UAE | General
Girl hopes Antarctica trip will pave way for others
Nour Al Falasi, a young Emirati girl who went to Antarctica on a student expedition, says she wanted to open doors for other Emirati women to seek out and achieve their passion in life.
- By Alia Al Theeb, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:54 January 22, 2008
- Image Credit: Supplied
- Emirati Nour Al Falasi says her expedition to Antarctica was meant to open doors for other women to seek their passion.
Dubai: Nour Al Falasi, a young Emirati girl who went to Antarctica on a student expedition, says she wanted to open doors for other Emirati women to seek out and achieve their passion in life.
Nour, a 17-year-old second year student at Zayed University, said she also aims to spread awareness and undertake research on the importance of protecting the environment and curbing the negative impact humans have on the environment.
She said it all started when her university invited two Canadian photographers who visited Antarctica to talk to students about their experience.
Nour, who is specialising in environmental health sciences, said she asked the phototgraphers if students could go to Antarctica as well.
"They told me about an organisation called Students on Ice, which is a student learning expedition to Antarctica and the Arctic. That was it for me," Nour said.
She needed a sponsor to enable her to go on the expedition and she approached her own university, who had sparked the interest she had and could make her dream a reality.
"I wanted to go to Antarctica ever since I was a kid to see penguins because I am fond of wildlife. This opportunity was a once in a lifetime," she said.
Nour said she invited her elder brother Jamal, who is also a student of environmental sciences at Sharjah University, to join her in the expedition.
Hard work
Jamal Al Falasi said, "I also had to find a sponsor ... and thankfully the Global Information Technology company sponsored my trip and I was also able to accompany my sister and accomplish our dream."
Nour said the trip was not only fun, but a lot of hard work and effort was also involved.
"We attended many lectures, workshops, naturalist seminars, and small group discussions. The programme also included shore landings, hikes, community visits, and ship-based exploration," she said.
Jamal said they are also considering going to the Arctic as part of another expedition.
Latest news
- Dubai number plates auction raises Dh27m
- Youngsters dance and raise cash for charity
- Dubai departments upgrade services
- Get yourself a free test for diabetes
- Ensuring a safety net for intellectual property
- Reader's issue addressed
- 5,552 illegals held in Dubai this year
- Man cleared because he took drugs in France
- Man charged with trafficking women
- Auditors to probe Mizin graft case
- Breaking down cultural barriers with photographs
- Abu Dhabi Crown Prince visits Islamic centre
- Transfusion centre launches new toll free number
- Smart e-Gate system launched
- Cyber infidelity creeping out of virtual domain
Community Reports
-
Mirror, mirror show me the way
Driver on Salam Street had so many boxes and fruits piled into car, he would not be able to view rear or right side mirrors
-
Parents should be more vigilant
Reader's picture highlights risk of negligence by caretakers
-
Warming up to ‘Mobilise the Earth' theme
Dubai school dedicates a whole week to celebrating Earth Day with can-collection drives, sapling plantation and painting competition among others
-
Drivers using mobiles put others' lives at risk
Speeding is dangerous for the driver and other motorists
