Young voices, bold visions: UAE teens share real-life struggles and big dreams on International Youth Day 2025

Dubai: As the world marks International Youth Day, the spotlight turns to the hopes, hurdles, and inner strength of today’s youth. In the UAE, a vibrant mosaic of cultures and ambitions, young people are stepping up to face a fast-changing world, all while balancing school, passions, and the pressure of early adulthood.

To celebrate this global day dedicated to empowering youth, Gulf News spoke with teenagers living in the UAE, along with their parents and guardians, to better understand the challenges they face, how they stay grounded, and the values that shape their journeys.

For Ganit Rijolin, a 12-year-old Indian student who has lived in Dubai for nearly his entire life, the biggest challenge isn’t academic stress or screen time — it’s conformity.

“The hardest thing is dealing with other people’s expectations that push me to do things I’m not comfortable with,” Ganit shares. “What I really need is the freedom to pursue what I’m passionate about, not what others expect of me.”

Ganit takes pride in staying mentally strong and healthy. He avoids bad influences by “learning from my mistakes, staying calm, and listening to my elders.”

His vision of the future? Bright, purposeful, and full of promise.

“I want to do well in school and represent my country in sports and education. That’s how I see myself shaping the future.”

His uncle and guardian, Janald Jose, a structural engineer who’s lived in Dubai for 20 years, says the most important thing adults can give their children is time, gratitude, and guidance.

“We need to listen to their daily struggles, empower them to chase their dreams, and teach them to live with gratitude. Fear God, help others, and be thankful. These are the values I hope to pass on.”

For Temirlan Aidarbekov (Tima), a 17-year-old Kyrgyz student and competitive padel player, the biggest pressure isn’t just academics — it’s time itself.

“There’s a lot of pressure to figure out your future fast, even when you're still figuring out who you are. You feel like you have to make life-changing decisions when you're not even ready.”

Tima finds balance and clarity through sports.

“Padel keeps me focused, motivated, and in shape. But more than that, it helps me stay away from negativity.”

He hopes his passion for sport can spark change in others.

“If I can show others that passion and discipline matter, even in small ways, then that’s already my contribution to the future.”

His mother, Elnura Baiatarova, a hairstylist and longtime Dubai resident, couldn’t be prouder.

“As a mom of two boys, I want to teach them resilience, kindness, and confidence. The world changes fast, our children need to adapt while holding on to who they are.”

Her advice to fellow parents?

“Really listen. Let them explore their passions without too much pressure. And always support their education, it’s the key to everything.”

For many teens today, growing up isn’t just about school and grades — it’s about managing expectations, peer pressure, and the noise of social media.

Just ask Faith Meredith Anglo, a 15-year-old Filipino student living in the UAE for the past two years.

“One of the hardest things for me is trying to follow my own dreams while dealing with pressure from school, people’s opinions, and social media,” Faith shares. “It feels like you constantly have to keep up.”

Born in the Philippines and now living in Dubai, Faith is part of a generation raised across cultures and challenges. What keeps her focused?

“I stay close to people who share my mindset, keep busy with the things I love, like sports, particularly padel. And I remind myself that some things might seem fun now but could hurt my future. So I stay focused on my goals.”

But for Faith, being a teen isn’t just about staying out of trouble. It’s also about making a difference.

“Even the smallest things matter. I try to set a good example by being respectful, helping others, and speaking up when something feels wrong. One day, I want to start projects that support youth, especially in education and mental health.”

Behind Faith’s growing confidence stands a mother who has made her own sacrifices — and learned to grow alongside her daughter.

Filipino expat, Christine Eunice Anglo, 36, is a padel event coordinator in ISD and mother of two. She moved to the UAE nearly seven years ago, leaving behind her eldest daughter, Faith, who stayed with her grandparents and father in the Philippines.

“When I first moved here, Faith stayed back home. She joined me here in Dubai when she turned 12,” Christine recalls. “But even then, I could see she wasn’t fully happy. It took time — and trust — for us to rebuild that bond.”

As a working mother, Christine knows that love alone isn’t always enough. It’s about presence, understanding, and knowing when to step back.

“I’ve learned that the best way to support our children is to really hear them. Listen to what excites them, what frustrates them, what lights them up. Be both a parent and a friend.”

She admits that, like many mothers, she used to believe doing more meant helping more. But now, she sees things differently.

“Sometimes giving them the space to make their own choices is what helps them grow. That freedom builds the confidence we’re hoping to see.”

Christine beams when she talks about Faith — now thriving in school and pursuing a passion for padel, a sport they’ve both embraced as part of their shared journey.

“She’s focused, she’s strong, and I’m incredibly proud of her.”

For Filipino student Faith Micah Orona, the greatest hurdle is one many young people know all too well: managing time and staying motivated.

“There’s always something pulling at your attention, school, social media, your dreams. It’s hard to stay focused and fight procrastination.”

While she feels supported by her family and teachers, she acknowledges that real strength comes from within.

“You can have people cheering you on, but in the end, you have to find your own drive, especially when no one is watching.”

Faith dreams of becoming a nurse, combining knowledge with compassion to serve both physically and emotionally.

“Even small things like sharing ideas or encouraging classmates can create a ripple effect. I want to be part of a generation that learns from the past and builds a better future.”

For Timothy Joshua, 23, who has lived in Dubai since 2006, the biggest challenge isn’t just finding direction, it’s staying emotionally afloat in a world that demands nonstop productivity.

“Mental health is the hardest part,” he shares. “I often self-medicate with entertainment just to keep going. But time is a luxury we can’t afford to waste.”

Like many young people in diaspora communities, Timothy feels the pressure to succeed fast, often without the space to breathe. Still, he’s grounded by a powerful realization: “The support I need? I have it now, from the people closest to me. Anyone who’s not standing with you, was never supporting you to begin with.”

Timothy sees himself as a catalyst in his community, someone who doesn’t just talk change, but helps build it. “Real change starts locally. Even small actions matter. My role is to help turn ideas into impact and create space for diverse voices to be heard.”

Julius Fidel, 22, has also called Dubai home since 2006. For him, the struggle is balancing the present with an uncertain future.

“Figuring out what comes next while juggling school, it’s overwhelming,” he says. “I wish we had more chances to connect with mentors who’ve actually been through it.”

Julius believes in using what he learns today to spark change tomorrow. “Whether it’s sustainable projects or helping out in the community, I want to show that young people can make a real difference. We just need the platform to do it.”

When asked about the values he hopes to pass on, Harold Orona points to two essentials: integrity and humility.

“Integrity is an absolute necessity to guard against misinformation and the lack of truthfulness,” he shares. “The virtue of humility is needed to remind us that we can admit our failures, but at the same time rise up and show up, even in difficult times.”

When it comes to supporting children’s dreams and mental health, Orona believes the foundation lies in intentional, open communication.

“Deliberately spending time with family and fostering meaningful interaction should be the primary role of parents,” he says. “And educating ourselves about mental health can help us better support our children as they grow.”

Despite differences in backgrounds, nationalities, and interests, the teens we spoke to share a common thread: a desire to be heard, guided, but not rushed. Their parents and guardians echo the same message: Today’s youth need support, not pressure.

In a rapidly evolving world where technology and social trends shift at lightning speed, this generation is learning to ground themselves in values, chase dreams with clarity, and hold on to their identity.

This International Youth Day, their journey reminds us that the most powerful thing we can offer the next generation isn’t just opportunity, it’s belief, support, and the power to empower themselves.