Leaving the UAE today.
Sitting at the gate, running entirely on caffeine, exhaustion, and a whole lot of gratitude. A year ago, I arrived in the UAE pretty sheltered and full of idealistic dreams. Safe to say, the city immediately humbled me.
Dubai threw me into the deep end of adulting. It showed me how unpredictable life can be, made me fiercely appreciate my family back home, and proved that I can actually survive on my own when my back is against the wall. It wasn’t all glitz and glamour, there were plenty of difficult moments, sleepless nights, and lessons that genuinely stung.
But honestly? I needed it. I came here soft, and I’m leaving with a much stronger mindset, a softer heart, and a masterclass in resilience. Thank you, UAE. You kicked my butt a little bit, but you gave me memories and growth that I’ll carry for a lifetime. 🤍
