2023-09-25 10:41:00
What struck her during her Erasmus in Dubai?
What mainly struck Pauline were the intense working conditions. “It allowed me to see behind the scenes, who are the little hands hiding behind the luxury side of Dubai. Among other things, I worked with people who come from the Philippines, India, Nepal , …” On site, the hotel management student worked six days a week, as required by local law, all under the blazing sun. Asked regarding her feelings regarding the Human Rights situation in this city in the United Arab Emirates, she explains that, despite the low level of her salary as an intern, she was still housed, fed and washed properly.
“I’m quite mixed because I really loved this experience, I was treated well because I worked for Marriott, a hotel company. In my hotel, everything went well, despite the long working hours in the heat. It taught me respect for the people who work in this sector, especially in these environments.” Despite everything, Pauline obviously experienced ups and downs. “It wasn’t just easy times, for example you had to adapt to a completely different environment by changing countries, or you had to get used to the leadership style of all the managers from different origins.”
What memorable anecdote during your Erasmus in Dubai?
Pauline recalls that once she arrived in Dubai, she quickly realized that the city had more expatriates than locals. And for good reason, the population there is made up of more than 80% expatriates and immigrants. For the student, this was a positive point. “Working in an environment where there are so many different nationalities allows you to learn a lot regarding different cultures.” The other anecdote that Pauline remembers this time concerns transport. “There, everything is done by car, and the city is built for that.” Even though Dubai has a metro network, its residents prefer taxis to public transport.
What advice for an Erasmus in Dubai?
If there is one piece of advice that Pauline would like to give, it is to take the opportunity to travel. “Basically, I had a very specific vision of Dubai which did not tempt me at all. No one in my family wanted me to go there. I would never have gone to Dubai on my own.” Pauline therefore emphasizes the importance of making up your own mind and not necessarily always listening to others. She ends on a positive note: “What I learned is that the world is full of surprises and that you really have to step out of your comfort zone to discover yourself. I have grown so much and learned with this experience!”
For a few weeks, Pauline has now moved to Paris for the second part of her internship, this time in offices as a management assistant for a hotel in the French capital.
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