Tuesday, April 13, 2010

A View From Dubai

A 21-year-old student, Phillip Van Reeth shares his cultural experiences, childhood,and the first seventeen years of his life living in Dubai. Being raised in theforeign land of Dubai, Van Reeth witnessed many changes in his homelandthroughout his childhood.

“Dubai is very westernized. The percentage of locals is very low, making it very diverse,” said Van Reeth. “There are a lot of Westerners, a lot of British, South Africans, and a lot of Australians. You get a whole mix form all over the world really.”

Being a child of American parents, Van Reeth was brought up with western culture and beliefs. His parents moved to Dubai for the sole purpose of delivering better healthcare to the Middle East and to share western medicine. Van Reeth’s mother and father opened up the American Hospital of Dubai in 1996 for those exact reasons.

During his childhood, Van Reeth attended the American School of Dubai where he received his education. While attending this school, Van Reeth felt very challenged throughout his courses.

“Teachers want to teach in the middle east because of the benefits they get, the time off, the taxes and they are getting paid more than they do in the states. A lot of university professors come there and teach high school. A lot of my professors were American and Canadian.”

Van Reeth explains how the schools in Dubai are now switching from Mac’s to PC computers, unlike the schools in the states that are leaning more toward Mac’s instead of PCs.

“When I was in school in Dubai, every computer was a Mac, which is what got me interested in the Film and Media Arts Major,” said Van Reeth.

Van Reeth pursed his interest in film and media arts by attending the University of Tampa in Florida. He heard about this program through a college fair that was held at his school in Dubai.

“They have college fairs that come to the Middle East to showcase the American Universities, around 15 or so. You can’t really take a weekend off and visit a school like you can in the United States,” said Van Reeth.

He also admits that there is no presence of blogging in Dubai. He never even heard about it until he traveled to the U.S. Blogging has transformed into a huge media outlet for American’s and he explains how the media hasn’t explored this outlet.

Duabi’s transformation from a desert vast land to an international tourist hot spot was very visible through Van Reeth’s eyes.

“I remember for the longest time that the tallest building was only 25 stories high, since then it has just exploded and they have built some ridiculous stuff,” Van Reeth explains.

During Van Reeth’s junior year of high school the unprecedented indoor ski slope dubbed “Ski Dubai” was completed. The principle of one day having nothing but a desert to the next day waking up to see a ski slope is something that Van Reeth thought he’d never see. From what used to be a limited amount of activities for Van Reeth and his friends to the now never-ending list of local attractions, the transformation was astonishing. But not all change is for the good.

“The one annoying thing about all this change is that they started to take our beaches away. I have to be near the beach, and they are beautiful out here,” said Van Reeth. “The problem is they are building these huge, five star hotels right on the beach and you have to a member or guest to use them, and that’s frustrating.”

Being so westernized, it is not surprising that all the construction, expansion, and growth of western countries is visible in Dubai. While expansion does bring change and chance for large profits the local activities, people and some culture are unfortunately sacrificed.

Green Agreement


With all eyes on the United Arab Emirates, the country is making their next step towards being completely modern. Abu Dhabi recently announced that they are interested in green technology and will further research and negotiate their options.

The United Arab Emirates has currently been discussing negotiations with Norway in efforts to develop a green agreement between the two.

Abu Dhabi reports that "Norway's deputy petroleum and energy minister Robin Kass has given assurance of Oslo's desire to establish joint strategic projects with the UAE in the field of renewable energy and the development of the oil and gas industry to achieve sustainable development".

The partnership will hopefully provide alternative fuel sources and lower costs of energy.

In an article written by Gulf News, Norway's Kass stated that "this strategic decision will meet a rapidly growing demand for energy in the UAE from a peaceful nuclear source while maintaining stocks of oil and gas for the next generation through exports to foreign markets."

With the demand for alternative sources and lower costs of energy, the agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Norway seems to be full with potential. This is an exciting development and hope to hear good things in the time to come. We may even be able to hope for $1.00 gas prices....Anything is possible.


For any more information:
http://gulfnews.com/business/oil-gas/norway-eager-to-enhance-clean-energy-ties-with-uae-1.612017

Saturday, March 27, 2010

UAE Grows Career Fair


          If there is one thing that the United Arab Emirates is determined to do, its to excel their country in every aspect possible. From new construction, to new deign, to new events, every chance that is provided is taken advantage of. One of those ways in which they strive to excel is through their career fair.

        "The event - which enables UAE Nationals with qualifications in diverse fields of expertise to meet directly with recruiters and hiring managers; as well as to seek out various training and career opportunities - provides an excellent platform for raising the corporate profile of Dubal and attracting the interest of high calibre candidates for recruitment" explains Marwan Al Sawaleh (General Manager: Human Resources). "In 2009, the Dubal stand at CareersUAE attracted job applications from more than 2,000 candidates, enabling us to recruit several UAE Nationals during the course of the year. We are confident of attracting even more applications this year."

         The event takes place at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center on March 28th- 30th, 2010. Anything is possible.

Dubai: Rhythm and Races



        Since 1996, Dubai has held one of the worlds premiere events for horse racing, The Dubai World Cup. Annually, the best thoroughbred horses from around the world are assembled for a night of racing. With a purse of US $10 million, The Dubai World Cup has become the worlds richest horse race. It is a flat race on a synthetic dirt surface allowing Northern Hemisphere Thoroughbred four-year-olds & up and for Southern Hemisphere Thoroughbred three-year-olds & up run over a distance of 2,000 meters.

         Neither the beautiful scenery, world class competition, or even the large purse can captivate everyones attention. One of the main events of Dubai World Cup 2010 isn't even the horses! March 27th, 2010, is a once in a lifetime chance to see two of arguably the greatest musicians of all time playing together on the same stage. Yes ladies and gentlemen, two of the greatest. 

         To celebrate the Dubai World Cup, event planners have invited Elton John and Carlos Santana to perform, which just adds to the prestige and excitement surrounding the Dubai World Cup. 
Anything is possible. 

photo courtesy of tabonline.com and Dubai World Cup

Abu Dhabi Ascends the Skies


       From artists to athletes, people from all professions and countries have been flocking to the United Arab Emirates for their over the top events. After hosting their first Grand Prix, first yacht show, art show, and even first wake boarding event, Abu Dhabi has set their eyes on something a little higher. 

       The wings of Red Bull have taken Abu Dhabi to the sky. The new sport of air racing is an international competition which is based on speed and precision. The top pilots from around the world assemble in different places to hurl themselves through constantly changing courses. A slight drop in temperature or small shift in wind can be very costly. 

       The 2010 Red Bull Air Race World Championship Season will begin March 26th-27th 2010 over the beautiful and always scenic Abu Dhabi Intercoastal. First flight of the season will take place in the scorching heat of this afternoon. 
Racing planes? Anything is possible.


Photo Courtesy of Red Bull

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Dubai meets Dali


            Once again, Dubai strives to make itself the center of the international spotlight. This time it is not tourism, or sports, or architecture, but art. Dubai is planned to host one of the largest art events set to date. Art Dubai 2010 is set to host 70 artists from 30 different countries all being watched and reported on by over 300 international press.

             On March 17th through March 20th of 2010, Dubai's desert coastline will turn into the premiere event and center of the world for the art industry and collectors alike. 
Anything is possible.


Please visit www.artdubai.ae for more information

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Abu Dhabi Atheltics

                                                    Photo credited to Jim Caple

The United Arab Emirates has made itself known for many things: size, scale, and scope of everything they do is above and beyond. But one thing they are not known for is athletics. Well, that is about to change. Outside of multiple unsuccssful bids for hosting the Olympics, the UAE is slowly, but surely making its way onto the athletic scene. 

As a start, Abu Dhabi is scheduled to host the Laureus World Sports Awards. This event celebrates the worlds greatest athletes from all sports and countries. The chairman of these prestigous awards, Edwin Moses, stated that "The Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony being held here at the Emirates Palace Wednesday night is a huge boost to the UAE and the region and will inspire young people to take up sport,". Mohammad Ebrahim Mahmoud, Secretary-General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council is confident in the message being sent,"Abu Dhabi has hosted a lot of world class sports events. We want to go further and work harder to make Abu Dhabi a prime destination for sports and tourism."

Another event Abu Dhabi plans to host is the Abu Dhabi Wakestock 2010. "Wakestock Abu Dhabi represents the first stop on the prestigious 2010 WWA Wakeboard World Series as the sport's top 16 athletes compete off the shore of Al Sahil Beach for a share of the $50,000 prize and the title of Wakestock Abu Dhabi Champion 2010," according to Abu Dhabi Wakestock's official website. Just another way for the United Arab Emirates to solidfy its position in the world of sports. Anything is possible.