Why are you in Dubai at the moment?
‘I was visiting family during the spring break. I was supposed to fly back last Saturday evening. I had a busy week ahead at the UT, with multiple exams and assignments due. But I already had a feeling that something was coming. I followed the news closely. After the attacks by Israel and the US in the night from Friday to Saturday, I feared my flight would be cancelled. That same evening, the first attacks on the United Arab Emirates began.’
What is the situation like for you?
‘After the first sleepless night, it is honestly better than I expected. I am fortunate to be with family rather than stranded in an airport terminal. Our house is about eight kilometres from a military airbase, directly in Iran’s flight path. So all the drones and missiles come our way.’
That sounds intense…
‘It is not too bad. Doable, given the circumstances. I notice that people from outside are more worried than we are. We are lucky to have a fantastic air defence system intercepting practically all the Iranian drones and missiles. Emergency services also respond incredibly fast. Some debris from a drone landed near a family friend’s house and caused a fire, but it was extinguished very quickly. These are advanced Patriot systems, but at some point the ammunition runs out. The longer the attacks continue, the higher the chance that a drone slips through. I hope things calm down soon.’
Have you been in contact with the UT?
‘Yes, with the module coordinator and the study adviser. I emailed my teachers on Saturday about the situation and my expectation that my flight would not depart. I kept them updated in the meantime. I could not take the planned exams this week. Luckily there is a lot of understanding. I was supposed to have a math exam today. That is really the only thing that stresses me out right now, besides the drone attacks. If you miss an exam, you normally lose a resit opportunity. But my study adviser told me that in exceptional circumstances I can request an additional resit from the examination board.’
What about contact with your fellow students?
‘Good! There is a lot of understanding from the project groups I am in. I try to do what I can, because I really do not want to let the groups down.’
Is your trip back to Enschede already planned?
‘Yes, the plan is Sunday. I hope to be back in the lecture halls on campus on Monday. It is a strange thought. For one of my courses, I happened to be working on drones, specifically the military aspects. And now they are flying over my head.’
