Whenever I travel abroad and tell people that I study in Sharjah the responses are typically along the lines of “Sha-what?”, “where on the map is that?” and, my personal favorite, “I heard it’s pretty cold up there.” After I have had my fun, I casually add that it’s a city right next to Dubai and watch their faces light up in recognition. Over the past 10 years, Dubai has become globally famous for its unmatched glitz and glamour; for its skyscrapers, gigantic shopping malls, Lamborghini police cars, pet tigers and gold vending machines. I am usually asked if it truly lives up to its reputation as one of the most fabulous cities in the world. My answer is always yes and no. Yes, because I have been to the world’s tallest tower, shopped at the world’s biggest mall, and watched the world’s most expensive fireworks display live. No, for exactly the same reasons. These activities are only fun while they last. This type of life is superficial and at times unfulfilling. It encourages mindsets that value material things over human bonds. In a city home to 200 different nationalities,…
