The teacher accompanying the students from Vrancea stranded in Dubai: “It wasn't a relaxing vacation. It's probably the best place where you can see where the world is going”

Teacher Oana Nedelcu, one of the coordinators of the group of 28 students from Vrancea stranded in Dubai after the suspension of flights following the US-Israel attacks on Iran, says that the trip had an educational purpose, focused on technology and smart infrastructure. She states that the students are safe and that permanent contact is maintained with the Romanian authorities.

In an interview given to the publication Vrancea24, the teacher explained why the destination was chosen.

“We chose Dubai for this experience for a very clear reason: it is probably the best place where you can see, in real time, where the world is going. For today's youth, understanding technology and AI is no longer a fad, but a necessity to be able to keep up with the jobs of the future. It was not a relaxing vacation, in fact the beach and shopping were not even part of our itinerary. We focused on the educational side: we had guides to all the objectives, we studied how their smart infrastructure works and we analyzed their hospitality standards. Even if the city is “artificial”, built from scratch in the desert, it represents a huge exercise of engineering and human ambition,” said Oana Nedelcu.

“Students are quiet and well cared for”

The teacher said that, immediately after the announcement regarding the closure of the airspace, measures were taken for the safety of the children.

“As soon as we learned that the airspace was closed and flights suspended, we acted promptly for the safety of the children. We made sure that all the students were in a safe place, at the hotel, and we immediately contacted the Consulate General of Romania in Dubai to maintain permanent contact with the authorities,” she stated.

According to her, the students are staying at a hotel located approximately 10 minutes from the airport, where they have access to a restaurant and all the necessary conditions. The group is not allowed to leave the hotel, and the staff of the facility buys the necessary products.

“The students are quiet and well cared for. To keep them busy and calm, we organize recreational and educational activities exclusively in the hotel. We maintain constant communication with parents and Romanian authorities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the consulate, to provide them with accurate and up-to-date information. Their support allows us to make quick and safe decisions. The biggest challenge is managing uncertainty. This experience gives children lessons about patience, adaptability and responsibility in unforeseen situations, how to stay united and work as a team,” the teacher added.

Asked if there is a clear plan for returning to the country, the teacher said that the situation is constantly monitored.

“We are monitoring the flight situation and collaborating with the consulate for clear return plans. We are also prepared for a possible extension of the stay, having all the necessary resources in the hotel for the comfort and safety of the group”, said Oana Nedelcu.

Excursions organized by private operators

According to the local publication “Actualitatea Vrânceană”, it is about students from grades V-XI, who have been in Dubai since February 22. They were supposed to be back in the country on Saturday when the attacks on Iran began.

According to the same source, the trip is organized by a private English language center in Focșani and is not related to the school institutions in Vrancea.

The children are in Dubai on a “private trip for cultural purposes”, the general inspector from Vrancea confirmed to HotNews on Sunday.

“I spoke last night (n. ed.: Saturday evening) with Mrs. Harasim (n. ed.: one of the children's companions), who is not a teacher in the state system. She organized a private trip for cultural purposes with 28 students from Vrancea county. Now they are safe and in constant communication with the representatives of the Romanian Consulate. I have no other details,” said Livia-Silvia Marcu.

Journalist Cristian Tudor Popescu harshly criticized the 28 students' trip to Dubai on Monday.

“What the hell are 28 middle school students, along with two female teachers, doing in Dubai? Wasn't the Israel-US attack on Iran, the spread of war across the Middle East predictable, a month ago?”, the journalist wrote in the Facebook post.

“And what should schoolchildren see in Dubai? What cultural sights, what museums, what monuments are there? Burj al-Arab 7 stars? Piss on the Beach? Gigalas? Arabs, and other nationalities, burdened with money? International followers? Chocolate Dubai?”, wrote CTP.

“The students and teachers are from Focșani. By the time they visit Dubai, will they have gone to see the Brâncusi ensemble? Indeed, it is more difficult to get from Focșani to Târgu Jiu than in the Orient…”, the journalist also wrote in the post.

Emirates and Etihad Airways will resume a limited series of flights from United Arab Emirates (UAE) airports.