Chung Chi College has been organising different study trips to broaden the global vision of students. One of the trips was “Journey to the Middle East: Exploring the Past and the Present of Dubai”, the College’s first-ever trip to the Middle East held between 21 and 29 December last year. During this trip, participants not only gained a deep understanding of Dubai’s customs and Islamic culture but also captured personal experience of Dubai and its surrounding regions, refreshing their preconceived impression of the Middle East.
The Mysterious Islam Culture
To learn about the doctrine and customary practices of Islam, participants visited three mosques and were arranged two Muslim guided tours. During the tour of Jumeirah Mosque, the staff introduced students to the building structure of a mosque, the Islamic calendar and Muslim fasting, and demonstrated the process of praying. Robes were also provided for fitting experience. All these deepened students’ understanding of the everyday life of Muslims.
The College also arranged for students to visit the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation for systematic and comprehensive knowledge of Islamic culture. In the museum, students learned the fundamental concepts and practices of Islam, such as the Five Pillars - Shahada (Declaration of Faith), Salah (Prayer), Zakat (Almsgiving), Sawm (Fasting) and Hajj (Pilgrimage). They also learned about the scientific achievements of ancient Arabians, including astrology and medicine, and the exquisite craftsmanship. Students were deeply impressed and soon admired to the Arabian wisdom after their tour.
Interweaving of Tradition and Modernity
There is always a stereotype of Dubai, mainly from the oil economy and the huge wealth it brought. To break with this, the study trip discovered the history and culture of Dubai, including a visit to the history museum and the historical district. At Al Shindagha Museum, students recognised the development of Dubai Creek, and how early Dubai people survived and started their trades by utilising marine resources. The group also visited the perfume house in the museum, and by experiencing different scents of raw materials such as deer musk and crocus, students traced the Emirati traditional perfume culture.
At the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, the group visited the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, on which a traditional windcatcher was built. Students enjoyed the Arabic dates and coffee and raised questions about local life to the centre’s cultural ambassador. During the conversation, the ambassador kept reminding students to stay ‘Open door, Open mind’, encouraging them to explore the world in inclusive sights.
The group visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.
Besides the above itinerary, the group also discovered the advanced side of Dubai. Students first enjoyed the skyline from the Dubai Frame, and at the Museum of the Future, the group observed how the people of Dubai brought future imagination into practice. Then, during the visit to the DWEA Sustainability and Innovation Centre, students recognised Dubai’s new energy development strategies, including the use of solar energy and the development of clean energy, which utilised the city’s geographical advantage. The group acknowledged Dubai as a city with full intellectual potential.
Collision of Thoughts and Ideas
Through the visit to the American University of Sharjah (AUS), students were able to observe the academic atmosphere of Dubai. Led by AUS students, the group visited the common study area, the library, and the canteen, then exchanged thoughts about campus life with local students, such as studying practices and hostel life.
Prior to hostel life, AUS students were more willing to spend their daily lives with their families, but just like the guests from Hong Kong, they also wanted to be exchange students and gain insights into foreign countries. The exchange session with AUS students gave the group different thoughts and was a valuable experience.
The group also visited the family of a Hong Kong expatriate in Dubai. Students grasped the opportunity to ask practical questions about local living, digital asset management, and other issues related to the educational system, life changes after migration, and government policies for attracting talents.
During the conversations, students broke with the stereotype of Dubai and formed a new impression – from a religious, conservative Dubai, to an international, advanced Dubai with a good reputation for the inclusion of global professionals and the development of digital assets.
The Middle Eastern desert presents a novel landscape and experience for students from subtropical Hong Kong.
Open Door Open Mind
This is a learning journey with intellectual and sensory delights. During the week, under a relaxed atmosphere, students visited renowned sites, exchanged ideas with local students and residents, and discovered the developments and potential of Dubai. Every scene in the mosques, the museums, and the boundless desert is precious and will become the foundation of future exploration.
At the Jumeirah Mosque, students learned about and experienced the rituals of Islam.
And finally, almost everyone on the trip recalled their imagination before arriving in Dubai and recognised it as naive. It is not possible to get to know a country or even a city by only sightseeing. Therefore, to explore the world, one should keep an open mind and reflect on what one has experienced, as right after this journey, another learning journey is about to begin.
Student Reporter Guo Sin Chun Christella
