David Zdvorak is a Civil Engineering major who studied at the American University in Dubai. At S&T he plays on the Varsity Soccer Team and is involved with a fraternity.
David Zdvorak in Dubai
Here are his reflections on his experience abroad:
My experience at the American University in Dubai is unlike anything I’ve ever had before. I now live in a city that is a polar opposite of Rolla, where the tallest building is the Burj Khlaifa rather than Thomas Jefferson Hall. I live in a region that is often unfamiliar and somewhat feared by Americans, but being here has helped me understand the Middle East much better. The Middle East has a beautiful culture with great history.
That said, Dubai is still a city that is extremely multi-national. There are hardly any other Americans here. The local Emirates are a huge majority, but there are quite large populations of other Arabs, Hindis, Africans, and even British. Seeing the blend of these cultures is absolutely amazing, and I have gained international friends from countries I have never met anyone from in the US. Dubai is a bustling city. There are people interested in business and pleasure. There’s really opportunity to do anything in this city, as it has sprung up from the desert in the last 40 years. It is a very fancy, new, and safe city as well. People are very well taken care of and catered to, both in the city and on campus. And I don’t feel unsafe here in Dubai because it seems like everyone is watched carefully by security guards and cameras, laws are strict, and stakes are high, so the crime is low.
The AUD experience is very pleasant as well. The campus here has a nice feel and contains some beautiful architecture. My walk to class is about one minute, and the weather is always pleasant. It has only rained a handful of times, and during the day it can get hot, but in the evenings it’s quite temperate. The class sizes are very small and eventually the students in the same major really get to know each other and often talk together. That doesn’t mean they won’t include a study abroad student—my class is like a family that has adopted me for a short time. The teachers speak understandable English and are very interested in their subjects and do a good job. The campus student center is fantastic, there’s a mini mart for all basic necessities, the cafeteria is very affordable, and there’s even a hair salon.
Soccer fields at AUD
There’s a soccer field that has the Dubai Marina in its backdrop, quite possibly the most impressive soccer field backdrop I’ve ever seen. There are a lot of soccer fans and players on campus from a wide range of skill levels who are always willing to accept anyone into their pickup games. The campus location is also great as well. The campus is so close to the base of the Palm Jumeirah, which is probably the coolest coast in the world. Going out on the palm for a drive or a run is a special experience. The campus is also located right next to a Dubai Metro station, which is so convenient. This gives the whole campus easy and cheap access to places like the Dubai Mall, the Mall of the Emirates, the Dubai Marina, the soccer stadium, old markets, and much more. Overall, I’m so glad I came to Dubai and AUD because the experience is entirely different than anything I’ve ever had.
As a recipient of a Clinton Scholarship, Zdvorak had the opportunity to meet the former President