Paraguayan students in Abu Dhabi are writing a new story of cultural exchange and ambition. More and more of them are leaving behind the familiar streets of Asunción and Encarnación, chasing not only prestigious degrees but also the adventure of living in the capital of United Arab Emirates, one of the most international cities on earth.
The Paraguyan students arrive with passions for music, art, technology, and the social sciences. In Abu Dhabi, a place where the sands of the Middle East meet the rhythms of the West, they step into a crossroads of identity, tradition, and belonging. It is here that their Paraguayan roots intertwine with global conversations, creating a vibrant tapestry that goes far beyond classrooms.
Ana’s leap of faith
Consider the journey of Ana Maidana. Today she studies music and business at New York University Abu Dhabi, a choice she made after countless hours of reflection and courage. The university’s liberal arts ethos, generous scholarships, and world-class sound engineering facilities offered her the possibilities she once thought out of reach.
Back home, Ana felt the spark of creativity pulsing around her, yet she often collided with walls: a scarcity of professional equipment, limited training opportunities, and an almost unreachable international stage. Abu Dhabi, with its energy and openness, gave her what she longed for: the chance to learn, to create, and to share.
“I wanted to carry my culture with me,” Ana says softly, her smile hinting at the pride she feels.
Carrying Paraguay through music
And she has done just that. In recording studios and concert halls, Ana fuses the soulful melancholy of the musical Guarania genre with the playful 6/8 rhythms unique to Paraguay. Her peers listen with intrigue, their ears catching sounds they have never known before.
“They are always asking me, ‘What rhythm is that? Where does it come from?’” Ana shares. Each question becomes a doorway into Paraguay, a story told not with words, but through the universal heartbeat of music. For Ana, and for other Paraguayan students in Abu Dhabi, every performance becomes a bridge back home.
Paraguayan students in Abu Dhabi as everyday diplomats
Ana is not alone. Across campus, Paraguayan students are quietly becoming cultural ambassadors. Genesis Reyes, former intern of The Asunción Times, pushes the boundaries of visual arts, weaving Paraguayan sensibilities into bold multimedia creations. Rouxie Ramos explores social sciences with a curiosity that bridges perspectives and challenges stereotypes. Nicole Rodgers, through events and workshops, celebrates Paraguayan traditions while connecting her peers to the broader Latin American spirit.
Together, they transform ordinary spaces, a dormitory kitchen, a lecture hall, even the silence of a desert night, into living laboratories of culture. A shared meal becomes a lesson in history. A classroom debate becomes a moment of empathy. A song sung under the stars becomes an unspoken treaty of friendship.
In their own way, these young Paraguayans practise diplomacy of the most human kind. They may not sit at negotiation tables, but they build bridges where politics cannot reach; through music, art, laughter, and the simple act of sharing who they are. Their influence is subtle, almost invisible, yet deeply powerful. It is proof that cultural exchange flourishes not only in embassies but in the intimacy of everyday connections.
Looking towards tomorrow
As Paraguay strengthens ties with Asia and the Middle East, these students personify a nation finding its voice on the global stage. They remind us that bridges between countries are not made solely by governments, they are carried in songs, in ideas, and in friendships that begin with a single conversation.
Beyond the deserts and concert halls, opportunities back home are also growing. The EducationUSA Fair 2025 in Asunción recently offered Paraguayan students a chance to connect with U.S. universities, explore scholarships, and learn about admission procedures and financial aid
From the heart of South America to the golden sands of Abu Dhabi, Paraguayan students in Abu Dhabi show us that culture does not travel best in luggage. It lives in the courage to share a story, in the rhythm of a melody, and in the unwavering hope of those brave enough to dream far from home.
