Today's Edition
KHOULAH ALI (DUBAI)
UAE students studying in the Republic of Korea serve as ambassadors of their homeland, embodying the UAE’s values of tolerance, coexistence, and love for others. They reflect their open and rich culture to the world, and work to strengthen human communication, solidifying relations between the two peoples.
Language Barrier
Shamsa Mohammed Al Rumaithi, a political science and international relations student at a university in the Republic of Korea, despite previously studying in English, has dedicated herself to learning Korean to overcome the language barrier and communicate with the Korean people. This effort aims to build cultural bridges, strengthen relations, and enhance friendship and tolerance. Al Rumaithi believes that being in an international university with students from various cultures and nationalities has facilitated dialogues and discussions, contributing to closer views and dispelling stereotypes on important issues. She also pointed out that the UAE Embassy in Seoul has provided students with numerous opportunities to exchange experiences regarding UAE-Korea and global relations through training at the embassy and participation in various events, highlighting the strong ties between the UAE and Korea in a number of fields.
Intercultural Communication
Al Rumaithi emphasised that studying abroad has made her more experienced in dealing with different cultures and nationalities. She aspires to be more knowledgeable, specialised, and involved in political science, especially Arab politics, and dreams of pursuing higher studies in this field and working in it.
Similarity and Difference
Reem Ahmed Al Suwaidi, a political science and international relations student at Korea University, has learned about a new and different culture by exploring similarities and differences between the UAE and Korea. She has gained abundant knowledge about the country’s culture through her academic and life experience as an expatriate. Despite the challenges of being away from her country, adapting to a new culture, and the initial language barrier, she overcame these challlenges with a greater desire to prove her abilities and reflect her culture through her interactions with the Korean people. Al Suwaidi has participated in several events and volunteer programmes in collaboration with the UAE Embassy in Korea, including national occasions like National Day and Emirati Women’s Day, as well as student conferences and cultural festivals, aiming to strengthen relations between the two countries and introduce Koreans to the UAE’s culture, values, and achievements.
Ambassador for His Country
Mohammed Al Salami, a master’s student at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), specialising in space science engineering and space systems development, said that studying in Korea has been fruitful. He has benefited from technological expertise, which will serve the UAE’s space sector, and has had the opportunity to learn about Korean culture. As an expatriate student, he is an ambassador for his country, positively representing its culture through productive communication and building strong relationships based on tolerance. Al Salami, as an expatriate from the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, aims to apply what he has learned in his research to contribute to developing the UAE’s space sector.
Knowledge Exchange
Jawaher Rashid Al Dhahouri, passionate about delving into different cultures, decided to pursue her university studies in space science as an expatriate student at Yonsei University in Korea. She studies within a different culture and a new educational system, exchanging knowledge with students from around the world. Al Dhahouri confirmed that adapting to a new culture and language was challenging for her, but she seized the opportunity to learn the Korean language to navigate daily life comfortably. She has an extensive record of active contributions in programmes, exhibitions, and community participation.
A Distinguished Image
Samia Yacoub, a nuclear engineering Ph.D. candidate at Seoul National University, sees her ambitions and desire to serve her community and country as the motivation for continuing her research and studies. She noted that the UAE Embassy’s support for students, along with continuous encouragement from family and friends, has made it easier for her to handle all challenges abroad, enabling her to prove her academic excellence. Her proficiency in several languages has helped her form friendships with people from different nationalities.
