"Salam!" from Doha
"Peace!" It's such a nice greeting, don't you think?
I think it will also give me a tidy structure for recapping extremely busy days like today. I'd like to tell you all about:
Our next stop was the Souq Waqif, an enormous marketplace offering everything from handcrafted stringed instruments to heavenly spices to . . . well, more falcons. But these were of the feathered variety, rather than the bejeweled version above.
We met this fellow leaving his regular check-up at the Souq Waqif Falcon Hospital. He still seemed a little loopy from the falcon anasthesia. (I swear I'm not making that up.)
Questions I asked:
Like I said, there were a bunch. But some of the most notable ones had to do with processes for students who wish to study at TAMUQ and enroll in some courses at the other branch campuses in Education City (hint: there are lots of steps, but also some really great people to help with the process), as well as the types of courses that might be available to English majors interested in spending a semester in Doha. You'll be hearing details about the answers to these questions soon!
Other, less universally fascinating queries: "How in the heck do I use that thermostat/shower faucet/outlet adapter???" and "Can you spell that for me?"
Things I learned:
Most importantly, I learned about the basic timeline for students interested in coming to TAMUQ through the existing College of Engineering exchange program, and how those processes might also play out for our students.
I also heard quite a bit of Qatar/Doha history, including some of the policies that paved the way for the fabulousness that is Education City. It's really interesting stuff.
I was shocked to learn the going rate for a "prime" license plate number, such as "888." (Fun fact: I can say with confidence that it's more than I'll probably ever spend on a house.)
And, I'm happy to report, I did eventually figure out how to use the thermostat. And the shower. And the outlet adapter. I think.
What I ate:
I found the dining options both on and off campus to be really eclectic. Everywhere we went had a variety of choices: from salads to spring rolls to tandoori chicken to pasta. Even the pickiest eater could find something appealing around here.
Also, coffee. Lots and lots and lots of coffee. (Jet lag is no joke, y'all.)
People I met:
My first meetings were with the outstanding team in TAMUQ's Study Abroad program. Eric Wilson and Maiken Sparshott take excellent care of the students, including our own Texas Aggies, visiting the campus for a semester or a year abroad. Additionally, they provided me with the aforementioned lots and lots of coffee. In other words, I love them.
I also had the pleasure of meeting a sophomore chemical engineering major named Byanne, who was kind enough to guide my TAMUQ campus tour. Byanne is a U.S. citizen whose parents moved their family to Doha about 10 years ago, so she has a pretty interesting perspective as a sort-of local who is also technically an international student.
Finally, there was Jamal. Maiken has crowned him the best tour guide in Qatar, and I'm inclined to believe her. We'll be hanging out with him again a little later in the week.
Phew!
This day just flew by, and I know the rest of the week will, too. I'll leave you with this picture of the downtown skyline as seen from the Museum of Islamic Art, just 'cause it's pretty.
I think it will also give me a tidy structure for recapping extremely busy days like today. I'd like to tell you all about:
- The amazing sights I Saw
- Some of the (many) questions I Asked
- Interesting things I Learned
- Some tasty stuff I Ate
- The wonderful people I Met
Here goes!
What I saw:
Today's activities included lots of opportunities to get acquainted with the area: a TAMUQ campus tour, an Education City tour, and a Doha city tour.
Education City boasts beautiful spaces like the garden pictured below, as well as excellent academic, dining, recreation and fitness facilities. Compared to the main campus, everything seems really un-crowded.
The city tour included a stop at the Museum of Islamic Art, which includes many really fascinating historical pieces. As our tour guide Jamal predicted, my favorite part was the jewelry exhibit. Check out this falcon:
Our next stop was the Souq Waqif, an enormous marketplace offering everything from handcrafted stringed instruments to heavenly spices to . . . well, more falcons. But these were of the feathered variety, rather than the bejeweled version above.
We met this fellow leaving his regular check-up at the Souq Waqif Falcon Hospital. He still seemed a little loopy from the falcon anasthesia. (I swear I'm not making that up.)
Questions I asked:
Like I said, there were a bunch. But some of the most notable ones had to do with processes for students who wish to study at TAMUQ and enroll in some courses at the other branch campuses in Education City (hint: there are lots of steps, but also some really great people to help with the process), as well as the types of courses that might be available to English majors interested in spending a semester in Doha. You'll be hearing details about the answers to these questions soon!
Other, less universally fascinating queries: "How in the heck do I use that thermostat/shower faucet/outlet adapter???" and "Can you spell that for me?"
Things I learned:
Most importantly, I learned about the basic timeline for students interested in coming to TAMUQ through the existing College of Engineering exchange program, and how those processes might also play out for our students.
I also heard quite a bit of Qatar/Doha history, including some of the policies that paved the way for the fabulousness that is Education City. It's really interesting stuff.
I was shocked to learn the going rate for a "prime" license plate number, such as "888." (Fun fact: I can say with confidence that it's more than I'll probably ever spend on a house.)
And, I'm happy to report, I did eventually figure out how to use the thermostat. And the shower. And the outlet adapter. I think.
What I ate:
I found the dining options both on and off campus to be really eclectic. Everywhere we went had a variety of choices: from salads to spring rolls to tandoori chicken to pasta. Even the pickiest eater could find something appealing around here.
Also, coffee. Lots and lots and lots of coffee. (Jet lag is no joke, y'all.)
People I met:
My first meetings were with the outstanding team in TAMUQ's Study Abroad program. Eric Wilson and Maiken Sparshott take excellent care of the students, including our own Texas Aggies, visiting the campus for a semester or a year abroad. Additionally, they provided me with the aforementioned lots and lots of coffee. In other words, I love them.
I also had the pleasure of meeting a sophomore chemical engineering major named Byanne, who was kind enough to guide my TAMUQ campus tour. Byanne is a U.S. citizen whose parents moved their family to Doha about 10 years ago, so she has a pretty interesting perspective as a sort-of local who is also technically an international student.
Finally, there was Jamal. Maiken has crowned him the best tour guide in Qatar, and I'm inclined to believe her. We'll be hanging out with him again a little later in the week.
Phew!
This day just flew by, and I know the rest of the week will, too. I'll leave you with this picture of the downtown skyline as seen from the Museum of Islamic Art, just 'cause it's pretty.
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