Jul 28, 2019
Emirati architect Alamira Reem Bani Hashim came back from 12
years in California with a PHD in Urban Planning, becoming the 1st
female Emirati with that distinction*. In this episode she explains
why she left the UAE at 17 to study abroad on her own. Describing
herself as an overachiever and perfectionist, Reem experienced
depression, an imposter syndrome, but finally found herself and her
own identity.
Her husband Arsalan explains how they met and what matters for them
as a couple in the Emirati context. Both are also partners in
business after founding an interior design company with an original
concept and name that resonates with their lives: “The Native
Bohemians”.
This episode was hosted by Nathalie Gillet, and was recorded in public at the French language institute Alliance française, by Fahim Benchouk from the company Fuzyo.
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* Episode 10 of “Emirati stories” was dedicated to Reem's work on Abu Dhabi and the story of the UAE capital's development. We strongly recommend her recently published book “Planning Abu Dhabi”.
** Music: "Unbury Your Heart", by Snowflake