Dubai: Simran Shashi Vishwakarma has always dreamed big.The 23-year-old Indian national said: “From a young age, I was fascinated by marketing, branding, and particularly the world of luxury brands. I knew that if I wanted to build a career in that space, I needed to step outside my comfort zone and put myself in an environment that offered global exposure and opportunities.”There was only one city that came to mind: Dubai.Now, she just had to convince her family to let her move abroad. It was the first time she would move out of her hometown of Pune, India, on her own, and she wasn’t sure they would encourage it.But Vishwakarma was in for a surprise: “As with any parent, my mother’s biggest concern about me moving abroad was my safety and well-being. But when I told her I was moving to Dubai, her reaction was very different. She looked at me and said, 'I’m not worried, because I know you’ll be in a safe city.'"She was right. Vishwakarma experienced the kindness and consideration of Dubai’s community within just 10 days of moving to the city. She said: “I remember an incident that really stayed with me. I needed some cash to pay for a courier and didn’t have any with me at the time. There was a small laundry shop in my apartment building, right next to the entrance. I walked in, explained my situation, and even though the shop owner barely knew me, he immediately handed me the money and told me to return it whenever it was convenient. It was a simple gesture, but for someone who had just moved to a new country, it meant a lot.”An education in luxuryIn her short time living, studying, and working in Dubai, Vishwakarma has come to the realisation that the city swiftly changes your perception of what is possible. Picture credit: SuppliedToday, six months into her Dubai move, Vishwakarma is pursuing her master’s degree in international marketing and business development, and working with The French Tea Master, a business that curates exclusive tea experiences for private collectors, luxury maisons, art galleries, and wellness destinations. In the past few months, she has worked with a host of international luxury brands, on projects that are both “exciting and challenging”.Every day is an education for the new expat. She said: “What excites me most is that so many leading global and luxury brands have a strong presence in Dubai. As someone building a career in luxury marketing, being surrounded by that environment every day is incredibly inspiring. It's one thing to study marketing in a classroom, but it's another to see world-class brands, campaigns, events, and experiences happening around you in real time.”Vishwakarma knew of certain industries and areas of work, in theory, but now has the unique opportunity to be an active part of it. “For example, I knew what experiential marketing was, and I had heard terms like VIP and VVIP experiential marketing, but I never really thought I would have the opportunity to work in that space. I feel very lucky. What makes it even more special is that many of the dream brands I once looked up to from a distance now feel much closer and more achievable. It makes my aspirations feel real rather than distant.”Her goal is to establish herself as a global marketing professional, and to grow into larger roles within the luxury and lifestyle industry over time.She’s in the right place; the dynamic energy and optimism of Dubai is both inspiring and contagious. Vishwakarma said being in an environment where people are constantly pushing themselves to do better, rise higher, and think different, makes you question your own limits. She explained: “You start asking yourself, 'Why am I thinking so small?' or 'What more can I do?' I don't think growth ever stops. But living in Dubai has definitely changed my mindset. It has made me take my goals more seriously and act on them faster.”Behind the glitter and glamourVishwakarma loves seeing world-class brands, campaigns, events, and experiences happening around her in real time. Picture credit: SuppliedBut when goals bear fruit, many people look at the shining results, and forget the consistency and hard work that went into making it possible. For instance, for outsiders looking in, Dubai’s reputation for luxury can be mistaken for glamour. But Vishwakarma argues that such perceptions miss the deeper story behind the city’s success: “When people think of a Rolls Royce, they usually see it as something extraordinary or very far away from reality. But here, you see them on the roads quite often. And it's not really about the car itself. It's about what it represents. When you see things like that regularly, you realise that someone worked hard enough to get there. Someone built something, created something, or stayed consistent enough to achieve that level of success. It stops feeling impossible and starts feeling achievable. For me, that's what thinking bigger means.”In her short time living, studying, and working in Dubai, Vishwakarma has come to the realisation that the city swiftly changes your perception of what is possible. She shared the example of diverse people living together and thriving peacefully: “Every day, I meet people from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds, yet there is a strong sense of mutual respect and coexistence. People [in Dubai] can be very different and yet have so much in common.”One of the biggest commonalities people share, is that everyone is pushed out of their comfort zones at some point in the city – and this gives them a unique opportunity. Vishwakarma said: “Whether someone is a CEO, an entrepreneur, a restaurant server, or working in any other field, everyone is here for a reason. Most people have come here with goals, ambitions, and a desire to build something better for themselves. Of course, with that comes competition. The standards are high, and not everyone gets what they want immediately. Some people miss opportunities, some people have to start over, and some people take longer to reach where they want to be. But I think that's exactly what helps people grow.”Vishwakarma’s growing too; she said just a few months in the city have been impactful: “When I first arrived, I was still figuring everything out. I was new to the city, trying to understand how things worked, where opportunities were, and how to build a life here. But at the same time, there was this strange feeling that I belonged here. I can't explain it logically, it was just a feeling I had from within.”From tourist to residentHer journey to Dubai has been years in the making. As a child, she visited Dubai on vacation with her family, and remembers instantly falling in love with the vibrant city. She said: “I still remember a moment at the airport that has stayed with me over the years. There was a woman there, who was incredibly kind and welcoming. She asked me, 'Do you like Dubai so much that one day you'd want to study or work here?' My mother immediately replied, 'Yes, definitely she will.' I smiled and the woman handed me a chocolate.”It was a small interaction, but it’s something Vishwakarma never forgot. She said: “At that time, I had no idea that years later, I would actually return to Dubai, not as a tourist, but to pursue my education, my career, and my ambitions.”Now, as a Dubai resident, Vishwakarma is fully committed to taking every opportunity the city sends her way. She feels different, and thinks it’s because Dubai has indelibly altered her: “I don't think it changed me with one big moment. It changed me little by little. It made me more confident, more open to opportunities, and more willing to put myself out there. Most importantly, it taught me to believe that my dreams are achievable if I'm willing to work for them.”
