Despite current uncertainties, interns from around the world are opting to remain in the UAE.
Dubai: While international headlines highlight regional tensions, a different narrative is emerging in Dubai.
For many international students, the UAE is not a place to leave in uncertain times but a destination to stay, learn, and grow. Their choices reflect confidence in the country’s systems, leadership, and opportunities.
Gulf News spoke with students currently interning in Dubai, who explained why, despite pressure from their families and global concerns, they have decided to stay.
Choosing growth over comfort
When the conflict began, Diego Hierro, a student from Spain, faced a familiar dilemma: return home to reassure his family or stay and continue his journey. He chose to stay.
“I arrived in Dubai just a week before the events unfolded, but I knew that going back home would leave me unsatisfied. I came here with a clear purpose and was determined to see it through, no matter what,” Hierro told Gulf News.
For Hierro, the experience has become more than just an internship—it has been a personal test of resilience. He believes that true growth comes during moments of uncertainty, and staying in Dubai has given him the opportunity to confront that challenge directly.
“The UAE has pleasantly surprised me. What is often portrayed in Europe doesn’t fully capture the reality here. When I arrived, I saw a highly organised country that genuinely cares for its residents and visitors.”
Hierro added that continuing his internship in the emirate has given him fresh insights, not just into service, but also into leadership.
“It is a country that aims to grow and succeed, and I genuinely want to be part of what they are building. Despite everything, I feel safe knowing I am in a place where leaders truly care and prioritise safety.”
A calculated decision
Meanwhile, Zhasmin Kuatova, a student from Kazakhstan, noted that her decision to stay was more strategic than emotional.
“The choice was about stability and long-term impact. Considering the structure, security, and how situations are managed here in the UAE, staying felt like a wiser option than relocating elsewhere,” Kuatova explained.
She emphasised that Dubai provides “structured stability,” describing it as an environment where systems continue to operate smoothly even amid external pressures.
“Safety isn’t just the absence of risk—it’s about how systems are managed. This experience has been very real and practical. It’s not something you learn from textbooks; it’s about decision-making, risk assessment, and understanding how global events can affect careers and industries.”
Although Kuatova’s university offered new placement options, she chose the path that made the most sense for her—and staying in Dubai was the clearer choice.
Finding safety and belonging
For Alexandra Lourenco, a student from Portugal, the decision to stay has been driven by the sense of belonging she has discovered in the UAE.
“In less than six months, Dubai became home. The UAE embraces everyone and protects them regardless of where they come from, and that’s why I decided to stay. The feeling of being welcomed in a country that’s not yours is priceless,” Lourenco shared.
She emphasised that safety in the emirate is not just a policy—it’s a lived, everyday reality.
“I get home safely every day without having to look over my shoulder when walking at night, even in dark streets, especially as a woman.”
Despite the current circumstances, she has noticed a striking difference between global media portrayals and daily life in Dubai.
“People here continue to live their normal lives. That’s what makes this city special—they don’t give up. They always find solutions and emerge even stronger.”
The reality in Dubai
What unites these students is not merely their choice to stay, but the reasoning behind it. They stress that resilience is not just a slogan—it is a lived experience shaping how they think, work, and plan their futures.
In a world where uncertainty often drives people away, their stories show how challenges can be transformed into opportunities for growth in the UAE.
For these young professionals, Dubai has become more than an internship destination—it is a second home they choose to remain in.
