A Guatemalan in Dubai: "You should be proud of your origin"

Paulina Bascaró Solares was born in Guatemala City on March 9, 1999. Her tropical life took an unexpected turn when her father, a pilot, got a job with the prestigious Emirates airline. At only 8 years old, Paulina packed her bags and moved to a desert she never imagined she would visit.

Paulina posing in the Arabian Desert.

Why did you move to Dubai (United Arab Emirates)?

Because my dad is a pilot and he got recommended to be in Emirates Arilines. He applied and he got the job. So, we all moved in 2008 and I was 8 years old. The move was very difficult, because it was a completely different country. The local language is Arabic, but the main language spoken by everyone is English and I did not know it very well. Only my dad knew English best. Also, we had to leave the rest of our family in Guatemala. Plus, the weather was very difficult, very hot, and it was a shock.

What do you remember about life in Guatemala that is different from the life you have in Dubai today?

I was very young. But I remember family was more important there. You spent way more time with them. And, religion, it was prominent there. In Guatemala, the people you spend most time with are Guatemalans. In Dubai, the people I spend time with are from all over the world. I have friends from different countries, different backgrounds and all ages. You get more exposure and you learn a lot about them.

Paulina with her father and two brothers the first year she lived in Dubai.

Please describe your life in Dubai.

It is very busy! I am studying in university and I also work part time in a gym as a personal trainer. I love crossfit! A regular day for me starts at getting up early, like at 6:30 am. I always walk my dog in the morning. Then, I go to university from 9 to 12 in the afternoon. Normally, I go home to have lunch at 2 or 3 pm. Then, I train clients in the gym or train myself. On the weekends, when the weather is nice, we go to the beach, the mall or restaurants. I spend my time with friends from university, my family or my boyfriend. I live just outside the city so everything is about 25 or 30 minutes away by car. You can always drive everywhere, but you need to have a car to go places.

What do you like about living in Dubai?

One thing is the exposure is all these different nationalities. I have friends from England, Russia, Spain, Egypt, Kuwait, Australia, Denmark, Lebanon. You learn a lot about their culture, and they learn about mine. In Dubai you also have a lot of opportunities. There is always an option for the thing you want to do with your career. Nothing is impossible. It really exposes you to the future you want to create for yourself.

What you do not like about living in Dubai?

It is never going to be my home. The only reason we live here is my dad's job. If my dad does not have the job, I cannot live here. It is not a permanent place. Yes, I meet many from all over the world, but it is very hard to create concrete relationships because everyone comes and then, maybe three years later, they leave. And, it is so far away from Guatemala!

Paulina is passionate about sport, especially crossfit.

What do you like about returning to Guatemala from time to time?

The best is being able to see family and friends you haven’t been able to see for years sometimes! That is always nice. Guatemala will be forever my home and my country. And for sure the food! It is very hard to get black beans in Dubai. Hahaha.

What you do not like when you go back to Guatemala?

The fact that some people are very traditional and close minded. The reason I see that is because I have leaved in Dubai and have been exposed to different things.

Above: Guatemala City / Below: Dubai

Please tell us about your multicultural experience in Dubai.

Dubai is such an international country. I would say 80% of people are from other places, and the minority are locals. You learn you have similar traditions. You learn what their beliefs are, but in a way, you are not going to judge them. Everyone tolerates each other, it is not conflict. Everyone lives in harmony together in Dubai. There is something for everyone here, no one is left out. There are communities for everyone.

For example, Christmas in Guatemala is celebrated at 12:00 am on the night of the 24th. Many of our friends did not know that or have never celebrated at that time. We usually invite them to our house to celebrate Christmas in a Guatemalan style. We wait until 12, then we pray, then we eat. It is nice, because everyone shares the culture with each other. You experience different cultures in a single country.

As a Guatemalan girl in a multicultural city, she has met people from all over the world.

You think you have lost your Guatemalan identity by living in Dubai?

I do not. That is because of my parents for sure. Speaking Spanish at home is a must. No English at home, so we don’t lose it. If that happens, it would be an embarrassment. And the food. We try to eat the same things: black beans, champurradas, coffee, tamales, etc. Hahaha.

Do you know other Guatemalans living in Dubai closely?

There are a lot of Central Americans. Recently Guatemala opened an embassy in Abu Dhabi, and we all got an invitation to go. Also there is a big Latino community. My parents are part of different groups. They meet up for dinners and each one has traditional food from the country.

How do you keep in touch with your loved ones in Guatemala?

I stay in contact with my Guatemalan family and friends through Whatsapp and social media platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc. But it is always hard to keep in contact. It is a 9-hour time difference. When I have time, people go to sleep. Hahaha. But it is very important to keep in contact, especially with my grandma, my aunts and my uncles. We try to at least send daily messages with each other.

Paulina and her parents celebrating the Guatemalan soccer team (she was 8 years old in this picture).

What has Guatemala given you that Dubai cannot give you?

My core values, respect, morals. I feel those things are engraved into my country.

What would you say to a Guatemalan who, like you, lives far away?

Yes, take advantage of all the opportunities you get outside of Guatemala. Embrace all the multicultural people that you meet. But, at the same, time do not lose your Guatemalan identity. That is something that makes you unique. You should be proud of your origin. It is always going to be part of you. Try to expose it to many people as you can, so they learn and appreciate as much as you.

Follow Paulina's adventures in Dubai here.