The U.S. Consul to Dubai visits AUD

By MIRNA ALSHARIF

On Thursday, January 27^th, the U.S. Consul to Dubai paid an informative visit to American University in Dubai.

Students were given the opportunity to meet Rob Waller and hear about his experiences as a Consul General. At the end of the gathering, students were able to ask Waller questions and enjoy a light lunch. President Lance De Masi and Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Jihad Nader, were also present at the meeting.

Consul General Rob Waller grew up in Missouri, U.S. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Near Eastern Studies from Brigham Young University in Utah and his PhD in Mediterranean Studies from King’s College in London. According to Dubai.usconsulate.gov, he was “a member of the U.S. Foreign Service since 1998” and “served as the Director for Israeli, Palestinian, and Jordanian Affairs on the National Security Staff at the White house.” Waller began his term as United States Consul General to Dubai in 2012.

The Consul General has served at the U.S. Consulates in Jeddah and Jerusalem and at the U.S. Embassies in Paris and Baghdad. In 2010, Waller received the State Department’s James Clement Dunn Award for Excellence.

During the meeting, Waller discussed a series of topics such as America’s stance on foreign affairs. He also told students about his experiences serving in different countries and about his journey to getting where he is today. He also discussed his time in Dubai, referring to it as one of the most open-minded countries in the Middle East.

Overall the Consul General’s visit was an educational success that helped students understand America’s foreign policy better. Consequently, students interested in a career in foreign affairs were able to get some much-needed advice for their futures.

Hopefully we can expect the Consul General to visit more often.