Dr. Rahul Verma, Professor of Finance and Fulbright Scholar, embarked on a life-changing experience during a semester abroad teaching in the Emirate of Ajman. Centered just up the coast from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Verma’s Fulbright journey was filled with cultural immersion and valuable research opportunities, which left an indelible impact on his professional and personal growth.

A Warm Welcome

On arriving at Ajman University, Verma learned he was the only Fulbright Scholar to visit the UAE in 2022 and the first Fulbrighter to partner with Ajman University. He felt embraced by the warm hospitality at Ajman and marveled at the diverse expatriate population in the UAE. “It’s a country of expatriates,” he observed. “Only about 10% of the population is local.”

Classroom Experiences

As classes began, Verma discovered exceptional curiosity among the students, particularly regarding the U.S. The UAE students were keenly interested in topics ranging from university operations to the intricacies of the U.S. banking system and the U.S. Federal Reserve. “They were very curious and asked many questions,” he shared. The students’ eagerness to learn and their respectful attitudes greatly touched Verma.

The academic landscape presented Verma with the opportunity to navigate cultural variations in academic freedom (e.g., gender-segregated classrooms were the norm), systems of governance, and research resources. “Understanding and embracing the differences makes these experiences valuable,” he said.

Collaboration & Research

Driven by his interests in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investments, Verma collaborated on research with a colleague from Ajman University’s Finance Department, Dr. Rajesh Mohnot. They explored behavioral finance, which deals with how emotions and biases influence financial decisions and how these decisions are reflected in the financial markets. Their findings, published in the International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, provided “empirical evidence of the relative impact of energy market sentiments on the stock and ESG index returns in the U.S. and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) economies.” (Read the full article online.)  

A ‘Transformative’ Experience

Reflecting on his Fulbright experience, Verma described it as “transformative.” The exposure to a different academic environment and the cultural exchange refined his research focus and teaching approach. “The Fulbright experience not only expanded my academic horizons but also instilled a profound appreciation for diverse perspectives and the importance of curiosity and understanding in a global context,” he said.

Dr. Rahul Verma was one of four UHD faculty to land Fulbright Scholar Awards last year. Read about other faculty members' experiences: Dr. Edmund Cueva and Natacha Poggio.