world around us too. It is also important to know that it is not enough to acquire knowledge but also to use it for the betterment.

In addition, I believe travelling to different countries can be an excellent way to learn about how they are working towards sustainability, and I believe educational trips like this one are more effective than personal ones. When we travel in groups, we are exposed to the locals, new information, cultures, and a fusion of different expertise, which we might not get on solo trips.

I still remember how I was able to share my biotech knowledge when someone asked about aquaculture, and others shared their knowledge in architecture and engineering. It was a unique and rewarding experience to learn from each other. Finally, I have developed a deep affection for UAE, and if I ever have the opportunity to come here again, I will do so with an open heart, ready to learn and be inspired once more.

Credit:  I want to express my gratitude to my friends who shared their pictures with me and helped me remember the names of the places we visited. I also want to thank every single person who made my journey to UAE memorable. I also want to thank Google and more. Haha.

Alhamdulillah.

Part 2: I am loving Emirates.

Assalamualaikum! Welcome back to my series about my journey in UAE. Today, let's dive into the exciting highlights of Day 3 and Day 4.

Day 3 - 14 March 

This day was a rollercoaster ride of emotions - insightful, touching, sad, and most importantly, memorable. Let's get started! 

Have you ever had a case of mistaken identity? I certainly did when I first met my new friends, Humaid and Salman, before starting at UAEU. The day before we met, I saw them both wearing white thobes and assumed they were Emiratis too. Little did I know that they were actually Saudis, and the reason they were dressed in thobes was that it's a common attire in their culture too! Not only that, did you ever been in a situation where you thought you knew a language pretty well, only to find out that there's a whole different level of fluency you need to achieve? That's exactly what happened to me when I tried showing off my "basic" Arabic language knowledge to them.

At first, I thought I was doing pretty well with my Arabic, but it didn't take long for me to realize that there was so much more to the language than what I had learned in my textbooks. I got corrected a lot by Humaid and Salman, and while it was a humbling experience, it was also incredibly eye-opening. I learned that there's a difference between bookish Arabic and the way people actually speak in day-to-day life.

Next when we arrived UAEU, we began with a talk by Mrs Shaimah Rashid, the Minister of Climate Change and Environment, who cleared up a lot of our doubts about the country's sustainability efforts. She shared that UAE is working towards public transport in the future, even though it's a challenging task to change people's transportation options. We also learned that UAE is currently researching and working on biofuels and electric cars, which is fascinating to me, as the country is making remarkable efforts towards sustainability.

Next, Mrs Jacinta gave a fascinating talk about the Sustainable City in Dubai. This project is one of the coolest ones I've ever heard of, and it's quite similar to the Line in Saudi Arabia. The day before, we (Saudis and others) had a fascinating discussion about the Line project, which showed how a city could be made sustainable and efficient. 

Back to Mrs Jacinta's talk about the sustainable city. In the Sustainable City, residents won't need to leave for any necessities, such as businesses, villages, and institutions, as everything is available there. The architecture of the houses is also remarkable - they are designed in an L-shape, with highly insulated UV-reflective walls, and bifacial solar panels on the roof. The excess heat energy collected will be transferred to the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), making this a net-zero carbon innovation. This is truly amazing!

It's inspiring to see that UAE is making such remarkable strides towards sustainability and a better world for everyone. 

Next, I was completely captivated by the talks on the postgraduate courses offered at UAEU - it was like a glimpse into my future! Even though I'm not sure what the future holds for me, I couldn't help but feel excited at the possibility of furthering my studies in a country as beautiful and dynamic as the UAE.

And finally, the moment we had been waiting for arrived - a campus tour of UAEU! The beautiful campuses took my breath away - it was like entering a different world altogether. Each corner of the campus was more beautiful than the last, and the vastness of the campus was awe-inspiring. Although we had to travel by bus to get from one campus to another, it was all worth it just to experience the beauty of UAEU.

 

  

The UAEU campus didn't fail to amaze me! During our tour, we discovered something unique and intriguing - separate sections for male and female students. I found this to be a fascinating concept that I had never come across before. As we explored the libraries, which were also segregated, I was informed that at certain times, both male and female students are allowed to visit the opposite section to look for specific books. This practice seemed fair and showed how the university strives to provide equal opportunities for all students.

We were also amazed when we visited the AI lab at UAEU which was a one-of-a-kind experience. We were blown away by the sight of robots dancing on demand! What impressed me the most was that the students who programmed the robots were using parabolas and equations to control their movements. Finally, I got to see firsthand where all those equations I learned in school can be put to use!

   

But that's not all. Our visit also included a trip to the broadcasting studio and cultural centres. We got to witness how a studio operates and learned the intricate details of broadcasting. Plus, we explored other organizations within UAEU, including the Fashion, Mandarin, and Korean culture centres. All in all, it was an eye-opening experience that gave us a glimpse into the world of advanced technology and cultural diversity.

  

  

After our mini tour of UAEU, we went back to the hotel to get ready for an optional sports day. But things took a dramatic turn when I had to call Etihad Airlines to change my flight details. The call ended up lasting over an hour, and by the time I finished, it was already past the time for the bus to the sports event. While I was talking on the phone, Hassan and the other volunteers arrived, and I felt emotional as I realized I had to choose between ending the call or burdening others. But Hassan surprised me by saying he'd wait until I finished the call. Once I was done, I was so grateful and messaged him right away. This small act of kindness meant so much to me, as it's rare for someone to wait for me. Because some people just left me if I ever run late to go anywhere even though it was due to some unavoidable circumstances. Life!! 😕

I felt guilty for making everyone else (volunteers) and the bus driver wait, but once we arrived at the sports centre, we had a blast playing games like ping pong, basketball, badminton, and volleyball, and even popping balloons tied to each other's legs. The tug-of-war and sprint games were especially fun. 

  

I had an amazing time playing badminton with my Farah (new friend),  Mohamed, and Hassan. Then, we move on to the "popping the balloons" game. Hira and I teamed up to pop other people's balloons, but just as I was about to pop another player's balloon, someone came silently and ruthlessly burst mine. I was shocked and disappointed at that moment. 😂😂

Then, we played volleyball and passed the ball around. However, it was quite scary for me as they were tossing the ball higher from the ground. The most "palm-to-the-head" moment was when I accidentally hit the ball in the wrong direction and it flew toward Mohamed when he was doing something at the corner bench. But he was lucky enough as the ball passed him and hit someone else instead🙊🙊. I got taken aback, so I just ran to the guy and apologize to him. Since then, I got very careful while playing the game. 

Then, we showed our strength in tug-of-war and we won. Then, the sprint game was the highlight of the day for me, and I was thrilled to discover that I was among the fastest girls there. We also played the Red Light and Green Light, and I was loving this game.

It was such a fun day, and I was glad to have broken the "ice" with the other participants through sports. It's amazing how sports can bring people together and break the awkwardness. Haha.

Last but not least, as the program came to a close earlier than expected, I decided to head over to Sachini's room to chill. Little did I know that an astonishing revelation awaited me. As I entered her room, I immediately walked towards her window to the the stunning view outside her room. I couldn't believe my eyes - the mesmerizing lights that we'd been admiring all along were none other than the glittering skyline of Jabeel Hafeet. Wow! Such a small world 🌏.

Isn't it cool?

Day 4, 15 March

"Yallah" to the Abu Dhabi !!

Today, we went to Abu Dhabi. When we were going to our first destination in Abu Dhabi, I was very excited to see deserts in real life. I even had a talk with Azhar related to that last night while we were waiting for the bus to go back to the hotel. Therefore, when we were on the bus going to Abu Dhabi, I was about to sleep as it was quite silent there. But as soon as I was about to go to my "dream world", suddenly Azhar called me and ask me to look outside. As soon as I turned my face toward the scenery, I was amazed !!!

There were huge "mountains" of desert in front of me. MashaAllah, they were looking "Wow". I was amazed at the view that I got myself busy clicking pictures of the deserts that we pass through.

   

Our trip to Masdar City was mind-blowing! This smart city located near Dubai and Abu Dhabi is a blend of Arabic and modern technology that left me awestruck. The city has been designed with incredible knowledge and innovation. They have installed the traditional Arabic cooling system, Barjeel, which is capable of cooling the entire city. Moreover, the buildings are constructed in a way that the walkways are narrow, encouraging people to walk more without getting tired.

    

But that's not all! Each building is equipped with solar panels that collect solar energy to produce electricity. And the most fascinating part is that these solar panels not only provide shelter but also act as a roof to the people walking beneath them while still collecting energy. 

To top it off, they have electric vehicles stationed throughout the city, which can be used by visitors to move from one place to another, promoting sustainability and eco-friendliness. Masdar City truly showcases how technology and sustainability can coexist harmoniously.

 

One of the quotes that I found most touching was from the Late Sheikh Zayed.

After an incredible experience in Masdar City, we made our way to Sheikh Zayed Mosque, which was nothing short of breathtaking. Despite the strict security measures, we were able to witness some of the most stunning scenery, and designs that I have ever seen. As a nature lover, this mosque captured my heart and the scenery that day was simply perfect.

  

  

Our time at the mosque was unfortunately cut short due to our Cultural Night event, so we had to hurry back to Al-Ain. However, something incredible happened on the journey back. At a gas station stop, I overheard Hira and Haleema conversing in Urdu, and I asked them to confirm whether I really heard them speaking in Urdu. As soon as they nodded, I became excited and start talking with them in Urdu. I think I talked a lot that day in Urdu with them. TBH, it's always been a dream of mine to have a friend who's not from Pakistan but can speak Urdu. Seriously, if someone wants to impress me and be my "best buddy", just talk to me in Urdu. Haha.

When we arrived back at the hotel, we quickly got ready for the Cultural Night, but we hadn't prepared much for it, aside from creating some slides on our way to Abu Dhabi. Despite our lack of preparation, the presentation went exceptionally well, and the event continued until 2 am. It was an incredible end to an unforgettable day.

Day 5,  16 March

Today was a day full of new experiences and exciting adventures. I attended an Innovation Day camp with Mrs Nadine Saleh at the Blu Radisson Hotel. It was an enriching experience where we learned about confidence, entrepreneurship, and speaking skills. We even had the opportunity to come up with a business idea, and my team's idea was Imperfectly Perfect, an online store that promotes sustainability by selling imperfect-shaped fruits. We were thrilled to win the 2nd runner-up place.

During lunch, Haleema surprised us by taking us to Al-Jimi Mall for some shopping. While we were enjoying our meal, Mohamed joined us and started speaking/arguing in Arabic with Farah and Reem. However, I was amazed by their language skills and dreamt of one day being able to converse in Arabic as well. Weird me!

Then we went to al-Jimi mall where we bought souvenirs (I bought dates coated with chocolate). They are very tasty and I loved them. I remembered conversing with Hira and Haleema in Urdu, all the time. They became my friends too.

 

After shopping, we went to the "Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalid al Nahyan Cultural and Educational Institution" where we learned about Emirati Gahwa (coffee). It was a must-try beverage, and its sensational taste activated our taste buds. The coffee was made from roasted coffee beans, cardamom, saffron, and other ingredients that gave it a rich and strong taste. We also learned about the etiquette of serving coffee to guests, which varied across different Arab cultures. We were told that serving coffee to guests has its own etiquette where the lesser you pour coffee for someone, the more respectful it is. This is because you indirectly want the person to stay longer. However, Mohamed told me, in Egyptian culture, the more you pour coffee for someone, the better. It was nice to learn etiquette about the different cultures of Arabs.

   

We tasted Luqaimat and Zlabeia, two delicious Emirati sweets. There were sweet and freshly cooked which makes them taste even better.

  

We also learned about the Shamma Bint Mohamed Environmental Programme, which introduced a bus library and recycling initiatives to promote sustainability. 

As it was past sunset, the beautiful scenery at the location took on a whole new level of charm. I couldn't stop myself from snapping a few pictures. 

  

 

Then, after clicking some pics, I saw Salman, Humaid and Mohamed talking to one another. I joined them as I wanted to show them the clicked pictures, however, suddenly Mohamed asked me "How are you?". I wanted to reply to him in Arabic but suddenly my brain got confused to answer him so I asked Humaid to help me, and then I replied "Ana bi khayr" (I am fine). Haha. 

    Things get a little funnier when I told Mohamed that I am currently practising my Arabic and I do understand some of the words. He put me to the test when he suddenly said something hard in Arabic. Haha. I remembered answering him "Ana la afham (I don't understand. hahaha)". 

P.S: I learned this sentence especially to get me out of the situation if I didn't know what to reply. I really need to work on my Arabic before going to any Arabic country next time. haha.

Another wonderful experience that I had at a cultural institution was playing with the desert sand. As it was my dream to have a "touching" experience of desert sand. I always wonder what desert sand felt like.

   

When we arrived at the hotel, we were having our dinner in the dining area while discussing the plan to go to the Al-Ain gift market. Things get funnier when Cris and Salman were talking while eating because as we planned, we wanted to go out to Al-Ain after dinner. I got annoyed while waiting for them to finish because they were being late. Therefore, I just took Cris's phone and forced both Salman and Cris to eat. Suddenly, Cris complained to me that Salman was playing phone beneath the table (away from my sight). The funny thing that was said by Salman was "How did you know?" to Cris. I couldn't stop myself from laughing and I took Salman's phone too. After that, they both became good kids and starts eating silently and quickly (amazingly, they did!). We were laughing while eating and I was shocked at how these guys are patiently and nicely listening to me. My own brothers wouldn't listen to me. Haha. 

P.S.: This is me, recording them while laughing.

Before ending the night, we explored Al-Ain and decided to buy some souvenirs at the gift centre. However, our plans didn't go as expected when we ended up at Lotus Gift Market, which turned out to be a regular store. Stranded on Al-Ain Road with no idea where to go, we split into two groups to make the most of our time. 

Despite the inconvenience of waiting for a taxi for 30 minutes, we didn't let it dampen our spirits as we chatted and laughed with each other. As soon as we got a 7-seater car, we headed straight to the hotel, exhausted and looking forward to some rest. When we arrived at the hotel, we found out that the first group was still at the Al-Jimi gift market. While we waited for them in the lobby, I couldn't help but feel relieved and happy as we had some deep talks where we exchange views on certain topics, even though we didn't get to buy any gifts that night. It was an unforgettable experience that reminded us of being stranded in Al-Ain, teamwork and "Enjoying the moment".

That's all for Part 2.

InshaAllah, I will share more about my experience and funny & sad things that are related to :

Keywords: Closing ceremony, Dubai, appreciating

Review: What I learnt from these 2 days?

1. Be a traveller and not a visitor.
2. I have learned new words from Reem such as "Yallah Yallah" and "Khalas".
3. Expect the unexpected because who knows someone can speak Urdu. Haha.
4. Be nice to others. It is because we never know which one small act of us can be impactful for someone.
5. Knowledge is not only to be learned but also to be applied. Masdar City is one of the great examples as it combines knowledge of science, technology and architecture to build a green print city.
6. Everyone from different fields can contribute a lot. I learned from my fellow friends how sustainability can be achieved from various aspects. One of the best examples was Salman, who kept sharing the architectural concepts behind Masdar City. It was worth listening to!
7. Survey before going anywhere to avoid being stranded in a place.

Part 3 👈👈👈