Dubai is a land of extremes.On the one hand it is a part of the Middle East and what is arguably a very conservative Muslim region. On the other hand it has tried to become a modern metropolis and a regional trade hub. Though the two are not mutually exclusive it has been difficult to balance the aspirations of the government with the inherent insular culture of the region.
It has had notable successes in its goals of becoming a trade hub but has had to deal with issues of sustainability and, sometimes, sanity of what it has been doing. Lots of titles have been given to the city state; "The Vegas of the Middle East" is what comes to mind most often. Life in Dubai is very different from the rest of the region; from creating the world’s tallest building to the world's largest man-made islands, Dubai has seen remarkable growth in the past 10 years.
Dubai’s current fall from grace has been quite traumatic for both the region and the city state. Personally, it has meant that I will have to look elsewhere for employment after completing my MBA. Originally, I had planned to seek employment with a large multinational company in Dubai after completing my studies, now I plan to stay in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for a bit longer or to look elsewhere.
Stories of people leaving their brand new luxury cars at the airport with a "sorry" note, and of record numbers of school-leaving certificates issued are stark reminders of the fact that a large part of Dubai’s population are foreigners, people who will or must leave when work dries up. Dubai’s special economic zones, or “cities within cities” as they are called, were meant to inspire entrepreneurship but are now empty ghost towns. By some estimates office space occupancy has fallen to 50%, a scary thought since a large part of the city’s GDP is derived from real estate.
To say all is well would be grossly misleading, but to say that Dubai is dead and buried would be equally spurious. Not everything is doom and gloom. The first monorail project in the region was recently launched with much fan fare and the opening of the Burj Khalifa was another landmark in the history of the region.
The capricious nature of the world of finance has hurt almost every country, Yogi Berra, the famous baseball player, once said, “the future ain’t what it used to be.” Singling Dubai out for lack of foresight would be unfair. There are signs of recovery in the region; The Middle East needs Dubai almost as much as Dubai needs Foreign Direct Investment to survive.
Dubai is a place where almost any culture can find something familiar enough to be comfortable. It is not exactly a melting pot but rather a place where differences are better tolerated than in the rest of the region.
As for me, I still have a year left to study before I decide where I want to move. By then, Dubai may have recovered to the point where it will be a feasible move, or other places in the region might also start to look attractive: Abu Dhabi and Riyadh have been doing well recently. It’s hard to say what will happen a year from now, but I know I will be keeping a close watch.
To borrow terms from academia I would say Dubai’s future is deterministic but not predictable, i.e. the previous state will determine the next but the current information cannot be used to predict what that future will be.
Syed Husain has been a Saudi in Chicago, a Chicagoan in New York, and an Indian in Saudi Arabia. Right now, he is in Saudi Arabia working at a bank and is studying for the Cross Continent MBA program at the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University
Student Reviews
Duke University Fuqua School of Business
Supportive atmosphere
The professors at Duke university exhibit exceptional commitment to the success and well-being of their students by ensuring their academic growth and fostering a supportive social atmosphere. Moreover, the entire community is recognized for its amicability and inclusiveness.
Diversity
The people or the students are without a doubt Duke's greatest asset. While all students are driven to succeed, they are also enthusiastic about a variety of hobbies. You run across a huge lot of diversity. It is the ideal example of a school with well-rounded students and the ideal balance of campus life in a metropolis.
Happy to school
All I could ever hope for is Duke University. That really epitomizes the "work hard, play hard" philosophy that elite colleges frequently pursue. Even though you'll have a lot of schooling to complete over the week, it's simple to keep focused because all of your friends are putting in similar amounts of effort. Many events taking place on and around campus on the weekends provide a great way to unwind. The combination of demanding academics and traditional college fun strikes the perfect balance.
Good schooling
Living, eating, learning, and developing who you want to be as an adult are all fantastic at Duke. I participated in student athletics, and I couldn't have asked for a better interaction with the faculty and other students. I appreciate all of the help I get from the Duke community more than anything. Furthermore, the teachers take the time to get to know you, and the lectures are diverse and demanding (if you do the same). I'd give it a 10 out of 10.
Beautiful School, Nice Classes
DU remains one the greatest and best universities that I have ever stepped in. The school is beautiful and neat. The classes are spacious and also very nice. I enjoyed attending my Lectures in those lecture halls. I also loved the Lecturers because of the good work they did. The university also has very good dorms that are given to students on first come first serve basis and they are affordable
Amazing experience
I received my B.S. in Biology and B.A. in Global Health with a minor in Chemistry from Duke University. I was able to grow as a student, scientist, and global health advocate with the help of my friends, professors, and other mentors I met along the way. A lot to learn if you look and ask, a great place to learn for those who want to learn.
whirlwind of growth and change
An amazing 2 years, with covid and everything else happening Duke has been a place of growth for me. The courses , classes were one of a kind, online and on campus. But the valuable lessons learned in the classes are irreplicable. The students are amazing here, so much diversity , I had no problem fitting in. The teachers are down right brilliant and so helpful. Don't be afraid to ask them anything. Graduated with my MBA with Duke and now my future awaits.
One of the best for Business students
Graduated with an MBA. The classes were very insightful and engaging. The staff are very easy to deal with. The teachers and students, are truly amazing people. Grateful to all the people I've met along the way at Duke. I've learnt a great deal that will help me in my future endeavors. The campus itself is a marvel, it is beautiful.
The university campus is awesome
I graduated with a masters degree in Religious Studies from Duke University. One thing I really liked about the university is its huge campus. It is spread in a large area with a lot of greenery and also have the facilities of reading rooms for single person also. My department building was very well taken care of. The library is immensely populated with books for all your needs. The faculty is very nice to students. The classes are equipped with latest technology to cater the needs of students. The University also provides room rentals for international students. They are very well maintained and priority is given to the International students for a comfortable stay there. There are weekly events conducted by the University as well as Student clubs for the entertainment of students. Anybody can take part in them and show their talents. I enjoyed my degree and I graduated in 2021 and was very happy that I had graduated from a reputed University.
Program Flexibility and Vibrant Campus Life
Duke University is renowned for its rigorous academic programs and vibrant campus life. The university offers a diverse range of majors and research opportunities, supported by world-class faculty.
What I particularly liked about Duke was its strong sense of community and the wealth of extracurricular activities available to students. The campus is beautiful, with top-notch facilities and a supportive atmosphere that fosters both personal and academic growth.
Overall, I would highly recommend Duke University for its excellent educational offerings and strong alumni network. If you're looking for a place that challenges you academically while offering numerous opportunities for personal development, Duke is an excellent choice.
