Melissa Tomassini Visits AUS

Melissa Tomassini is a Master's student at the University of Siena, Italy. Tomassini's education and training took her to Belgium and the United Kingdom on Erasmus Studies, Italy for her Bachelor's and Master's and even Abu Dhabi for Model United Nations in 2017. In early November, she arrived in the UAE for a two-month stay as a Visiting Guest in-Residence (VGiR). She was hosted within the Department of International Studies (College of Arts & Sciences) by our very own International Studies professor Matteo Salvadore, who is a well-known historian and author in his respective field of study. Constantly seeking achievements as well as travel and cultural understanding, she chose the United Arab Emirates for a two-month period to work on her dissertation researchregarding public diplomacy strategies implemented by the UAE. She also conducted a historical analysis of the country itself and collected numerous data, including in-depth on-site interviews.

Tomassini provided us with the following feedback, reflecting on her thoughts and experiences of the time she spent at AUS and in Sharjah:

  "[The International Exchange Office has] treated me with a lot of affection and I will treasure these memories....[A]s soon as I got to the top-rated and multicultural American University of Sharjah...in the dynamic and magnificent University City, I was clear on what I needed and how to obtain it...[During] my two-month stay in this unique and internationally-recognized educational hub....my research question [was]enriched...by the forward-thinking and cultural vitality undertaken by the Emirate of Sharjah, of which AUS is a proud emblem, with remarkable benefits for the outcome of my work.  Not only has my time at AUS given me a one-of-a-kind chance to familiarize myself with the true Islamic culture...but it has also inspired me to be more welcoming, in line with the great and inclusive Zayed's vision echoed in the [recently] announced Year of Tolerance.  This harmonious coexistence of civilizations is strikingly reflected in the fabric of the University staff and students, which creates an enabling and friendly environment where cross-border dialogue and academic excellence can flourish....Despite my stay being just two months, I now consider the UAE to be my second home."

Furthermore, Tomassini's host, Professor Matteo Salvadore, kindly provided his own take and feedback on her and her work. He states the following:

"Melissa is an enterprising young scholar who turned a short sojourn in the UAE into an opportunity to both conduct quality research and develop meaningful relations in the country. I followed her progress throughout her stay, and I was very impressed with her can-do attitude. At the end of her stay, she gave an excellent talk on her finding, which was well received by both faculty and students,"

  We hope this isn't the last we see of Melissa!