1st day at Zayed University Abu Dhabi Campus

June 3, 2007

Today is the third day in Abu Dhabi. The day began with a Q&A session with the Zayed students in the student council and embassy. Followed by a guest speaker, an author of From Rags to Riches, Mohammed Al-Fahim. As an individual born and raised in Abu Dhabi, he shared his personal story as well as life before the oil. He had also shared his personal family and how his children received their education in USA. He has shared his vision and ways as a father in a family as well as a leader in his firm. The second speaker was Robert Redford—a very influential individual around the world. Although his speech only lasted for no more than 5 minutes—he managed to briefly communicate across a message—Culture cannot be learned from the media—in which I believe is a very true statement, not only from my experience from this trip but from my life’s experiences, living in multiple countries as well as traveling. Our third speakers are women from the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council. The three speakers ranges from recent Zayed University graduate up to one of the most influential women in Abu Dhabi—all own their own company and have very similar vision for the women of UAE. All speakers today have been very influential however, I was able to connect most with the women from the Businesswomen council—as I have plans and visions of my own that is very similar to them for my country, Indonesia.

Jovita Tjandra