Teena Bounpraseuth has lived in Abu Dhabi for just one year. She moved from Philadelphia in the United States and currently works at M&N Communications as an account manager. Abu Dhabi Week asked Teena what are the five things she likes best about living in Abu Dhabi.

Cultural melting pot
Abu Dhabi reminds me of home in the sense that it’s culturally rich, not only are residents introduced to unique Emirati traditions, but also those of others around the world. As a major foodie, I’m always ecstatic to find new ethnic restaurants popping up around the city.

Grand Mosque
I first came to the UAE for a conference during university and I still vividly remember my first time visiting Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. It is one of the most breathtaking architectural structures I’ve encountered and even now as I drive pass it every day for work I never cease to be amazed by it.

Camping
Being from a city, I’ve never had the chance to really go camping, but since I’ve moved here, I can say it’s one of my favourite things to do! When the weather is as nice as it is now, I love going camping in the desert and on the beach – nothing beats waking up to the sound of the sea or catching a glimpse of the sunrise in between sand dunes. This city girl has really gained an appreciation for the outdoors.

Weather
Besides the summertime, I absolutely love the weather here, especially during the winter months. One of my favourite pastimes is having a nice dinner with friends and then taking a stroll through the small bustling alleyways and blocks and discovering something new. There are some fantastic little shops on island that are tucked away from the major streets.

Travel hub
Abu Dhabi and the UAE overall is the perfect hub for traveling, whether it’s to other parts of the region, Asia, Europe or Africa, I certainly look forward to visiting more places on my travel list during my time here.