Chris Moorman
"Overseas journey provides new perspective"
Following a trip to the United Arab Emirates, two Purdue undergraduate students found their views and understanding of a noteworthy region completely changed. Blake Saunders (M'08) and Chris Moorman (M'09), both students in the Krannert School of Management, designed an eight-day, self-study trip to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to augment their classroom studies. Pitched to their financiers and backers as a unique opportunity to learn hands-on about one of the world's foremost growth regions, the pair found themselves speaking to industry leaders and pioneers "Blake came to me and pitched this to me as something that was possible, and after some convincing, we got to work raising the funds and setting up meetings with individuals across several industries within the Emirates. All and all, it was a really great experience for us both academically and personally," says Moorman.
After raising funds through a variety of avenues throughout Purdue, such as the Krannert Leadership Fund, the Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER), and the Purdue Alumni Association, Moorman and Saunders went about setting up the specifics of a trip around the world.
"This wasn't a planned study abroad program where there was a specific structure. We really didn't have very many contacts before we went over, but we spoke to several Purdue alumni before leaving, and we able to set up some amazing meetings. We also did a lot of cold calling and developed a few great contacts through that route," says Moorman.
The pair found their trip very fruitful, meeting with 28 individuals in various industries such as aerospace, finance, private equity, construction, and real estate. Meeting with individuals from Goldman Sachs, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Dubai International Capital, and CB&I, they managed to speak to several top-level individuals who helped shape their understanding of the region and the economic conditions.
"The quality of the meetings we were able to have was absolutely incredible. We spoke to high-level executives who were able to give us a macro view of the economy and state of business, while allowing us insight into their own personal niches and lives."
Along the way, they met with several Purdue alumni who were completely enthusiastic about meeting some fellow Boilermakers. Piyush Singhvi (EE'04), Hal Burke (T'79), Ousama Ghannoum (M'84), and Asem Abu Hijleh (EE'86) all took time to meet, mentor, and provide a perspective relating Purdue and the life of an expatriate.
In the end, the pair brought several important lessons away from the trip. First, they say that their understanding of the UAE, and the Middle East in general, has been completely transformed. Both adamantly advise their fellow students to take chances and expand their worldview.
"When I told most of my friends around Purdue that I was going to the Middle East, most people thought I was crazy and that I would be in some sort of danger. However, after being on the ground and seeing the progress, culture, and openness of the Emirates, I realize that most perceptions of the region are completely skewed," says Moorman. "Blake suggested something that no one thought would work; including myself for a long time, but we followed through, made it happen, and it ended up being one of the more memorable and educational experiences of my college career."
-Blake Saunders and Chris Moroman
