Submitted by Jacqueline Kumbatovic on the 2024 Winter CIEG program in Dubai …
Week 3 in Dubai
As we have just closed out our third week in Dubai, I cannot believe we are three-quarters through this trip. This week’s excursions included visits to the Global Village, Abu Dhabi, and Atlantis.
Global Village is a shopping, dining, and entertainment attraction where over 90 cultures are represented as themed pavilions where you will find beautiful handicrafts and delicious food representative of each country. Cultural performances and international music acts take place each night. There are also carnival and boat rides available. We eagerly explored all the cultures and sampled the foods of each region. It was interesting to see all the different areas of the world showcased in one park.
Our day trip to Abu Dhabi began with a visit to the Louvre, which is an art museum that explores the connections between civilizations and cultures. After lunch, we visited the Turner Construction Guggenheim Museum site, which was jaw-dropping. After learning about the project, we were given a tour of the construction site. It was incredible to connect what we have learned in class about international construction to what we saw on site. We then visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which is the UAE’s largest mosque. It was so beautiful and peaceful, inside and out.
To close out week three, we took a day trip to Atlantis, which is located on the Palm Islands. We enjoyed the Aquaventure water park, exploring every tower, and trying every water slide. We loved BlackOut, which is the tallest vertical drop in the Middle East. This was another great week in Dubai, and we are looking forward to week four! (Submitted on January 25, 2024)
Week 4 in Dubai
As our program concludes, the last week was filled with memorable experiences as we savored our final days in Dubai. We ventured to Kite Beach, a new and vibrant coastal area with numerous shops and delightful food. Additionally, we received our Certified Associate in Project Management (CAMP) certificates, which makes us eligible to take the PMI PMP Exam – Project Management Institute (PMI) Project Management Professional (PMP) exam. We had the opportunity to visit the site of the 2020 World Expo in Dubai, which was truly fascinating. Another highlight was our visit to the Turner International offices, where we met the CEO and Vice President, who presented Turner’s completed and proposed projects in the Middle East. We took a trip to the Souks, which are the traditional shopping markets in Dubai. Our farewell dinner was held at a high-end Iraqui restaurant with delicious food and great service. It is hard to believe this trip has concluded so quickly. This has been an extraordinary experience, and I am so grateful for the incredible memories and moments shared. (Submitted on January 30, 2024)