Abu Dhabi Week catches up with some of the UAE’s brightest young talents to find out why they chose to study here and which courses grabbed their attention

With a fleet of new universities opening their doors to the UAE’s brightest young minds, we thought it would be fun to catch up with a few students to find out how, through their studies, they are hoping to make their mark on the world.

New York Film Academy

Name: Alexandra Dimofte
Where are you from? Romania
How long have you been in the UAE? Since February 2011
What course are you doing? Filmmaking (one year)
Why did you choose this course? I was in Australia and I intended to stay there but I changed my mind. When I was in Australia, I made friends with people from the UAE, that’s why I became interested in coming here.
Why did you choose this academy? It had good reviews online. The course offered here is an active, hands-on programme. It perfectly combines theory and practical work. Here, you can actually do what you want to do; you can put your own vision into a movie.
What is your favourite thing about your course? I love studying camerawork; lighting, angles and imagery.
What career are you working towards? I want to work in television.

Name: Ibrahim Al Khemairi
Where are you from? The UAE
What course are you doing? I just completed the one-year acting programme that’s accredited to my degree. I’m doing a BA in Fine Arts (Acting). I’ve completed one-and-a-half years here in Abu Dhabi and I will do two years in Los Angeles. I’m going to LA at the end of February to continue my studies.
Why did you choose this course? I chose it because it fits well for what I want to achieve in my life. It’s hands-on and practical, so you really get into the game of acting.
Why did you choose this university? First and foremost, it’s supported by the Heritage and Culture Department. It was a source of comfort, that it’s backed by a government entity. In addition, I wanted a course that I could channel my creative energy into.
What is your favourite thing about your course? Waking up every day and knowing that I can come to this amazing, creative place. It feels like another home. The people here are so friendly and helpful.
What career are you working towards?
I want to be a professional actor. I do have my sights set on a statue called an Oscar! I believe that if you apply yourself to what you do, you will succeed.

Name: Adrien Barshovi
Where are you from? Switzerland
How long have you been here? Almost five years
What course are you doing? Filmmaking (two years)
Why did you choose this course? I love films, and my parents had moved to Dubai so I was in the country. I figured it was the perfect opportunity to study.
Why did you choose this university? It was recommended on the internet. I visited it to see what it was like and I was motivated to study here.
What is your favourite thing about your course? Editing, directing actors and the challenges of transferring the written script to moving image on screen.
What career are you working towards? At the moment I’m working here in post-production as a supervisor and editing teacher. Ideally I would like to work my way up and become a director.

Name: Sa’d Aldin Alkharouf
Where are you from? Palestine
How long have you been here? Five months
What course are you doing? Filmmaking (one year). I have already completed the filmmaking four-month course.
Why did you choose this course? It’s interesting and it’s all to do with telling stories.
Why did you choose this university? The course offered here is intensive and we study practical filmmaking immediately. I wanted to develop my skills.
What is your favourite thing about your course? It’s far from routine and every day is different. We are always meeting new people and hearing new stories. Here, people don’t care about your background; they just give you the camera and let you get on with it.
What career are you working towards? I hope to be a director one day.

Name: Juna Amsler
Where are you from? Switzerland
How long have you been in the UAE? I just arrived today! It’s my first time in the UAE so everything is new for me.
What course are you doing? Filmmaking (one year)
Why did you choose this course? I always wanted to make films and I’m interested in Arabic culture. When I found this on the internet it seemed perfect because I could combine these two interests.
Why did you choose this university? They offer a one-year programme. Normally filmmaking is a four-year course.
What career are you working towards? My dream is to be a film director.

 

Université Paris-Sorbonne

Name: Hassan Al Redaini
How long have you been in Abu Dhabi? Entire life
Why this University? It was a chance for me to experience a new language, new university and it was a new opportunity to discover new people from all different cultures.
Course studying? International Business and Languages
What career are you working towards? I chose this because it touches everything, so after I graduate I will choose according to what I like and pursue a masters.
Favourite thing about the course? It’s very flexible, it gives you an introduction to many subjects.

Name: Abdulaziz Al Shamsi
How long have you been in Abu Dhabi? Entire life
Why this University? It’s an old university and the best in France. I chose it because it is here in Abu Dhabi and I wanted to learn French.
Course studying? International Business and Languages
What career are you working towards? I would like to work in an embassy in France or Italy to serve my country and improve
my languages.
Favourite thing about the course? The languages and the cultures, we have more than 60 nationalities so we get to meet different students from all over the world.

Name: Jalal El Bezzari
How long have you been in Abu Dhabi? Three years
Why this University? It has always been my objective to go to the best French university.
Course studying? Economics
What career are you working towards? Financial Analyst
Favourite thing about the course? Finance, because my father is a financial analyst, I like studying this.

Name: Batoul Al Absi
How long have you been in Abu Dhabi? I was born here
Why this University? It’s my passion, simply. I never learned French and I wanted to, so I switched universities after one semester. I am also studying German.
Course studying? Business and Languages
What career are you working towards? I did an internship and in the future would like to do administration/HR or to do work in translation.
Favourite thing about the course? I don’t like long hours! We do various courses and I do like that it’s varied and challenging.

Name: Rawdha Al Meraikhi
How long have you been in Abu Dhabi? All my life
Why this University? Because it is a prestigious university and so instead of travelling all the way to France they came here to Abu Dhabi instead. It’s different, unique, if you want to be a unique student you have to study here.
Course studying? International Business and Languages (LEA)
What career are you working towards? I’m planning to postpone my career, I want to do my masters and then decide. I am still in the process of exploring.
Favourite thing about the course? It’s a little bit of everything – law, civilisation, international affairs, economics, we do everything, I never get bored.

 

Abu Dhabi University, Khalifa City

Name: Raed Al-Mesbahi
Where are you from? Yemen
How long have you been in the UAE? Since birth
What course are you doing? I’m doing a BBA in Accounting.
Why did you choose this course? I love numbers and business. My family plans to run their own business. My siblings are studying finance and I’m doing accounting.
Why did you choose this university? I had a choice to study outside of Abu Dhabi but I wanted to stay here because I’ve lived in the UAE since I was born. ADU is the best university in Abu Dhabi.
What is your favourite thing about your course? Numbers!
What career are you working towards? I want to open a family business in finance or accounting. I’m planning to become a CPA (certified public accountant).

Name: Fares Qaid
Where are you from? Tanzania
What course are you doing? Architecture
Why did you choose this course? It’s a prosperous major. It’s very enjoyable, I find other courses boring, but in architecture there is always something to learn. It’s hard work, but it’s worth it!
Why did you choose this university? Most of my friends came here and recommended it, so I wanted to see what it was like for myself.
What is your favourite thing about your course? It’s fun. It’s all about creativity and thinking. It’s hard work so it fills your time.
What career are you working towards? I want to be a landscape gardener.

Name: Hani Abbas
Where are you from? Palestine
How long have you been here? I was born here 22 years ago
What course are you doing? Environmental Science
Why did you choose this course? This course leads to many opportunities as it’s new. I’m going to be the first graduate in ADU and among the first environmental science graduates in the UAE.
Why did you choose this university? I think that it’s the best university in Abu Dhabi, it’s close to my home and
the fees are quite affordable compared to other universities.
What is your favourite thing about your course? I founded an environmental club called EARTH and the university helped me with this. Also I get to do a lot of research on campus.
What career are you working towards? I want to specialise in water resource management. I’m doing a lot of research and I’m working with the Environmental Agency Abu Dhabi at the moment.

Name: Amnah Zakareya Al-Nammi
Where are you from? The UAE
What course are you doing? Computer Engineering
Why did you choose this course? I love to work with computers and technology, and I want to be an engineer.
Why did you choose this university? I went to another university then I changed to come here. I felt like I really found myself here.
What is your favourite thing about your course? I love doing practical work because it’s so important to develop these skills. When I graduate and apply for jobs, my success will depend on how strong my computer skills are.
What career are you working towards? A computer engineer in an established company or with the government. I’m also considering opening my own business.

Name: Hind Mohsen
Where are you from? Abu Dhabi
What course are you doing? A BA in Environmental Science
Why did you choose this course? It’s a new course and I believe that there’s a need for it in the UAE at this time.
Why did you choose this university? This course was only available here.
What is your favourite thing about your course? During high school I was bad at science, but thanks to my course I’ve become a lot better and I’m keen to learn more.
What career are you working towards? I would like to work in engineering conservation, I’m interested in Masdar.

Name: Affa Manal
Where are you from? Pakistan
How long have you been in the UAE? All of my life.
What course are you doing? Accounting
Why did you choose this course? One of my relatives told me about it. In addition, I’m interested in numbers.
Why did you choose this university? There are a couple of reasons; my family is here, it’s in the city and it’s a great business university in the region. ADU often hosts career fairs so it’s great for making contacts.
What is your favorite thing about your course? My instructor is amazing. I feel really interested in my subject because
of her.
What career are you working towards? Accounting. I believe that I’ve got what it takes to be a manager.

 

Name: Ali Omar Al Amri
Where are you from? The UAE
What course are you doing? I’m doing accounting major and finance minor
Why did you choose this course? I think that these two subjects really complement each other.
Why did you choose this university? I was studying in Sharjah when I decided that I wanted to come back to Abu Dhabi. I chose ADU because it’s the best university in Abu Dhabi.
What is your favorite thing about your course? Applying the theoretical knowledge that we learn in class. I enjoy seeing what I learned in class, being demonstrated in front of me.
What career are you working towards? Auditing