For Sri Lankan expatriate Sasha Sequeira, Dubai is more than the city in which she lives and works. It is where she was born, raised and educated—and where she is now building a future for her own family.
The 29-year-old has witnessed Dubai’s transformation throughout her life, growing up alongside a city that was rapidly expanding into an international centre for business, education and tourism.
Sequeira said the city’s fast-moving environment taught her to remain adaptable and make the most of emerging opportunities. Living among people from different nationalities and cultures also helped shape her confidence, outlook and approach to professional life.
Her educational and career journeys have remained closely connected. After completing her bachelor’s degree through the Transnational Academic Group, she began her professional development there as an intern. She later returned to the organisation and now works in marketing and communications at Curtin University Dubai.
Her role includes engaging with students, supporting major events and handling communications-related responsibilities. She has described the transition from intern to professional as a demanding but rewarding process that helped her develop independence and find her voice in the workplace.
Dubai has also become the place where Sequeira established her family and is now raising her daughter. She views the city’s safety, multicultural community and access to education as important advantages for families building long-term lives in the UAE.
Despite maintaining her Sri Lankan identity and heritage, Sequeira considers Dubai home. Her experience reflects that of many second-generation expatriates who have spent most or all of their lives in the Emirates while retaining strong links to their families’ countries of origin.
For Sri Lankans considering moving to the UAE, her story also illustrates how Dubai can offer more than short-term employment. Those who adapt to its pace, develop their skills and build professional relationships may find opportunities to establish lasting careers and family lives in the city.