Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Sara Al Makhmari is studying in Japan as part of the UAE Youth Ambassadors Programme, and an unexpected encounter in Fukushima gave her a fresh perspective on diplomacy, leaving her even prouder to be Emirati.
A module on the Great East Japan Earthquake - the 2011 disaster that claimed thousands of lives, caused widespread devastation, and triggered the Fukushima nuclear accident - taught Al Makhmari and her peers about the resilience of Japanese communities. But what struck her the most, she said, was learning that survivors still remembered the UAE as one of the nations that stood by them in the aftermath of the catastrophe.
"I was surprised to see how much the Japanese community in Fukushima appreciated the help that we provided them," she told Aletihad. "It really solidified this diplomatic relationship that we have."
Al Makhmari was among students from the China and Japan tracks of the UAE Youth Ambassadors Programme who recently came together for a three-day Abu Dhabi module. The session focused on media representation and diplomacy, building on participants' academic and cultural experiences abroad.
Among those at the session was a mentor who could attest to how much the programme supports a person's growth beyond academics. It was a full-circle moment for Suaad Al Hammadi, who took part in the programme's 2011 cohort in South Korea and has now returned as a mentor.
"It truly shaped my future," Al Hammadi said. "I focused not only on education but also on the social side, including communicating with others and developing skills beyond academics."
The programme also transformed her confidence and leadership skills, she said. "It gave me opportunities to develop my leadership, communication and public speaking skills, and played an important role in shaping the person I am today."
Two-Way Cultural Exchange
For the young Emiratis in the programme, studying abroad comes with a responsibility to represent their country. It's a role built into the programme itself, which is designed as a two-way cultural exchange.
Noor Al Yammahi, who is studying at Beijing Language and Culture University, carries that idea with her: "Always remember that every person, every national, is an ambassador for their country, whether through their education, respect or values."
Khalid Makki, a business economics student at Tokyo International University, said the experience taught him the importance of embracing his culture and another's way of life.
"This programme taught me how to communicate with Japanese people beyond just the language … [but also through] the questions you ask and how you present yourself," said Makki, who made it a point to share Emirati food and wear a kandura in Japan.
Al Makhmari, who is studying transdisciplinary engineering at the Institute of Science Tokyo, also took the opportunity to share the UAE story with the people she met.
"The programme gave me an amazing opportunity to teach Japanese people about my culture, as opposed to me constantly learning about theirs as a student in Japan," she said.
Latefa Al Sheryani, an aerospace engineering student at Beijing Institute of Technology in China, said the experience has strengthened her connection to her national identity.
"Your identity is your anchor," she said. "When you're far from home, it's easy to get lost in a new culture, but I always remind myself I'm representing the UAE."
Lessons Outside the Classroom
Beyond representation, the programme's ultimate goal is for participants to bring everything home - the knowledge, the new perspectives, the life lessons.
Exposure to Chinese workplaces, for example, highlighted the importance of perseverance, organisation and teamwork, Al Sheryani said. "The programme helped me see that this isn't just about studying hard; it's about a whole mindset of perseverance and teamwork. It's inspired me to bring that same energy back to the UAE."
Al Yammahi, who also lived in China, learnt how development can coexist with a strong cultural identity. "We've learned about Chinese culture, and how Chinese people hold onto their culture and traditions even with the huge development," she said.
Nadiya Al Dhaheri, a master's student in finance at Fudan's School of Management in China, said the programme taught her practical skills she wouldn't have learnt in a classroom. Field visits and interactions, she said, strengthened her understanding of leadership and communication.
"It taught me that leadership is not only about speaking; it's also about understanding people and knowing how to communicate with them."
Al Dhaheri believes young Emiratis can also strengthen people-to-people ties between two countries. "Especially between the UAE and China, young people can play an important role in making the relationship not only about business and trade, but also about mutual understanding and friendship."
Fahad Almarzooqi, another Emirati student in China, found common ground between the two cultures. "What surprised me was how many similarities I noticed between Chinese and Emirati culture, especially when it comes to respecting elders, family and hospitality," he said.
Almarzooqi said visits in Yunnan and Beijing also offered valuable cultural and professional exposure, from engaging with the Bai community in Shaxi to learning how Chinese companies operate and innovate.
For him, the experience ultimately comes down to contributing at home. "I think the real value of the experience is what we take from it and how we use it to contribute to the UAE."
