Watch: Inspiring Dubai-based Emirati tourism instructor Elham Bolooki

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Dubai: From naughty kid to senior instructor at the Dubai College of Tourism, this Emirati inspires students by teaching them how to pave the way to a successful career.

Meet Elham Bolooki, 28, head of experiential learning and teacher at the Dubai College of Tourism, which trains students for careers in the hospitality industry. With a Masters (MBA) in International Hospitality from the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, she sets a positive example for other millennials to explore new avenues.

Elham, who received ‘The Rising Star’ award at the 2017 Middle East Hospitality Awards, said she grew up thinking she would pursue a career in musical theater but ended up making a name for herself in the hospitality sector. “Never say never,” Bolooki said.

“I finished high school at 17. I started applying to universities to pursue a career in musical theatre. I received an acceptance letter from the University of Miami for a double major in business administration and musical theatre,” she said, adding that she enjoyed singing and acting during her college years. ‘school.

But there was a delay in getting her government scholarship, so she decided to stay back and pursue a degree in hospitality instead. “I didn’t know I would love the subject so much. In fact, I have to thank my sister Ahlam who asked me to consider a program in international hospitality at the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management.

Elham started her career working for a leading hotel group based in the United Arab Emirates, where she was first selected to be part of the Future Leader program. Here she worked in different departments such as “Rooms Division”, “Food and Beverage” and “Event Operations and Human Resources”. She also worked in the group’s main hotel properties, including one in Spain, before joining the Dubai College of Tourism.

Elham Bolooki says she has gained a lot of experience in different sectors of the hospitality industry.
Image Credit: Supplied

“Needless to say, I gained a lot of experience. One of the things that makes me very happy in my job is helping Emiratis and expats find a suitable career in the hospitality industry and grow.

Why her work is fulfilling

Elham says, “As an experiential learning manager, I have a job that really fulfills me. Let me give you an example. I once had a very shy student with a limited English vocabulary. He had trouble doing simple things that we trained him to do. Nine months later, he presented to the World Association of Chefs’ Societies. It was a very proud and moving moment for me. He was on camera giving his presentation and teaching young students. All I did was make him practice over and over again what he was trained to do. So when you see your students flourish and grow, it’s very rewarding.

“There is no better time to join the hospitality industry than now. It is an extremely dynamic industry that we work in. It is also a very rewarding industry because we meet people from different cultures every day. world. So it’s extremely diverse, dynamic and exciting to work in the hospitality industry now. Anyone who enjoys meeting, greeting people should join our industry.

Family influence

Elham said her mother had been a big influence on her life. “My mum was a working woman so I was inspired to be financially independent myself. My sister Ahlam, who is the director of the Emirates Festival of Literature, is also a very inspirational person in my life.

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Elham says her family played a major role in shaping her personality and career.
Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News

Elham said her sister was on a mission to inspire as many people as possible. In January 2020, she co-founded Mangroves 4 Mankind, a licensed social enterprise established in the United Arab Emirates with the aim of combating climate change by conserving and restoring mangrove ecosystems in all possible coastal cities around the world. “His leadership inspires me. I hope to make a big difference to the community like her one day.

Elham said she was diagnosed with scoliosis after which she turned to yoga. Scoliosis is a medical condition in which a person’s spine curves sideways. “I took up yoga to rectify that as much as possible. It changed my life for the better. I want to spread yoga to as many people as possible because I have seen the benefits of this firsthand. My mother also did yoga and meditation. So growing up seeing her take care of her mind and her body inspired me to do the same,” she said, adding that she was grateful to be in the right environment – ​​both within of his family and his country.

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