Dina Ghandour is 25 years old and is Palestinian, though she was born in Abu Dhabi. She has lived here her whole life apart from a few years in the USA for university and work. She is now an account executive at a PR consultancy. Abu Dhabi Week asked Dina what are the five things she likes best about living in Abu Dhabi.
Sense of community
Although I had been away for almost seven years, I was able to return home and still feel the strong sense of community that is so great about Abu Dhabi – as well as the support from my family and friends, many of whom I have been close with since elementary school and who have also returned to Abu Dhabi.
Access to the ocean
I love the beach and the ocean, and Abu Dhabi is perfect because it is an island! You can be sure to find a clean and affordable beach in as little as a ten-minute drive in any direction.
Diversity
Abu Dhabi is extremely diverse with people from almost all nations living in this small but booming city. The international population means you get to meet a wide range of individuals from all backgrounds, ethnicities and walks of life. My office of about 20 employees consists of more than eight different nationalities!
My job
Working for a multinational public relations consultancy is providing me with global experience and also equipping me with skills that are unique to this country and region. Being in the Abu Dhabi office also means I have the chance to be a part of some of the region’s most significant and dynamic projects and events.
Fast food – Abu Dhabi style
Although the city is becoming increasingly expensive to live in, there are still places where you can get decent food at an extremely low cost. My favourite is a little spot that serves karak (tea with milk, hail seeds and lots of sugar) and cheese parata (thin dough rolled and filled with cheese spread) for a total of AED 3. What makes this vendor so special is that it is located in old Mina and you are just a two-minute drive from the actual port where you can enjoy your late-night snack whilst looking at the ships.
