I have now been in Dubai for a little more than a month, and I can honestly say that I feel at home here now. The first days were a bit overwhelming, and university and the new city represent completely different cultures, but step by step I have found my routine. By now I enjoy the mix of modern city life, international friends, and cultural traditions that make Dubai so unique.

Among the many aspects that have shaped my experience so far, religion and clothing stand out the most. They are closely connected in daily life here, and they have challenged some of the stereotypes I carried with me from Europe. In Europe, when people talk about Dubai, the image that often comes to mind is one of strict rules and rigid dress codes. I thought everyone had to be fully covered at all times, and that even small mistakes could be frowned upon. The reality is far more nuanced and honestly, much more interesting. Here, clothing is a mix of tradition, personal choice and respect. On campus, you see everything: women in abayas, men in kanduras, students in jeans and t-shirts, and others in stylish European outfits. All of these styles coexist naturally, and nobody seems to judge. Walking through the city or the malls, it is fascinating to notice the variety of attire and yet there is a subtle harmony in how people carry themselves.

For my part, I decided early on to dress modestly,  not because I was forced to, but out of respect for the culture. Even when the temperatures were still at 45 degrees during my first week, I wore long trousers and shirts. At first, it was a bit of a challenge, but I quickly adapted. Surprisingly, the extreme heat is balanced by air-conditioned spaces in malls, classrooms, and cafés, where temperatures can drop to 18 degrees. Walking in long sleeves under the scorching sun and then stepping into freezing indoor spaces became a curious daily routine, one that I learned to navigate with a mix of humor and patience. Over time, I began to appreciate how clothing can be both practical and symbolic, and how it shapes the way you experience a city.

Closely linked to clothing is religion. The call to prayer, which echoes several times a day through the city, was completely unfamiliar to me at first. I remember hearing it in a shopping mall for the first time and pausing in my tracks. In Europe, religion is mostly private and rarely visible in public life, but here it is woven into the daily rhythm of the city. Initially, it felt unusual, but I soon began to appreciate the beauty of this presence. The sound of the calls, combined with the chatter of the streets and the bustle of daily life, creates a unique atmosphere that constantly reminds people to pause and reflect. It is not restrictive, rather, it frames daily life and reminds people of what is important to them. Observing the way religion, clothing, and daily routines intersect has been one of the most enlightening parts of my stay so far.

Looking back, I realize that what initially seemed so foreign -clothing, religion and even small daily habits, has taught me a lot about respect, openness, and the complexity behind cultural stereotypes. Europeans often imagine Dubai as rigid and strict, but living here has shown me the opposite: there is freedom, diversity, and a subtle balance between tradition and modernity. Clothing, in particular, has become a mirror for my own values, showing me how I perceive respect and how first impressions or stereotypes can be misleading. Most importantly, I have learned that approaching the unfamiliar with curiosity allows it to become familiar, and that the most surprising experiences often leave the deepest impressions. At the same time, I have come to understand that respect can be expressed in many ways, not only through clothing, but also through behavior, attentiveness, and small gestures toward others. Experiencing this in Dubai has given me a deeper awareness of how culture shapes daily life, and it has made me more open to noticing and appreciating these subtle forms of connection wherever I go.