Dubai Summer 2024

Arriving in Dubai the first thing that hit me as my plane came into land was how Dubai literally has been built in the desert. It truly is remarkable how just 50 years ago nobody had heard of Dubai and now it is the most luxurious destination in the world.

My days started with an early jog along the beach passing tourists enjoying the white sandy beaches and Burj Al Arab views. After freshening up, I'd get a morning coffee and take the metro to the World Trade Center just opposite DIFC where I was based for my internship.

DIFC is the financial hub of the city and my startup was based there alongside all of the major banks. Crossing the main road and hearing the roar of the procession of supercars and G-wagens entering the car park every morning always inspired me to grab my opportunity daily, and reminded me that I was no longer in my beloved Manchester.

The work environment was as you might expect for a financial services startup a mix of managing regulatory compliance, customer acquisition, and building a name and foothold in a very competitive market. By this I mean it was wild! Things moved quickly, very quickly. Everyday we had new meetings and more research and slide decks to prepare. More meeting minutes to copy up and share internally, and more clients to onboard. The business had two channels, 'Retail Clients' and 'Corporate and Family Offices'. In Dubai, hustle is everything, but never did we overpush, something I learned is key to business in this city. The subtle art of selling.

Before arriving, I sat an online orientation test and had great 1on1 calls with my adviser to get ready for my trip, and they really set the tone for what to expect and helped me prepare and get ready for the pace of life in Dubai.

I feel that I learned a lot, saw a totally different culture that is inclusive, results driven and is really embracing technology and the future.