From a Childhood Dream to a Global Journey: A Message to the Youth of the UAE

From a Childhood Dream to a Global Journey: A Message to the Youth of the UAE

When I was ten years old, I never imagined that a metro trip, one day lead me to one of the world's leading universities and eventually bring me back to contribute to the future of my country.

Every year on August 12, the world celebrates International Youth Day, reminding us that young people are not simply the leaders of tomorrow, they are already shaping the world around us today. For me, this day is an opportunity to reflect on a journey that began with curiosity, was nurtured by education, and continues today through service to my country. Growing up in the UAE, I was inspired by the remarkable pace of development taking place around me. As a child, I was fascinated by the roads, bridges, and transportation systems that connected communities. Those moments sparked a simple dream: one day, I wanted to help build cities that improve people's lives.

That dream led me to the American University of Sharjah, where I pursued a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with a minor in Transportation Systems. Looking back, I realize that AUS gave me much more than an engineering degree. It taught me how to challenge ideas, embrace research, and believe that excellence is something to strive for every day.

I graduated summa cum laude, an achievement that opened the door for me to pursue a Master's degree in Transport Engineering at Imperial College London, in collaboration with University College London (UCL), one of the world's leading institutions in the field.

Throughout that journey, I carried with me the values that I had developed in my beloved city, Sharjah: that education is the foundation of progress, that knowledge has the power to transform societies, and that learning is a lifelong responsibility.

These values reflect the inspiring vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, whose unwavering commitment to education, culture, and scientific research has made Sharjah a beacon of knowledge and learning. His belief that investing in people is the greatest investment continues to inspire generations of students to dream bigger and achieve more.

During my postgraduate studies, I had the opportunity to conduct innovative engineering research based on data from the UAE. That work was recognized with a prestigious international award, making me the first Arab woman to receive this distinction. While I was deeply honored, I saw the award not as a personal achievement, but as a reflection of what young Emiratis can accomplish when they are empowered by quality education and unwavering ambition.

After completing my studies, I returned home with one goal: to apply what I had learned in service of my country. I have always believed that the true value of education lies not in the certificates we earn, but in the positive impact we create for our communities.

Today, whenever I contribute to projects that improve mobility, sustainability, and quality of life, I remember the young student who once dreamed of making a difference. That dream has become a lifelong commitment to continuous learning and public service.
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan beautifully expressed this when he said:
"Youth are the hope, and they are the future."

Those words remind me that every young person has the potential to shape tomorrow - not only through ambition, but through knowledge, integrity, and perseverance.

My message to every AUS student and every young person is simple:
Dream without limits, learn without stopping, and never underestimate the power of education to change your life.

The classroom you sit in today may become the foundation for achievements you cannot yet imagine. The challenges you face today may become the experiences that define your future.

I hope that, years from now, each of you will look back on your own journey and realize that the dream you once thought was too ambitious was simply the beginning.

Written by
Sara Humaid Aljarwan,


BSc Civil Engineering, American University of Sharjah
MSc Transport Engineering, Imperial College London