Here's to New Friends!

Day one of Insight Dubai was AWESOME simply because I was introduced to my Emirati buddy, Muna, and about 90 other women from around the world. Almost every country between Argentina and Venezuela (alphabetically speaking) was represented at orientation and welcoming addresses. After the welcoming speeches made by Sheikh Nahyna, Minister of Education (and a big contributor to the conference), Dr. Howard Reed, director of Dubai Women's College, and Haya al-Mutlaq, our lead contact and coordinator of this conference, we were split into small groups.

I was put into team BLUE (I can now say blue in 4 different languages: blue, azul, azrak and nila!!). Muna and I, along with six other pairs, were assigned to Beenish (Beans for short)as our facilitator for the rest of the trip. Let me tell you, Beans is the reason why I don't need my cup o' Joe every morning. The girl can talk someone's ear off, literally -- but in a good kind of way. Beans was a participant in Insight Dubai 2009 and loved it so much that she applied and returned as facilitator this year. She is trying her best to make this trip to Dubai a memorable one for us.

After small group, Muna gave me a tour of the Dubai Women's College. Reaction in two words: HOLY COW!!! The campus is huge and the facilities are SO new. I only hope Kelley's new renovations to the Business School can be as modern as what I saw on this campus.

The tour was followed by two movies: Unveiling Dubai, which was a documentary about a German man's perspective on Dubai on his first visit, and the second Mr. and Mrs. Right, was a comical short film about Arab men and women's thoughts on marriage. As the first was factual, most could relate to the second film, aligning their hopes, fantasies and fears of marriage with those of the Arabs interviewed.

The day concluded with a delicious barbeque and cultural quiz in the courtyard. I returned to my room, thereafter, (still without my luggage) and crashed on the couch.

Word of the Day: Kuhbiz. It means Bread!

T-Minus 6 Hours!!!

Hello Readers -

So I must admit, this is the first time I'm blogging...and it's probably the most interesting thing ever: having the world read what's going on in my head.

Well at the moment, there are about a thousand and one things that are running through my head. Have I packed everything? Where's my passport? Plane tickets? Where can I find the nearest vacuum to pick up this mess on the floor I am currently sitting on?

Why am I freaking out so much, you ask. Well, in about 6 hours I will be on board a plane en route to Washington, DC from where I will switch over to a flight to Dubai, UAE. DUBAI!?!?! Yes, Dubai. Indiana University's Kelley School of Business chose me, and senior Cara Feighery, to make an 8 day trip to attend the Insight's Dubai Leadership Conference.

For more information, feel free to browse: http://dwc.hct.ac.ae/insight-dubai/home.html

This is the first time the Kelley School of Business, in conjunction with CIBER (Center for International Business Education and Research) is sending students to this conference, in efforts to provide international exposure and increase global awareness and leadership skills by discussing critical world issues.

I'm super excited to be in a new country and meet women, of my age, from all around the world. I hope that you will follow me on my journey over the course of the next 8 days, experiencing Dubai through my eyes, and those of Cara's.

But for now, I must return to packing.