Student Spotlight: Dakarai Lanes in Qatar

What is one challenge you experienced during your first month? How did you overcome that challenge?

“A challenge I encountered in my first month here in Doha, Qatar, was not having an international SIM card. I was living off of free internet for at least a week and a half. My first night I literally had no way to contact anyone because of an internet outage at my dorm. If I was going to start going off campus and exploring the country I was going to need data. I asked some of the other international students how they were getting by and they showed me where to go and how to get myself a Qatar SIM card. Now that I have one, I’m able to go anywhere and know I’ll be able to to have a map or call an Uber.”

What similarities and differences have you experienced between your host culture and your culture?

“One of the main differences I have to adjust to constantly is the structure of the week. Here in Qatar, weekends are Friday and Saturday, leaving the work week to be from Sunday to Thursday. Honestly, I welcome this difference because Friday has always felt more weekend-ish to me than Sunday. The biggest similarity between the culture here and back in the U.S is how Qatar is also a melting pot of cultures from various other countries. So far, I have met students who have lived here for majority of their lives yet their families are from countries like the Phillipines, Pakistan, Jordan, and so many more.”

What are you looking forward to experiencing in your second month abroad?

“Now that I’ve really settled in, I think I’m finally ready to start checking off some items on my travel bucket list. There are so many cool places and delicious-looking foods I’ve seen on Instagram or heard about from my friends here. I can’t wait to get out and make some lasting memories.”