Classes are in full swing here at AUS and I am enjoying them very much. I'm taking a full course load, with classes like International Trade, Islamic Economics, The Middle East Meets the West, War and Peace in the Middle East, and Introduction to Islamic Philosophy. It's interesting getting to look at international relations through another lens, as well as to learn about Islamic Economics, an economic system that differs greatly from the capitalist and socialist systems that we are all so familiar with in the West.
But while I am getting adjusted, I'm still not completely used to them all. And there are of course, some things that I find frustrating about taking classes here.
The most obvious difference is the weekdays. Because Friday is the Muslim day of prayer, here in the UAE (and throughout the Middle East) the weekend is Friday and Saturday. My brain is still on American weekends, so I rarely know what day of the week it is without looking it up in the mornings. And even then I frequently I have to remind myself what day it is.
Another thing that is hard to get used to is how laid back everyone is, especially the professors. On one hand it's lovely to not be overly stressed about school work here, as it gives me more time to do other things; but it can also be frustrating as well. They are also very diplomatic when it comes to speaking about UAE policies. Coming from the US where policies are often openly criticized, it was a surprise to me when we spoke about UAE foreign policy and no one challenged what the country was doing (or pushing for details when vague, diplomatic answers were given). I became even more surprised when a Bahraini student thanked the man presenting UAE foreign policy for the UAE's support of his country when they were having issues.
One of the most frustrating classes for me is The Middle East Meets the West. Sometimes the content of the lectures swings toward anti-American, especially when it comes to American foreign policy. And that's fine. I almost expected it, even if it is slightly uncomfortable to sit through sometimes, and I appreciate getting another side of the story to many of the major events that have occurred in the Middle East. What has really struck me however is the day we started discussing stereotypes. Last week the professor brought in a guest speaker to talk about stereotypes and how to combat them. At the end of the lecture, our professor turned around and addressed the exchange students specifically, saying that we could now use these new tools. Her attention towards the Americans made us feel as though she thought we were the only group that held stereotypes. In addition, during an exercise on another day, she had the most confused look on her face when the exchange students (myself included) said that we too had been discriminated against because of our race and nationality.
It is a little disturbing to me that a professor teaching a class about improving the relations between the Muslim World and the West can have such negative stereotypes about the West (and seem to be so blind to her promotion of those stereotypes). One of my greatest hopes for this semester is that I and the other exchange students can show our professor the positive traits of Americans, so that her negative perceptions of the US will change.
I haven't just been busy with studying though. I was able to see some of the Sharjah Light Festival, the Global Village and I recently went on a trip to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, to see the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan is the founder of the UAE, the nation's first president, and a beloved man in the UAE. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the largest mosque in the nation, and one of the largest in the world. It was one of the most gorgeous buildings I have ever seen. The white marble made it seem like I was in a fairytale land, and there was luxury everywhere. It has the largest carpet and the third largest chandelier in the world, both of which are absolutely stunning. I was a little disappointed that I did not have time to see the mausoleum where Sheikh Zayed was buried, but then that gives me a reason to visit the Grand Mosque again.
For now, I am busy getting homework done and preparing for Global Day at AUS with the Emirati Cultural Club. That experience will be for next time.
But while I am getting adjusted, I'm still not completely used to them all. And there are of course, some things that I find frustrating about taking classes here.
The most obvious difference is the weekdays. Because Friday is the Muslim day of prayer, here in the UAE (and throughout the Middle East) the weekend is Friday and Saturday. My brain is still on American weekends, so I rarely know what day of the week it is without looking it up in the mornings. And even then I frequently I have to remind myself what day it is.
Another thing that is hard to get used to is how laid back everyone is, especially the professors. On one hand it's lovely to not be overly stressed about school work here, as it gives me more time to do other things; but it can also be frustrating as well. They are also very diplomatic when it comes to speaking about UAE policies. Coming from the US where policies are often openly criticized, it was a surprise to me when we spoke about UAE foreign policy and no one challenged what the country was doing (or pushing for details when vague, diplomatic answers were given). I became even more surprised when a Bahraini student thanked the man presenting UAE foreign policy for the UAE's support of his country when they were having issues.
One of the most frustrating classes for me is The Middle East Meets the West. Sometimes the content of the lectures swings toward anti-American, especially when it comes to American foreign policy. And that's fine. I almost expected it, even if it is slightly uncomfortable to sit through sometimes, and I appreciate getting another side of the story to many of the major events that have occurred in the Middle East. What has really struck me however is the day we started discussing stereotypes. Last week the professor brought in a guest speaker to talk about stereotypes and how to combat them. At the end of the lecture, our professor turned around and addressed the exchange students specifically, saying that we could now use these new tools. Her attention towards the Americans made us feel as though she thought we were the only group that held stereotypes. In addition, during an exercise on another day, she had the most confused look on her face when the exchange students (myself included) said that we too had been discriminated against because of our race and nationality.
It is a little disturbing to me that a professor teaching a class about improving the relations between the Muslim World and the West can have such negative stereotypes about the West (and seem to be so blind to her promotion of those stereotypes). One of my greatest hopes for this semester is that I and the other exchange students can show our professor the positive traits of Americans, so that her negative perceptions of the US will change.
I haven't just been busy with studying though. I was able to see some of the Sharjah Light Festival, the Global Village and I recently went on a trip to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, to see the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan is the founder of the UAE, the nation's first president, and a beloved man in the UAE. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the largest mosque in the nation, and one of the largest in the world. It was one of the most gorgeous buildings I have ever seen. The white marble made it seem like I was in a fairytale land, and there was luxury everywhere. It has the largest carpet and the third largest chandelier in the world, both of which are absolutely stunning. I was a little disappointed that I did not have time to see the mausoleum where Sheikh Zayed was buried, but then that gives me a reason to visit the Grand Mosque again.
For now, I am busy getting homework done and preparing for Global Day at AUS with the Emirati Cultural Club. That experience will be for next time.
A lit-up mosque in Sharjah during the Sharjah Light Festival.
The India Pavilion at the Global Village in Dubai. Many Countries around the world were represented by pavilions filled with shops like this one.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi
The pillars of the structure That surrounded the mosque. Each pillar had depictions of flowers made from cut stone That was then placed into the marble.
Inside the Grand Mosque. This is the third Largest chandelier in the world. On the wall behind it, all 99 known names of Allah are written, with empty spot on for the 100th unknown name.
A close-up of the beautiful Persian carpet in the mosque, the largest carpet in the world.
