Abu Dhabi: Language is not a barrier when it comes to communication.
Athra Hereb Al Zaabi, a third year Emirati student of Communication and Journalism at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi, was a student ambassador at Abu Dhabi airport during her summer vacation.
"It was the first time in life I realised that language is not needed to communicate with the people. I cannot forget my interaction with an African lady who did not know Arabic or English."
Athra and her friends shared their experience on the sidelines of a special ceremony to honour the 'student ambassadors' organised by Abu Dhabi airports Company (ADAC).
She said she communicated with the African lady to tell her about the new luggage rules.
Expressions of joy
"When I realised that she was starving I gave her food and I was surprised at her reaction. She expressed her love and started to pray for me. I did not know her language but we bonded before she left the airport," said Athra. "If you are interested in interacting with the people language is not a barrier at all."
She had the same experience when she interacted with some Indian passengers. "Some of them did not know Arabic or English but we had a way to impress them. Indians are very attached to their children and if we just entertained them, the parents would be more than happy."
"People from a particular Asian country are very fond of sleeping. As soon as they rest in chairs, they fall asleep. We had to wake them up so they could board the flights," said Abdullah Salem Al Braiki, 19, a student at the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT).
"Many travellers are labourers and they used to go in the opposite direction ... we had to guide them to a particular place. But they were so loving when we explained new baggage rules," he said.
Mohammad Abdul Rahman Al Qubuti, 23, an HCT student, said he is now confident of reassuring nervous people. "As a customer care official at the reception I received a number of phone calls from people who were worried about delays or a change in flight schedules. I found it tough in the beginning but later I realised that if you talk nicely, the callers relax easily."
Maitha Mohammad Al Khatheri, an official of ADAC who worked with the students, said: "Our office received a lot of messages congratulating the students for their skills."
