Reflections from Stockholm IT Challenge trip May 11th -14th 2004
by Kalthum Al-Ansary
May 22, 2004

Along our path to success, there is always a turning point, an event, which may change our typical life and open our eyes on a new vision for challenge and distinction ..

For me the UAE IT Challenge 2004 was that remarkable event, after being a winner. The thing which I didn’t expected, I had a great opportunity to visit Stockholm IT Challenge among a group of winners from 11th to 14th, May, 2004.

Because of it’s being my first time to travel abroad, and among a group that I never met before, hesitation became master of the situation, but after encouragement from the family, colleges, and Mr. Robert I’ve decided to go through this new experience ..

Our flight was at 01:10am from Dubai, it took about 10 hours to reach Stockholm, and most of the group had a rest for 2 hours, before starting the trip program. Firstly we paid a visit to Nobel Prize Museum in the old town, were we saw pictures of people who changed the history run by their inventions, like Alfred Nobel himself and a sample of his first dynamite.
	After that we had a walk through the old city lanes, were most of souvenir shops are located.
On the second day we’ve visited the Vasa Museum, we were really impressed to see the old Vasa ship which sank in the sea hundreds years ago, and still keeping it’s shape when it was first built. When we finished our tour we had a traditional lunch in Vasa restaurant.
	In the afternoon we went to Stockholm City Conference Centre-Norra Latin, were we saw projects from different countries, in many categories, such as :e-government, e-business, environment , Health , culture and Education. We discussed projects with finalists and shared with them projects of the UAE IT Challenge, which obtained their admiration.
The next day we had a wonderful tour in the City Hall, which was a residence for the Sweden emperor Gostav 111, where you can see those gorgeous hand made tapestries, Fresco paints, and the golden hall which walls are covered with golden mosaic, City Hall is really a charming place.
	For lunch were invited to a traditional restaurant in the countryside, “Ulriksdals Wardshus”. I really enjoyed their traditional dishes, while I didn’t like food in the city restaurants.
At the end of day, we were back to the City Hall, to attend the awards ceremony which was truly well organised, the same Nobel prize ceremony style, it was amazing, the most things attracted my attention were the “ challenge spirit show” and those charming spring songs. Which ended our trip to Stockholm.

As a group we had many common things to share, we were like a family, I learned from each member a distinguished feature I will mention some of them in few words:

** When “ all for one “ it’s a normal thing , but when “one for all “ this is a special thing that was Mr. Robert Brown.

** “ Listening is an art “ that’s what Mr. Gary’s personality inspires to ..

** Mrs.Nafeesa Almulla ( MOEY) , she is a good example for a national ambitious hard working woman, who never gives up ..

On the other hand, sharing our projects and ideas in Stockholm IT Challenge, emphasized the idea that the UAE IT Challenge projects were on an international standard level which strengthen our self confidence, and opened our minds on new ideas in utilizing technology in human welfare toward a peaceful world free of poverty, diseases and wars ..

Also, one more benefit, I have friends from different countries, from Sweden, Chile and Hong Kong, we have common things and interests to share together, like my group members, who are sharing emails with them ..

That’s why I consider the UAE IT Challenge 2004 an important event for me ..

Kalthum Al-Ansary
A fine art teacher in the
Ministry Of Education and Youth