Abu Dhabi Part 1: Marhaba!

I applied to many colleges, one of which is NYU Abu Dhabi, and the school wanted to interview me, so I was invited to visit the campus for three days. So that is where I am - on campus - spending this Candidate Weekend to get to know the school and potential classmates. Not to mention, the trip was entirely paid by the school!

So this morning, I got up early and headed to Fiumicino airport and do the usual routine: check in, then go through the bag check, and lastly the customs - when suddenly, the customs officer asked me a question: "Perché hai deciso di studiare in Italia?" (which translates to "Why did you decide to study in Italy?")

I talked about art, music, literature, Latin, food, anything that came to my mind, in hopes to please the officer, which made him laugh. He told me that if he had money to study abroad, he would never leave the United States. Different point of view, huh?

I knew in advance that a girl who is going to NYU Abu Dhabi for the same reason as me will be on my flight, so we met up at the gate and sat next to each other during the flight. Once we landed, we went through the customs, but one thing to note: their ceiling was covered in what I assume is gold. I guess they want to impress those who arrive in the UAE!

Following our escorts who picked us up from there, we gathered as a group and headed towards the campus. Because it was getting late already, we candidates ate dinner and spent the rest of the evening in the lobby, talking to one another and learning about various countries, a third of which I don't know where they are. Knowing that this school attracts such a diverse student body, I feel confident that this would be a great school for me, should I get accepted.

Meanwhile, my friend Liz from my home school Episcopal (who attends NYU Abu Dhabi and was the one who convinced me to apply) made a surprise visit with a cup of bubble tea in her hand! How nice of her :)

Going from Viterbo to Rome and then to Abu Dhabi was quite tiring, but this weekend is full of events, so no time to complain!

P.S. Marhaba apparently means "Welcome" in Arabic!