At the iconic address of One Sheikh Zayed Road, a blend of fashion and design students, tutors and their friends met at the prestigious Okku restaurant. The networking event marked the start of the University of the Arts London’s short courses program in Dubai this October and next January and May. It was also a get together event for all the alumni students in the region.
My undying nostalgia for London town and my deep desire to network, were great motivators for me to make an effort to attend the event although I wasn’t feeling at my best on that day.
As I was waiting to catch a bus to take me to the nearby mall to get my hair done, I met a lady who shared my job struggle story. We decided to walk together to the mall, since the driver was nowhere in sight…That’s when I found out from her that she was going for a job interview at the mall but was suspicious and a bit afraid as to what to expect. Later she told me how she was physically visiting random commercial towers in Dubai in the efforts of meeting with employers and submitting her CV. On that same day, she had been to the airport free zone doing the same thing. She was on a visit visa to Dubai, and had no time to waste. She had heard of many stories about ladies from her country who had flown to Dubai for short periods of time in search for work, but were not successful and had to go back to their homes eventually. She also mentioned how her brother thought that she was courageous for trying in more assertive and unusual ways.
For me, trying to personally submit my CV to companies had been a thing of the past. Now though, I am practicing my usual wit in the form of attending random events and networking with strangers!
The University alumni reunion was no exception. I specifically felt my bravery as I stepped into the restaurant full of random faces standing or sitting in groups and conversing over drinks. I was alone and it was up to me to start a conversation with an anonymous person or group of people. I would say I did pretty well and managed to network with a few people and make a new friend who shared my struggle to make her way in the fashion world. I of course was more focused into publishing and lifestyle journalism.
Since I only had a light salad for lunch that day, the eggplant and salmon fillet hors d’oeuvres that were being served weren’t enough to fill my food deprivation and I ordered some pieces of baked salmon sushi rolls later that evening.
Finding the individual from the University that I was advised to contact upon arriving at the event wasn’t a piece of cake, or in this story – a piece of sushi roll! But I managed to locate her by the end of the night. It turned out that she was the alumni director from Chelsea college of design. However, she did introduce me to the marketing person from London College of Fashion. Whom I had already exchanged e-mails with prior to the event to inquire about a communication short course being taught in Dubai. The course is scheduled for next May and I plan to take it.
Yes, even after all this time trying to make it in the magazine editorial world, and not quite landing a full-time role, I am still determined to make it, and will not let go of my dream career or listen to everyone’s suggestions to try other fields. Mostly including my dad’s.
We all know that achieving any dream or goal is not always easy. The journey will be long. There will be numerous obstacles of all types and sizes. But the most important aspect of the road to achieving your goals is the learning process and the development and personal growth that comes with it.
My parents and the people around me might not see any results, and would think that I am simply wasting my time and energy. But I look at it differently. I look at the countless ways in which I have developed, and the amount of things I had learned along my journey.
Maybe my comfort zone could use a little more expansion. Maybe that’s when I will reach my goal. When I do though, it would be through the long and proven track. And I would have an equally long and solid story to support my accomplishment.
Who knows? maybe I will be the famous author of the best-selling book: “How to Make it in Dynamic Dubai; a Step-by Step Guide” 🙂
Have a look at some pictures from my nostalgic night or what I like to call: a piece of London in Dubai.