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Trevor Students Attend RoundSquare International Conference in Dubai

10/9/2025

Part of the point of the conference was to meet new people, and that was done by being placed in Barazza groups in the opening ceremonies, where you did your activities. However, we were never forced to talk to each other; everyone I met was people who wanted to meet new people, and the energy of the conference was palpable, from playing Duck-Duck-Goose to musical chairs. Later on during the Opening Ceremony day, all of the delegates went on a traditional dhow cruise around the Dubai Marina Harbour, where we had good food, danced, and got a night view of the larger-than-life city of Dubai.

The Closing Ceremony was certainly nothing to scoff at, either. Early in the morning, we went on a treasure hunt around the mall with our Barazza groups, eventually leading us to lunch at Hard Rock Cafe. We sang our hearts out at karaoke, played pool, and danced until the final words.

I am very happy back home at Trevor with my friends and family, however, the conference was nothing short of life-changing. It almost feels like the first season of your favorite show finished, and became discontinued. I’ll always crave more, but, weirdly, I’m satisfied at the same time. The relationships made, experiences had, and lessons learned gave me so much more than I ever thought possible, but perfectly enough, all the same. I stepped out of my comfort zone, and I couldn’t be happier that I did. As the sun set on the Round Square International Conference of 2025, I knew that the conference was truly beyond the dunes.

- Ousmane B. '27

My time as a delegate at the Round Square International Conference in Dubai changed the way I see the world. Each day brought new experiences like hiking through Dubai’s national parks and exploring its colorful souks. I was surrounded by people who were eager to share their stories. One memory that stuck with me, was when we visited a school for students with special needs. My group set up activity tables, and a young non-verbal boy came to our art station. I handed him markers and stickers until he smiled. In this quiet expression, I felt mutual happiness without us having to verbalize it.

At the Al Buteen souk, a shop owner offered to tie my keffiyeh for me. He was careful not to touch me, showing how faith and respect are incorporated into everyday life in the U.A.E. My time there took me from tourist attractions like the Burj Khalifah, to the historic district of Deira, where I learned about Islam. Round Square has given me the privilege to immerse myself in Emirati culture and rediscover how much I value learning through people and experience.

- Sienna V. '27

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