Week 1: Day 0

Traveling To Dubai

The students from Syracuse University traveled from JFK International Airport in New York City on May 16th. The flight took a twelve and a half hours on Emirates Airline. With very comfortable seats, and excellent entertainment systems the flight sped past. SU students arrived on Saturday morning in Dubai, where they were picked up by Mr. Ahmed Shabaany, the head of the HR Department at the Dubai Contracting Company.

As well, the students from the Lebanese American University traveled from Beirut International Airport on the 16th of May and landed safely in Dubai Airport on time. 

Both the LAU and SU students checked into the Dunes Hotel Apartments Al Barsha. Mr. Abdallah Yabroudi welcomed them all and introduced them to Dr. S. Clemence and his wife Mrs. Carolyn. 

The students then spent the afternoon unpacking and buying necessary supplies for their new apartment from the Mall of the Emirates located nearby.

Welcoming Buffet Dinner

At 7:00pm, a welcoming dinner was held at Sloane’s (Grosvenor House Hotel), where the students of both universities were gathered along with Mr. A. Yarbroudi, Mrs. and Mr. S. Clemence and the DCC staff who will be accompanying the interns during their one month journey. Mr. Sam Clemence opened the dinner by some engineering related jokes to break the ice and make the students feel at ease. Then Mr. Clemence introduced each member of the DCC staff and opened the floor for the interns to introduce themselves. A delicious buffet followed where the interns and the staff mingled and got to know each other.