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!