Choosing accadis Hochschule to study abroad
Whoever knows me knows that I cannot stay in one place for long. After I finished my high school studies in my hometown Zahle (Lebanon), it was time to take my first move to the capital, Beirut, where I finished my Bachelor’s degree and worked for 6 years. Nonetheless, I always felt something was missing I thus decided to pursue my Master’s degree abroad. I didn’t choose a country where I know the language or the culture. I wanted someplace new, something different, somewhere exciting, and full of challenges - and my choice was Germany. I cannot say it was easy, especially moving during lockdown in 2021 when the only exciting trip was to the supermarket. However, it got better and now I call Germany my second home.
Not only did Germany provide me with an exciting new adventure, but accadis Hochschule’s Digital Business Strategy graduate degree program offered me an immense array of new skills which will push my professional career forward. I opted for accadis based on its reputation and digitalization major, but in the end, the support and guidance I received was more than I would have expected. I learned about both the theoretical and practical aspects of digitalization, how these are applied in different international environments (aided by the international student body), and most importantly, the way leadership and management styles affect the efficacy of implementing digitalization.
Part of my studies included a mandatory internship with an international focus. Being the person I am, I figured it would be an opportunity to explore someplace new. Luckily I found an internship position that matches my studies in Dubai. I just started feeling stable and familiar with Germany and wondered whether I really want to move again? But yes, I did it once again and will never regret it.
My internship at AVAYA in Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates. The city is the financial and business hub of the Middle East, known for luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture, and lively nightlife. My internship experience started even before landing in Dubai. An Avaya representative provided me with helpful information on all practical matters together with valuable advice on clothing, culture, weather, places to consider visiting and other useful information. This all greatly decreased my anxiety.
When landed in Dubai, I was amazed by the city, its technological advancement, the buildings’ architecture, and the hospitality of its people. A couple of things that stuck out were the demography of Dubai – 90% of its residents are expats and laborers from abroad, making it one of the most diverse places on the planet. Another interesting aspect is how the government organizes businesses geographically by sector. This means the financial district, the commodities district, the media district (Media City), the Internet City, etc. The result is that you work with like-minded individuals thereby creating many opportunities for networking and career advancement.
My internship experience made my stay even better. Avaya employees were extremely helpful, and they made me feel very welcomed in their international “Home”. During this internship I learned more than I had expected, whether based on the tasks performed or the managers who dedicated their time to give guidance and advice.
I had an in-depth introduction to the world of Digitization and what the best practices to implement Digital Transformation are. The exciting part was when I benefited from my academic knowledge I had gained during my studies at accadis and applied it throughout my internship., I had a very exciting time during which I used to spend productive hours in the office with a much learned. After working hours, I used to benefit from the time to explore the city. Truly, everything is impressive when it comes to Dubai specifically and UAE in general.
To move is to grow
I would recommend any person that they should not fail to pursue the opportunity of moving to a new country at least once in their life. As hard and challenging as it sounds, it holds a great array of advantages. You grow differently when you meet new people and explore new cultures. The hard times that you might experience will definitely make you a stronger person who will know the true meaning of life.
As for what is next for me, I do not think I have had enough yet of exploring new places - whether for studying, living or working. I prefer to always stay on the move!
Roba Abou Rjeily, Digital Business Strategy M.A. 2022