Monday: Abu Dhabi!!

Today is the day we leave the American University of Sharjah and move on to Abu Dhabi! We were sad to leave Alina, a CSB alum that works at the university who showed us around Dubai and the university, but excited to begin a new adventure. Alina was a big help to us. Without her we wouldn't have had the opportuniy to stay at the university. A big thanks goes out to her! After we packed on Saturday morning we took one last walk around campus and attended the business forum where we were able to see Emerati royalty. That was pretty cool! After getting some lunch from the Subway and Starbucks on campus, we began our journey to Abu Dhabi. Upon arriving in Abu Dhabi we headed to the Women's Heritage Center. We found lots of treasures and finally saw a camel! We were so excited! Lauren even got to ride it! After the Handicraft Center we went to the Grand Zayed Mosque. It was very neat to see! And so beautiful! It was a fun experience wearing an Abbya!After visiting the Mosque we checked into the hotel and then attended the pre conference registration and reception where we met some of the other delegates and made new friends. Conference started Tuesday so we all went to bed early and ready for the conference!!

-Jenna

Saturday: A Crash Course to Dubai

Wow! So much has happened these past days, we have barely hade time to catch our breath! We got to AUS Friday night and settled into our houses. Saturday, we went to have an authentic Arabic breakfast in Sharjah. It was amazing! We had so much food! My favorite was manakeesh, a piece of bread with cheese and zataar, a collection of spices. Yum! Some of us also tried Turkish coffee, which was very strong! After, we drove into Dubai. We saw a mosque, the Burj Al Arab, a large tower that looks like a sail, the Jamira souk (mall), one of the Palm Islands, and the beach. It was all so beautiful. A group of us went to the Persian Gulf andnstuck our ffet in. It was surprisingly warm!

After, we went to dinner in the Heritage Village along the river. It was cold and windy that night, so the restaurant gave us these big, thick cloaks to wear. We also all had Moroccan tea, which was delicious! It was sobnice. We could see the skyline of Dubai all lit up :)

Check back for more stories!

-Liz

We made it!

We arrived in Dubai! The flight was a bit bumpy but we made it safe and sound a half hour early! We are tired but glad to be here. Look for more adventures to come!

-Liz

Day Before We Leave!

Searching on the internet for things about the UAE, I noticed that tomorrow is International Women's Day! How fitting is it that we are leaving tomorrow for our Women as Global Leaders conference?!

Anyway, I just wanted to post a couple pictures I took at our potluck party.

Can't believe we are leaving tomorrow!

~ Colleen Kennedy

Almost TIME!!!

I cannot believe that in a couple of days we will be heading out to the UAE.  This will be my first trip out of the United States and it is a huge step for me.  It has never cross my mind that I will be going to the UAE, as my first trip.  It is very exciting and I cannot wait to explore this wonderful place.  I am kind of nervous right now because it feels like it is a dream.  It also feels like everything is coming by so fast as well.  I cannot believe that I and other Bennies will be able to go on this once in a life time trip.  I am looking forward to create wonderful bonds with the group as well as form lasting friendship and relationship with the people we meet in Abu Dhabi as well. 

I am looking forward to immerse myself in a totally different culture from mines and learn their way of life.  I also want to understand how things work there.  I heard that Abu Dhabi is a beautiful place and I am looking forward to see that as well.  I heard that food is great as well and I want to try new food and new things. 

I am just so excited that there is so much I want to say.  I think that going to this conference will help me become a better leader as well as how I can help others to lead. 

OMG Abu Dhabi!!!!  We are coming!!!!!

Ready or Not, Here I Come

I can't believe that it's spring break already. It feels like yesterday that I found out I was going to the UAE.  I'm excited to go abroad.  I had the opportunity to study abroad in India last year and I had no clue last year I will have the opportunity to travel again with the school. CSB has offered me places that in my wildest dreams, I had never dreamed. 

Today, I'm doing my errands to get ready for my trip. I have to go to the bank and get a last few things ready to go that I couldn't do when I was at CSB.   Its exciting but nerve wracking at the same time to remember everything.  Picking my poster up for my presentation and double checking everything. Its a lot to remember but it will be worth it.

I can't wait for the smells, the people, and the food. I have done alot of reading and I feel like I just have to go again. 

-Rhebekkah Westre

Just around the Corner

As classes come to a close and friends say goodbye, spring break is finally in full swing. Now that the reality of the adventure I am about to embark on has set in, I can hardly contain my excitement! I must admit that I found myself daydreaming about the WAGL conference instead of focusing on midterm papers and exams the past few weeks, but honestly, can you blame me? How could I not concentrate on this once in a life-time experience! Dubai and Abu Dhabi: incredible.

Although I have never done any international traveling, I am enthusiastic (and maybe a little nervous) to board the airplane and begin this experience. Every time I think about the conference I can feel the butterflies, no more like pterodactyls fluttering around in my stomach, I literally get jittery with anticipation. I crave the culture shock, the new insights I will gain, and the people I will meet. I have spent expanses of time looking at photos of the United Arab Emirates and reading about it. I cannot wait to see the architecture, taste the food, and observe everything that is going on-if only I had an extra set of eyes to make sure I didn’t miss anything!

The thing that I find most difficult to wrap my head around is the conference itself. What will it be like? I cannot even fathom the reaction I will have to this group of talented and inspiring women gathered together. I am sure the dynamic of a high concentration of influential and intelligent speakers, leaders, and delegates will have a profound effect on me, and I am ready to embrace it. I hope to learn from these women and let their experiences and insights help shape my view of the world to become a better global citizen. I can’t wait to being interacting and engaging with the attendees of the Women as Global Leaders Conference.

My passport is set out, I have my luggage packed (kind of, turns out packing is a struggle), and I am geared up ready to go. As I am writing this, a big smile forms on my face because in just a few short days this dream will become a reality. Can you tell I’m excited?

Until next time,

Nikki Orth