It's complicated. (The ExPat Perspective)

I’m chilling at the Sulik home today.  They left early this morning and my flight leaves early tomorrow morning – like 2:20 in the morning early.  As I wander their now quiet house, occasionally I’m tempted to sing Que Sera Sera.  Some how, this grand house makes me feel like I’m Doris Day in The Man Who Knew Too Much. I think I’ll have to watch that film again – will be interesting to see what its like for the main characters as they navigate trouble in Morocco. 

Been listening to the calls to prayer.  Woke to them this morning at 4:45 am, and just heard the last round of calls – and its about 6:40 pm here.  Its interesting how my Yahoo! Homepage has a listing to the calls to prayer on the upper right corner.  I’ll miss this.

I confess when I heard my colleague Pat Robinson from Iowa State left for Saudi  12 years ago I thought she was crazy to go to a part of the world that I knew so little about.  How do they treat women there?  When Jeff left with his family for Education City a few years ago, I knew a little more, but not much more about this corner of the world.

A few more calls to prayer  –   They are beautiful.   

As Americans, we don’t know much. We see a smattering of news on the region. We couple that with stories of Muslims around the world.  We hear about a fanatic who is caught in a sting. We wonder for a woman facing a stoning in Iran – and it just confuses the picture more.

In some respects, I feel I understand a little more about this place. But in others, I’m troubled.  For so many in UAE and Doha, unless you are a minority national – and in Dubai that’s less than 15% of the population, you may not have residency. You may not own property. You can raise your children and your grandchildren and they will not have residency. They will still claim your citizenship generations to come.  And that’s if you are able to have your partner and children here.   

I was surprised in Dubai:  So much wealth. Where are the poor people? Where are the homeless? You don't see them.

To be here, you must be sponsored.  Usually by an employer. IF you make enough money that you can support them, you may sponsor your spouse.  A lot easier if you’re a male sponsoring a woman – but complicated for the man sponsored by his wife.  Met a couple today in that bind where the woman is sponsored but he has difficulty getting full time, sponsored employment.  But still, they’re pretty good all things considered.

 

For  the laborers, they come here from their own countries for better wages. But listen to the stories of the Dubai Taxi Drivers or look out the back window at the workers camps (which look a heck of a lot like the shanties in the townships of South Africa or the slums of India.  At least there are AC units on these buildings.)  

Some of the laborers here in Qatar get 6 weeks of vacation every two years.  Translation – they see their families for six weeks every two years.  Michelle is fine with the attention her children get.  The maintenance men and gardeners adore the children. She realizes that they may very well have a child of that age that they don’t get to see grow up – so she welcomes them.   

Rachel got to know our server at the Iranian restaurant around the corner:  Her husband died in a car accident.  In order to support their four year old, she left her child with her mother and came to Dubai.  This is the first time that Rachel has been away from her girls for so long – and its been challenging.  She cannot imagine making this choice.

And that is the privilege that we enjoy.  As Americans. As Westerners. As the Educated. 

Been reading the news here locally – interesting to read the comments too.  In Iraq (just across the Gulf) a cleric is calling for the closure of bars and liquor shops in Baghdad (even in conservative Qatar, there are ways of getting alcohol -  I believe a license is involved) and calling to resist the “ drift towards ignorance, corruption, lewdness, to make our society rot like the West."

Rot like the West?

On the one hand, I feel pretty safe here. But I’m an educated American. 

There are definitely a lot of pros to being in this culture, particularly in an educational perspective - but that's if you're lucky enough to get an education.  But I’m struggling to get my mind around it – there’s a HUGE gap between the haves and have-nots – and a lot of what is had by the haves is financed on the cheap labor of the have-nots. 

There is  a culture of education in this region on a model of rote memorization: Memorize the Koran.  But not too far from here, only the men are educated and they are only educated on the one sacred text.  And life is not very good for my sisters there.  

And if you’re spending so much time and energy on keeping half the population in place and maintaining the status quo (friends, this can apply to just about everywhere) – how are we really using our resources for the future?    

I remember a conversation I had with a colleague in South Africa. We had debated the pros and cons of Feminism.  He had argued that a traditional, patriarchal culture protects the women.  They marry, they have a security net of their husbands and families. As we walked back to our guest house, we saw a meter maid – a woman who’s job was to collect pennies for parked cars.  I looked at my friend: How’s the system working for her?  How’s the system working for women who don’t have the luxury of a committed partner?  How does it catch and support  the women when the men go away?  How does it work for the women we don’t see? 

I’m not sure that the ethical issues here are any worse than elsewhere. They are different.  

I hold to what I know- and believe the best hope is in education. Students can be transformed by education. (I was going to say Privileged Student - but I'm starting to think that's a redundant phrase.) They will have influence. They will lead.  Will they see?  Will they grant access?  Will they serve?

Or is education just an individual investment?

The reason many of these programs are here is certainly not only an investment in the individuals.  A common theme is an investment in the country and the region...and as is more apparent to this educator - an investment in the global citizen.

Still chewing. Still digesting. 

Education, Insha'Allah.

A Palace of Education

Greetings from Qatar, Doha.  I arrived Wednesday night. Navigating customs isn't such a big deal anymore.  I used to get nervous seeing all the guards, worried about the language, and sticking out as an obvious foreigner.  Now, I understand a little more of what that's about and the choice to wear a thobe or abaya can be as personal as my choice to wear my denim jacket. Okay - there's a lot more social and cultural pressure for their attire - but knowing more about it, it doesn't throw me. I'm welcome here in my denim jacket, capris and flip flops and I look for clues in the choice of accessories or lack there of to get a peak into the personality of the person over the counter.  One credit charge, a few stamps in the passport and I'm on my way to baggage claim.

I was greeted by friend from earlier RIT days - Jeff Sulik. He's a character - he loves his family, his friends and his students - and he really loves a good story.  December in the Doha - people are bundled up for the "winter", but we're dressed as if it were a cool summer evening - Jeff is sporting one of his famous fabulous hats.  We navigate my luggage through the crowds and we are on our way.

As we careen through the streets of Qatar, I remark that had I not been in the region for the past week and a half, I would accuse him of being a horrible driver.  Now I know he's just adapted to the Gulf.  Qatar will celebrate its national day next week and has just been awarded the FIFA World Cup for 2022.   The city is getting decked out to celebrate both.

Doha has a distinctly different feel than Dubai.  It almost feels more established: older.   Both cities are quickly building, reconstructing - but just at first blush, there's a little more of Qatar history that is visible. In Dubai, the old part of town was about 40 years old.  Here in Qatar,there are more shop fronts from the 70's that feel like some of the more interesting sections of a large metropolis. There's the museum of Islamic Art.  The skyline rises in the distance...and I'm in the care of a resident of Qatar.  Jeff and his family have been here for about 2 years now.

We arrive at his compound or complex after driving through a short patch of desert.  Once inside his home, I am stunned by the immense size of his home:  High ceilings, a living room over 4 times the size of my own... its stunning. He and Michelle have decorated it beautifully.  He reminds me that this is housing that is provided to him by his employer.  Extremely nice digs.

The following morning I meet the children, but its quick. They're a little tired and shy.  Jeff and I go for a little run around the compound and debrief about observations of culture and race relations in the region...I also haven't been able to run much, plus still tired with the last traces of jet lag and I'm trying hard not to beg for a walk so I focus on the conversation. Clean up, breakfast and off we go.

Most of the Sulik clan and I pile in the car and we head toward Education City.  A university campus is usually comprised of multiple buildings, each one hosting its own college:  A university of colleges.  Education City is a University of Universities.  Texas A&M , Virginia Commonwealth, Cornell, Northwestern, Carnegie Mellon, Georgetown, and  University College London have branch campuses on site.  The campus also offers a college for Islamic studies, as well as Qatar Academy for pre-school through high school, and the Academic Bridge Program which is a university preparatory program.

We drive onto the campus of Education City and we drive past a stunning sculpture, ceremonial area in white with water...

We pull up to Texas A&M's building. I'm not sure what I had envisioned, but it was nothing like this. One, this is the perfect building for Jeff.  Walking up to the grand entrance, you feel like you're in the middle of an Indiana Jones movie.  Jeff has a little of that Indiana Jones thing going on for him - not sure if its his wild adventures up in the great north of Canada or just that he liked to show up to staff outings (particularly ropes course day) in his Indiana Jones hat and I'm fairly sure he didn't bring a whip - maybe it was just the memories of the harnesses they had us make out of climbing rope - but as Jeff walks up to the entrance, I'm sure that there will be some treasure found in our day ahead.

Walking into the building I'm just floored by everything. The architecture is stunning. You have a sense of greatness with that touch of Arabic architecture - but in a completely contemporary way.  The more traditional themes you see in buildings is absent, but the grandness is there.  The best way I can describe it is if the architects of the pyramids had been able to go through modern training, meet up with a bunch of extremely ambitious Aggies and throw down a Aggie worthy building.  It's very impressive.

My eye was caught by a corner where the students had created a lounge space.  Apparently  there had been some furniture there but then it was removed. The students relocated a few cushions, purchased some material to lay down as a rug (which matched the cushions) and created a pretty authentic and welcoming space.  There were no students there but it had this energy that made me stop and take a picture of it -and Jeff filled me in on its history.

Many of the students were busy studying for finals, so the building was a bit quiet.


I met with Jessica, a hall director for the Qatar Foundation. Was great to see her again as we had met last spring in Chicago. The Qatar Foundation manages and runs the Residence Life and Housing program for Education City.  Its interesting to see how a multi-institution housing model works, and even more so to see how it works in a region where student affairs as a profession is new. Oh, and then  to see how all of this works in a conservative Islamic country.


Jessica showed me one of the student residences.  Here, there is a greater need to monitor the comings and goings of students.  Not for safety reasons, but I would say for cultural and accountability reasons.  Students and staff use a small device to check in and out of a building and parents who would like to monitor their student's curfews can sign up to get a transcript of these comings and goings on a monthly basis. However, the family is responsible to follow up with the student if the child does not abide by their family set curfew.  QF is just the messenger.

The former staff and faculty apartments that are being used for student housing are generous. While the students occasionally complain about a lack of space, space is rarely the real issue. Buildings are gender specific and there are restrictions on visitation and overnights. Certainly no visitation of men and women, but there are even restrictions on guests in your room: no overnights for friends of the same gender or families.  These policies coupled with the weather and facilities  make for some interesting challenges. The policies make it a little more difficult to get to know people in your community besides your roommate. The stifling heat and lack of air conditioning in the hallways further compound that problem.


The residence life program here is only about 3 years old.  So, while Education City has existed since 1998 and has provided housing for sometime, the residence life program is in its early stages with much growth ahead.  Talking with Jessica, we shared the basic (and what now appear to be universal) challenges of residence life, the unique aspects of student life in Qatar, and what it means to be part of a new program.

I snuck off campus with the TAMUQ (Texas A&M Qatar) staff for their holiday lunch.  We drove over to the Four Seasons for their lunch buffet. Big and amazing: the buildings, the service, the food - everything was over the top.   I felt very welcome and at home with my Aggie colleagues. 

In the afternoon, I met with Chris who has been with QF for several years.  We talked about its beginnings, its challenges and where it is headed and the impact that QF is having on life in this conservative nation.  As an example, he noted the images of Qatar being awarded the 2022 FIFA World Cup: One of the first times the Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and the Sheikha Mariam bint Muhammad Al-Thani have been photographed together  - here receiving the World Cup AND one of the first times they have been photographed in western, not national, dress. 

Chris gave me a virtual tour of the new housing that was being constructed for students.  The buildings will be LEED Platinum which is a particular challenge given the culture of construction in the region.  Sustainability is also a challenge in this region yet the design of the buildings and the grounds strives to generate and conserve resources.  You can get a sneak peek of  this facility here:  http://www.qf.org.qa/output/page303.asp

Our day on campus concluded with a tour of the Student Center.  It was great to get the inside scoop on design decisions (well, the co-ed prayer rooms was originally a good idea, but in practice...) and see the amazing facility.  Like everything at Education City, it would seem that QF is the gold and platinum standard.  We got some hints as to the reality of the construction of the facility (which is already delayed), but it was extremely impressive all the same. I believe it was designed for a campus of 10,000 which is about twice what the QF states as its goal for Education City!

The leadership of Qatar is transforming the region -  higher education will be a major vehicle to push that evolution.  Bringing these universities to Qatar is not about simply cutting and pasting knowledge as if it were some code.  And likewise, each university that opts to place a campus in the region will find a campus that will emerge that is similar yet distinct...just as much as each college within a university has its distinct character and culture.   I'm sure there must be some organizational development theory out there that addresses this...

Much of the vision here in the gulf comes with a quiet knowledge that what made these nations rich will not be here forever: Oil.  As I think of the challenges and resources of this region, I have to think about my community in Rochester and the vision of a wealthy man of his day:  George Eastman.  Eastman invested in many parts of our community  but in particular he invested in higher education.  Rochester continues to go through challenging times, and we did so before much of the nation did.  Yet, we're persistent and progressing in great part to higher education in our region.  Our universities and colleges have been an important part of retooling our workforce and helping to facilitate the transformation from big box companies to smaller ventures.

So, still digesting much of the trip.  Lots to consider. Lots of conversations to be had.

Really grateful for the opportunity to see higher education from this angle...and grateful for the support of many offices at RIT and the hospitality of the Sulik Family, Texas A&M and the Qatar Foundation.

More digesting .... a few more blogs to come! My new best buddy is home and wants to hang out so forgive the editing for now! :)

Breaking the ice -

Quick update:

I'm wrapping things up in the office today. Tonight I head on to Qatar to visit Education City.

Bhagya catches me and asks if I can introduce her and friends Amina and Dorsa to the study abroad students.  Of course! Funny - there's an assumption that the study abroad students are studying all the time and absorbed in their own worlds.  I assure the women that they did not come over 6000 miles just to hang out with each other: relationships is what it all comes down to!  Amina assures me they will it do themselves - they can do it! So, just in case, I head down to where some of the study abroad students are hanging out to poke them to meet the women...Amina, Bhagya and Dorsa squeal in protest - and I hear feet running behind me just as Amina tackles me. Kristin comes upon the scene and I ask if they've met - of course they have.  So, all four continue to the back lounge to meet the other students.  Moments later, I can hear things are going well. I'm almost worried for Michele back there that they're getting too loud...but not really.  This is awesome.  Waves of laughter roll across the first floor.  And just a few minutes ago, they all left in a pack - I suspect to grab lunch. 

Just a little encouragement, a little risk - and you might just make a new friend. 

Yay!

RIT Dubai - First floor meeting

I've taken a few days to write about this first meeting because there are some moments in your life that are so simple, but so profound. No rocket science, nothing special - just the simple things that happen in our residences across the US all the time - a new group of people, a few ice breakers and the sweet sound of excited chatter as people get to know each other.  I got back to my room a few hours later and just sat on the edge of my bed, amazed to have been a part of this meeting of students from around the world.

Then again, I just may be an overly sentimental person who geeks out over the work of residence life.

Mandip and I have been in training over the past few days and had talked several times about pulling this first meeting together.  In the states, a student sits through a first floor meeting or two before they become an RA, go through training and lead one themselves.  RIT Dubai has had students living together for only a quarter to date and much of Mandip's role has been helping with the administrative business of housing students.

At 8:30, I was trying to figure out how to order pizza.  This friends, is no easy task in the UAE. The person on the other end of the phone can't understand me and I can't understand him but we carry on this conversation like we both have complete understanding. C'mon - its just 4 pizzas. The plan was to have someone pickup some snacks - I really wasn't trying to impose a US pizza paradigm - but when snacks fall through - Pizza Hut delivers.  First, how do I dial out?  And which is the closest Pizza Hut?  And how much is this going to cost?  And how many do I really think will be there? The number doesn't work.  It's 8:40. Frustration rises. Try the main line - all calls answered in Arabic first - learning not to panic immediately when hearing Arabic - usually wait and hear "Press 2 to continue in English."  Okay - pizza should be here at 9:30. That will work.

9 PM  its Mandip, me and the study abroad students....where are the Dubai students? Just like any floor meeting - a little wrapping on the doors and soon, the room fills to 30 students. Before we can even start, Omar tells his friends to lead us in a prayer, as its the right and good thing to do. Good things must come of this if we begin with a prayer.   Inside I'm reacting in several ways - but we're in Dubai...and more importantly, this is being led by one of us... go with the flow and see what happens.  Mohammed and Tito protest a bit as if their mother is putting them on the spot.  Tito makes an awkward effort, but he's clearly not comfortable - or perhaps even a bit shy about this - Omar takes the reigns and stands.  He leads a short prayer asking for the blessing of Allah on all of us.

We are all anxious to get to know each other. The Dubai students have been waiting for the Study Abroad students, and the Study Abroad students likewise were looking forward to meet their Dubai classmates. 

I inflict my favorite but most effective name game  - many thanks to the study abroad students.  They know what's coming, they wince a little, but they are there with me.  Chose a word that describes you that starts with the same letter as your first initial AND do a movement as well - as you progress around the circle, each person adds to this crazy group dance, first repeating all the names, modifiers and movements that went before.  We struggle and strain to decode the names from different countries but in this group more than any other - we all help out.  How do you pronounce that? Again?  Lots of laughs - and we make our way around.  Even the young women who sneak in late are able to get through the whole list of names.

Next we split into threes and start learning about each other for a few minutes.  The room is LOUD.  Laughter, excitement - its pretty fantastic.  We come back together and we take turns introducing each other with the bits we just learned - and we realize we're all working in English, which may be a second (or third or fifth) language for some of our students - so for a few, we help them out...

And by now we're well over an hour in - and there's no pizza.  So, the planner in me is panicking.

We talk a little bit, brainstorm a little - and it's time to wrap up...

At this point, Maddie - an RA back in Rochester, presents Mandip with his ResLife Swag.  Recognizing his completion of training - as is tradition on the Rochester campus - he is presented with his ResLife gear.

We actually brought shirts for everyone, so pretty soon RIT shirts are flying around the room. I'm really glad I didn't pack the t-shirt gun!

RIT students continue to mingle - I think they're hoping for pizza too. I'm convinced that our pizza is being delivered somewhere in Timbuktu - but finally - over an hour late, the pizza arrives.  After the pizza disappears, so do many of the students and I'm pulling together my things and convince a few students to help me clear the pizza box debris. Mandip was clearly excited.  A number of students remain behind to chat and share their excitement about the meeting too.

I know, and I've been saying all along - what will emerge here will be unique to RIT Dubai.  It should be - yes, they're students. Yes, they're RIT.  But we're in the UAE. We're in Dubai. And we don't want to have a cookie cutter replica - because it would fail here. We have to meet the needs of our students - and they come to us from different places -  developmentally and geographically. There will be bumps along the way - particularly when you're in the first stages of opening a university - but the work of residence life is to help students settle in, make it their home and get to the work of learning.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

Sunday is the first day of the work week here in the UAE.  Well, actually, today for many is the day they will celebrate the Islamic New Year – however, RIT Dubai is working today and will close to celebrate on Tuesday. 

This morning I woke a little after 3 am. I knew that was coming after passing out at 8 PM on Saturday – again, not making ground in this jet lag war.  Wandered around the floor, found a laundry room with an iron and board and pressed some clothes, exercised, made a few calls to friends and family in the states, cleaned and got ready to catch the bus.  I wandered down and found two buses and nervously asked if one of them was going to RIT.  A student from Hariot Watt assured me we’d be stopping at RIT first. A wave of relief.   A few more students hopped on and we were on our way.  Etisalat Academy houses students from several area universities.  

I pulled back the curtain to remind my body that THIS IS DAYLIGHT TIME AND THIS IS THE TIME WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE AWAKE!!  

Must be boring to be a weather person here:  Sunny, no clouds, should get in the low 80’s today (28 degrees Celsius).  We drive away from the airport, past the IKEA (Yes , Kurt, there’s an IKEA between the residence and the campus) toward the Silicon Oasis. 

I watch the students who step off the bus with me – we’re all RIT living at Etisalat, and we exchange names and introductions.   It’s nice to see more students flowing into the building. Many students have been stopping by the office:  Fall quarter grades, academic decisions on the part of RIT, schedule changes – all will make for a very busy day for students and academic staff.  Amina R., Rohana and a few of the other young women caught up with each other outside of my desk - Amina greeted me out of my morning fog - she's a firecracker of energy in an abaya.  Elias and Sami gave me my Arabic tutorial this morning:

                Phrases may be by gender.

                When speaking to a male:  Keef halak

                When speaking to a female:  Keef halik

                Means:  How are you?  

                Sa’bah al kheer: Good morning.

It was a pretty intense day on campus.  Rachel and Tom took many of the meetings with students regarding academic action.   Students react the same here as they do anywhere.  Families have been here en force:  Mom, Dad, Grandma, Aunt…it’s good to see  an extended ‘conspiracy of care.’  RIT is a tough school and the students seem so young.  But I also see an excitement with the ‘study abroad’ students here.  A desire to make new friends will force a few students out of the comfort zones and I suspect by the end of the quarter will be leaps and bounds along in their confidence and competencies.

Hanan greeted and talked with families - with her role as Director of Admissions, she's often the first face of RIT to the students and families.  Just back from recruiting in Jordan, she started her day with a student who brought her a gift from his home country.  He wasn't sure about where to attend school in the fall and decided at the last minute, which made for a few extra challenges for enrollment. I couldn't help but overhear the protests of gratitude from the student, Hanan's 'You shouldn't have' - but when mom's desire to thank Hanan was brought up, the battle was won.  Not a bad way to start the day to have a student say you made a difference.

Actually cranking on a few projects so was shocked to see the clock approach 5: here I’m at the mercy of the shuttle bus and it’s the 5:15 or 8:15.  I caught up with Nina and Allison, 2 study abroad students who were laden with groceries.  They have their bearings – they’ve figured out the routes and exits, resources:  This group of students will pave new ways of getting around Dubai – whether where to get the groceries, find a bagel (we have good leads) or uncover resources and neighbors. I’m envious of the experiences that like ahead for this crew.  

Ran home, got the women mobilized to help me out and grabbed my disco nap for what I hoped would be a late night ahead:  RIT floor meeting at 9 PM!

My new second home

I have moved into Etisalat Academy.  After another exciting Taxi Ride (and an experienced driver getting frustrated after the well meaning efforts of my hotel trying to give him good directions failed - one did not need to be fluent in Arabic to translate the conversation on the phone - "Okay, at the exit, I take a right and then take a left and then?  ...what?  and where is she going?  Eti - Etisalat?!  WHY DIDN'T THEY JUST SAY ETISALAT!  I'm an experienced driver!  I know where Etisalat is!  Okay, Okay - thank you thank you..."

Context, in language, is everything.

Well, I've already been put in a room where the key didn't work, the closet doors were off the rails and was asked to move to a new room this morning.  But, given I could only manage about a 15 minute run around the campus (and I was able to run around the campus twice) - I accepted it as a part of a little morning workout.  I don't think most of our students experienced this.  Aside from the very minor inconvenience - it was terribly entertaining to bring security up on the women's floor.  The male students are terrified of even taking the elevator to the third floor - so I teased my escort this morning as he let me back into my room and opened my new room.

The rooms are nice - but have more of the flavor of the RIT Inn than a traditional student residence.  The furniture is equipped to accommodate a few suitcases.   I am actually much more comfortable here than at the hotel -

To be honest, I'm a little nervous about running out past the confines of the academy. Mostly because it is a pretty desolate stretch for a while - and then I think we'll hit suburbia. One of the US students is looking to find some running routes...so maybe I can talk him into exploring with me.  Hopefully the jet lag will slow him down - he's tall and has long legs. 

I made it over to breakfast this morning.  There was an assortment of everything - spring rolls, naan, olives, feta, flat breads, croissants - I am amazed at what they can do with mixed vegetables over here...delicious. And you could even get the French toast, boiled eggs, yogurt and oatmeal for traditional fare.   With the holiday weekend - there were a lot of families taking advantage of breakfast.  There were a lot of cute kids, and only a few students. 

And they serve South African coffee.  Well - that's my term for instant.  It is just easier to provide a big pot of hot water, tea bags, instant coffee and a carafe of hot milk than it is to brew coffee...so, I make do.  I'm normally one to drink my coffee black - but in this case, the hot milk makes the instant palatable. I must find the regional coffee snobs - and I'm not going to find it at Costa or Starbucks.  Where's the Turkish Coffee??

Finally slept through the night. Its beautiful this morning - the Academy is a little oasis.  Lots of birds and fresh scents coming from the many plants...it was really nice being out this morning. Cool, clear and sunny.  I really am here at an ideal time of year...The staff are also very nice here.  And the internet is  better here than at the hotel.  I finally called through skype and talked to family and colleagues at work.

By the end of my day here, Leah Wing and Deepika Marya will be on campus back in Rochester.  We've been working with Kevin McDonald and the Office for Diversity and Inclusion, as well as the Ombuds, SG, RLI, Provost's Office, CPD and Campus Life to bring them to campus.  This was all started by our Student Staff Training Team really thinking about what training we provide to our staff to best serve our students.  I know its a huge commitment of time by the staff - but I am hopeful that it will be a good investment of their time and provide some new ways of looking at the work that we do.  I contrast what is going to happen on our Rochester campus - with what we hope for our campus here in Dubai -


So, to my colleagues in Rochester - Thank you for helping out in this big initiative.  I know its a big risk that I've pushed you all into! I believe it will be a good one.

An international incident

Before risk management gets too excited - really - no one was hurt.

Yesterday - Spent half the day on the academic campus reviewing, poking and preparing. Being a stranger here myself, you realize how, well, foreign everything is.  If I get a stomach ache, what do I do?  If I run out of Benadryl, can I get some and how?  I tested the latter - was interesting to walk into a Booths (ladies, you may have seen their products at Target.)  I was referred to talk to the doctor.  She came out, asked what I was looking for and pulled a small, inexpensive box off the wall from behind her counter.  I guess the doctors can require a script or simply hook you up with what you need.  Many of our students here are international...some of them may live regionally - but have very diverse backgrounds. In speaking to two students today - I believe about 6 nations were represented - but they were united in their identity as Arab. But the point is, trying to figure out how to get basic needs addressed is important for our students.   Part of that is having the information available, and the other will be remembering collectively what has been done in the past.  With a new on-campus program - those are things that are in development. Providing live-on staff helps to facilitate that collective memory as the population changes.

In the afternoon, Mandip, Mohammed and I grabbed a taxi for the Mirdiff City Center mall to get supplies for move in.  Just some simple welcomes, door decorations and some snacks for the students that would arrive late at night.  We navigated the huge mall in search of basic office supplies - and ended up at Borders to grab some markers and colored paper. Then to brave Carrefour for munchies...we picked up some fruit, dates and pretzels - easy snack food.  Mohammed is originally from Egypt and says he loves RIT.  His sister and mother encouraged....or perhaps strong armed him to apply.  "I hope in a few years you'll be able to tell them they were right and thank them!"  He says he already has.

For a start up university, the message that keeps coming to me is the care and individual attention that these students receive made a difference in their decision to attend. There's bumps and things to work out as there is at any school.  I've made it my habit to ask - "Why RIT?"

I'm also reminded that its the unscripted and the unplanned that can make the most of an impression. I'm not sure if I made an impression on the guys - but they sure made one on me.   The discussions and the decisions...I wanted to shoo the men up while I waited for my ride home, but they insisted on hanging out with me.  Mo is also very keen on buying a motorcycle.  He asks every delivery man if he can ride their bike and even asked to buy a man's bike while we were pulled up next to him in the taxi. ( Mo does well bantering in the language that the person speaks - he's proud of his Hindi vocabulary).   Mandip and Mo are complementary leaders - its fun to watch them work together as friends.

Last night Rachel and I were exhausted, still struggling to adjust - but finally convinced each other to go out and forage for food.  We both had to start taking pictures- so we started snapping shots in the mall.

Early on in our stroll, we spied a Hello Kitty store and Rachel was so excited.  I offered to take a picture and told her to go inside the store to mug with Hello Kitty - a sizeable plastic replica of the bulbous cute kat.

Well, I might also add that Rachel and I are also dealing with dizziness and light-headed-ness that we attribute to jet lag.  Which translates into being a little clumsy at times.

As I take position to capture the photo, Rachel steps into the shop behind the display - and loses her balance.  She lurches forward, knocking over Hello Kitty who, like an enormous bowling ball, then takes out the child mannequin right next to it.

Rachel just took out the window display.  I panic and miss the shot, run into the store to assist.

Rachel at this point is about 12 shades of pink darker than anything in the store (which has a LOT of red and pink).  We make our humblest apologies and attempts to assist the fuming clerk who makes no eye contact and says nothing.  I think she manages to call for her supervisor as we sulk out of the store and proceed to speed walk to the other end of the mall - we'll go back and make sure Hello Kitty is safely back in position...Maybe after we buy a few scarves and veils at the souqs to disguise ourselves.

----

Mandip and several of the residents assisted in greeting and ferrying the Study Abroad students back to the campus last night.  They were up until 2 am getting the students in safely.  I think Mandip was exhausted and we agreed to wait until Saturday afternoon to continue work.  I will move in tomorrow to the halls - so we'll see each other despite the National Day and the weekend.

I spent the day on campus putting my notes and recommendations together, pulling some resources for Mandip and planning Saturday's time.  I'm using a computer at a reception area so I get a fair share of visitors.  The Dubai students were on campus today as Dania had worked to coordinate a service component with the Silicon Oasis's celebration of National Day.    A class of special needs students opened the day's celebration, followed by several RIT Dubai students performing a traditional dance.  Then, lots of dignitaries, the Sheik was there, cute kids in traditional clothing, an extremely large cake was cut and the students provided face painting, henna painting, and other activities to just hang out with the kids.  The kids were so warm and loved it - Ilias was thrilled when a student gestured him over to give him kisses on the shoulder.  Dania did a great job structuring a meaningful opportunity for the students to connect...hmm...future student affairs roles for her??

Elias and Hala kept me company at the desk for awhile - sharing their love of Arabic culture and their incredibly diverse stories.  Hala was wearing a beautiful traditional dress in magenta with embroidery and flowers...and cute uncomfortable shoes that she shed as soon as possible. Elias was the photographer that day - taking pictures of people trying on the traditional garments.  They giggled when I showed them my Berliz Arabic in 60 minutes.  Apparently - it was formal Arabic and not conversational.  I've got a lot to learn from our students.

The Study Abroad students arrived on campus for their orientation so I snuck out to greet them.  They said they felt fine and nodded - but have the tell tale signs of jet lag.  Tonight they were going to go for dinner near the indoor ski facility and Rachel and were to join them.

Except that my taxi commute home put me under.  Coupled with rush hour traffic and the tap-and-accelerate method of driving, I had to be poured out of the taxi and grabbed onto a hand rail to steady myself.  I was able to hold steady and got to my room and hoped a 10 minute nap would stop the nausea.  Rachel meanwhile was getting pulled into the work back at Rochester and called me to excuse herself from dinner, just after I told Tom I wasn't feeling well -

I passed out for an hour or so - probably not helping me in my fight to get adjusted to the time - but maybe I just need a night to be down and recharge.  I think I will be able to go to sleep tonight.

And I'm sure a few people in retail are happy the Rachel and I are staying in tonight...

Upside of jetlag

Managed to fall asleep. Staying asleep a different story.

This is perplexing as I tend to be very good at sleeping.

Woke before 4 am and decided this would be a great opportunity to go run around Dubai.  Little traffic, less smog - a little exciting too. I made my way out toward the floating bridge before 5 am.  And yes, the bridge is resting on the water.  Running at night you're more sensitive to the sound around you and I gasped as I heard something leap out of the water next to me.  I still don't know what they were, but there were a few of them. I'm guessing they were fish.  Then my imagination starts to go:  is there anything in the water or running on land that might enjoy eating a slow runner?  Dubai...hmmm...maybe a camel would spit on me?  I've heard of rogue camels getting stranded along the highways here.. The bridge was barricaded.  So, I ran around the barricades. Its nice having a bridge to yourself - felt the bridge give under my steps and came to another barricade - and water.  It was sort of surpising to see a bridge end, look across a few meters to see it pick up again. The center had been pulled to the side - I suppose to allow boat traffic on the creek.  I was a little disappointed as there is a park across the way that I hear is good for running.  So, I turned back and made my way into the Dubai Park Hyatt Hotel.  A gated compound, I made sure to wake the guard with a "good morning" as I ran in.  The roads were lit and I made my way in toward a golf club.  I meandered a bit on the paths, startled a few rabbits - who looked more like pets on the loose than wild rabbits.

As I finished my loop it was nearing 5:30 am - and the call for prayer began to sound across Dubai.  I ran back out on the floating bridge and could hear the call to prayer echo from all around me as the calls came from Mosques all over the city. I stopped at the end of the bridge to soak in the sounds.  As the last notes drifted off, I trotted back to the hotel and am about to start a new day myself.

From Pineapple to Academy

Rachel and I are adjusting to the time change...but we're pretty challenged with the poor internet connection at the hotel.  Rachel was up a good bit last night trying to take care of students back home and I suspect and hope she's out cold right now.  It's sort of maddening: you want to connect home, wonder if its your computer and keep hitting the buttons again and again.  Rachel has a lot of compelling student requests coming in this time of the year -

Well, yesterday we fought through the fog of jet lag and stepped on to the RIT Dubai campus.  It was pretty amazing driving onto the campus of the Dubai Silicon Oasis...and in front of you is the centerpiece building, that well, looks like an architectural pineapple.  As we stepped into the foyer, we were excited to see the signs of our campus.  Combined with seeing an incredible diversity of people bustling about, getting their coffees and off to their corner of the complex to work.  We met with Dr. Tom and Ms. Sara Radwan. The day started with a brief about a conference with two students.  Rachel and I smiled as we listened:  these two students could easily have been at the Rochester campus. 

The origin of RIT Dubai is a meeting of strategic plan and serendipity:  Dr. Mustafa Abushagur had learned of Dubai's interest in securing a university to feed its silicon oasis at about the same time a government official was scoping out Dr. Abushagur's presentation at an international conference. Serendipity - and a lot of negotiations, work and education for all sides.  In 2008, RIT Dubai opened its doors to graduate students and this past fall, RIT Dubai began to offer undergraduate degrees.  And with undergraduates - students are more likely to be in need of housing.  Approximately 25 students moved into Etisalat Academy - Etisalat being THE major cell phone provider in the UAE.  The academy was built to serve as a training facility for the company - but today provides a variety of accommodations from conferences to student housing.  RIT is one of several schools that are utilizing this facility. Tomorrow, 11 students from the US campus will arrive to learn for one quarter in Dubai.  Here, we refer to this group as the Study Abroad students.

Today I met Mandip. Mandip has been serving as an RA since a few days after he moved in.  He's a bit older than the other students:  He chose RIT after running his own web development business for a few years in India and decided that investing in his education would be the next best step.   Mandip showed me around the Academy- a gated compound with  plush landscaping.  We had lunch at the cafeteria - an extensive buffet reflecting the different flavors of Dubai:  Indian, Asian, and even a little Italian.  As we sat down, ate and got acquainted - I confess I was looking for the desert bar that our own Dining Services in the states is known for.  Finally, in one corner of the room was a table with sweet and reasonable treats.  Strictly for observation and quality purposes, I tried them all.  Most of it was fresh fruit, but there was also a sort of rice pudding and little citrus cakes that were refreshing and not too sweet.

To my beloved colleagues who worked so hard on developing our Training Learning Objectives for Staff - we started there - and it was a good place to start.  Pat yourselves on the back - it works abroad!!  I confess, I was very proud as we used the document to guide our conversation of where Mandip felt confident and where he specifically wanted assistance in developing his skills.  So, we'll be moving forward...he's going to be getting a little Sanford and Perry tomorrow.  Sanford gives an understanding of providing appropriate levels of challenge and support for growth.  I think that translates well into most cultures. I'm curious how Perry's Intellectual and Ethical Development might work on such a diverse campus.  We've already talked about a cultural preference to avoid conflict - but if we're working in a business, is conflict avoidance good strategy?  Looking forward to our chats tomorrow on that one. We're talking about our first program for all RIT Dubai students... should be Saturday night - (equivalent of a Sunday night for all you back home).  Next few days will be shuttles, jet lag and orientation for the 'Study Abroad' group.

Will be working on a few infrastructure items tomorrow morning at the academic campus - then tomorrow afternoon I'll be back at the Academy helping Mandip to prepare for move-in. (And on Thursday, I'll be moving in myself.)

I feel tired...and should try to sleep - but I also feel like its not going to happen. Sigh. 

Tisbah as-salaama (good night!)

The Tigers have landed

Quick post - we have arrived.  Rachel and I were floored at how beautiful the hotel is.  Gorgeous materials and we're in a pretty huge one bedroom apartment.  I suspect that hospitality is a big deal in Dubai. In this region, hospitality would mean life or death for a traveler.

Flight went well. Slept more than I should have.  Rachel will have the prime stories:  she traveled over with a number of the World Wrestling Federation who were on their way to Abu Dabi.  We also arrived to discover that there are 3 degrees of separation: my friend Harold took me to the airport and then went to a party to meet one of Rachel's friends who was hosting her daughter.  "Her mom is going to Dubai..." That mom would be Rachel - my body wants lunch and the time here is 11 PM. Hmm...to bed and an early breakfast...maybe a run first...

Funny - can't get my skype to call land lines.  Then a few sites I'm used to using - including Blogger - are defaulting to Arabic...so I'm randomly clicking on links hoping to click on the right phrase!! 

Alright - shower and some rest.

Tomorrow, we discover Dubai and meet our RIT colleagues!

Wow.  I'm in Dubai!

Welcome to Global Initiatives...

In the last week I've met some great people at RIT and learned about offices I hadn't had much opportunity to work with.  I would walk by those big banners in the union advertising our campuses abroad and sigh - thinking how great it would be to go see them - but never expecting to go. 

I had heard about James Myers - doing amazing things for RIT, directing the Center for Multi-Disciplinary Studies - and - he was a runner. In addition to a pretty demanding role at RIT , he coaches Team in Training - a group that helps people train for marathons and raises money and awareness for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  He works with slugs like me and teaches them how to run for a long time.  Clearly, I need to know this person.  Funny -  I know most runners around town by sight. On the occasions I saw him on campus - it was on an academic basis.  As  runners, we were out of context.  So, when he was listed as one of the names I should contact, I dropped him a note and asked to meet, and suggested a run. 

We caught up for a run a week ago and it was like old friends reunited after many years.  Some people may have golf to connect, but on the run you're shoulder to shoulder as if you're in the safe confines of a confessional - you already know you like the person next to you so conversation comes easily.  Dr. Myers quickly gave me the overview of our campus at Dubai.  I'm just recovering from an injury that had me off the run for far too long - so I was surprised we were able to cover so much information and complete our loop of the campus in a record time for me. Lots of work done for RIT and a quick workout in the bank: win - win.

On Sunday morning I had a phone conference with  RIT Dubai's Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, Dr. Tom Raco.  My mistake - why did I think we were talking at 8:30?  at 7:30 the phone rang and with a cup of coffee in hand I started to take notes.  I'll have to see if he can hook me up with the Lebanese coffee he enjoys.  We'll have a lot to do in a few hours when I meet him in person.

By Monday, I learned that there would be another traveling from Rochester to Dubai:  Rachel McGinnis is on her way now to work on advising.  We'll be surrounded by supportive RIT folks, but it's nice to know that there's another person who is just as jet lagged as you are!    Rachel and I connected on Monday afternoon and pulled in Anna Lombard whose title makes you wonder about this office: Global Initiatives.  (Cue Mission Impossible music). Anna connected me quickly with resources and information that has already made things a little bit easier. 

Tuesday I got a call from Lyndsey McGrath - cautiously inquiring about helping with a tutoring program in Dubai:  potential for creating meaningful connections between our students - engagement, friendships, common ground, and mastery of subject matter. Looking forward to exploring this with the students and staff. 

One, I've felt incredibly supported by these colleagues I've only met for the first time.  Everyone has just extended themselves to provide information and resources.  Two - there is a lot of excitement for what is happening at Dubai RIT. 

Well, next time I write, I'll be in Dubai.  Safe travels all -

Comedy in Translation

I tried to do the responsible thing a week or so ago and tell my mom what I was about to do.  For those of you who know my mom (probably through my stories of her), know that this was not a good idea. Now let me say that my mom's story is worthy of an Amy Tan book - yes, complete with her American daughter at times loving and wanting to strangle her at the same time. Mom met my dad in Korea where he was serving in the Army and was convinced to join him in the states where they went on to be married almost 40 years until he passed away about 12 years ago.  Mom always managed to be too busy to really master English and by the time I showed up, the parents thought it was best to raise me with only English. Today, that leaves a very limited vocabulary for the two of us to communicate in.  Couple this with my mom's firm belief that all bad things she sees on television (and she watches a lot of it) happens within a 3 mile radius of wherever I am... and things can get complicated.

But I was so excited, so honored and thought - come on, I'm an adult. I should be able to tell my mom.  However, trying to explain the location of the UAE... there are really no landmarks that my mom knows that will not elicit a reaction. Although, traveling to Philadelphia elicits about 90% of the same reaction from her.

I was a little nervous myself at the prospect of traveling to Dubai.  What's it like? Just how much will I be expected to cover up? How hot is it? What's it like for women to work there?  Do they have decent coffee? The more I learned about Dubai, the more comfortable I became with traveling there.  Funny, I'll get off a plane, hopefully find Rachel McGinnis (who should arrive an hour ahead of me) and the two of us will make our way to baggage and a shuttle to the hotel.


Since mom wasn't getting it, I e-mailed my brother and told him that I'd manage communications via Skype and save her the worry.  So, he went over to the house and told her I was going to India. 

I'm excited to get to Dubai and meet our students and staff there. In my preparations, I know to dress modestly, to be very diplomatic - never say anything critical of the governance or culture, and to take extra time to greet and get to know people (there's lots more than that but...I do have to pack).

Hopefully in a few weeks, I'll be able to show my family what it's like to be in that part of the world. Likewise, there are a lot of people at RIT who will be working to connect our Dubai and US students so they can learn more about each others' worlds...and maybe they'll have their own stories to take back to their own parents.

So, if my mom calls and asks if I'm in India? Just go along with it for now.

RIT Global Time

I was asked a few weeks ago by our Provost if I was interested in going to Dubai. I think I managed to say "sure." (I almost broke out in hives -was pretty excited to say the least!) Since then, its been a pretty crazy ride. It's tough to step out of your life on short notice: we've been working on bringing in a couple of speakers for a major training event that will happen while I am gone and the club that I've advised for the last 10 years will be hosting their annual fashion show. It's a little heart breaking...I wish I could be in two places at once. However, I know I am leaving everything in great hands. That's one thing about the work that we do: everything is on a LARGE scale and we have small armies that make amazing things happen.

And now, I have the opportunity to go to RIT's frontier: our newest campus in the Persian Gulf. Dubai. Unlike the scale I'm accustomed to working in, RIT's approach to its campuses abroad? Strategic and lean. I'll be working with a new program and working with it's first reslife staffer.

I've always been fascinated how all of us in higher education suffer a bit from the Rodney Dangerfield "I get no respect" syndrome. I think that's where my interest in the origins of student services and organizations comes from: Why do we do what we do? Why is what we do important? How doe we articulate our role and impact to others? My dissertation research examines the impact of community college residence halls. Residence halls on community college campuses usually have more infrastructure with an existing campus and student services. RIT Dubai began in 2008 with graduate programs. In fall of 2010, we opened our campus to undergraduates. About 25 students live "on campus" - at a housing facility 20 minutes from campus. In a few weeks, they will be joined by 11 students from the RIT USA campus.

If I weren't so busy (and a little tired right now!) preparing - I might be nervous. But, no time for that. I'm excited. I'm grateful for my connections and experiences with the Association of College and University Housing Officers, International. It's been interesting coordinating meetings with colleagues that are 8-9 hours ahead. Had a meeting with our VP for Academic and Student Affairs on Sunday morning - I thought we were at 8:30. Phone rang at 7:30 AM. Fortunately, the coffee was ready. I've been warned that it will be tempting to keep a foot in both time zones - which is possible thanks (or no thanks) to our technology. Doing my best to put things in order here so I can focus my limited time in Dubai ON Dubai.

Got a call today inquiring about helping to set up a tutoring program in Dubai. Might be a way to structure interaction between the US students and Dubai students - but also want to make sure that its appropriate in what we're asking of students too - there's an opportunity in there for us to figure out.

Off to read a few of the "travel guides" before bed. One more day on campus to scramble preparations, take Bo (my old man and Corgi) to the "vacation resort for pets" and also prepare for Thanksgiving on Thursday.