O An asis for Learning Members of several student affairs associations dive into the higher ed community in the Arabian Gulf. By Dan Oltersdorf F rom the hot desert sand to the gleaming skyscrapers of Dubai, the 2013 Arabian Gulf International Student Affairs Study Tour was marked by contrast, an experience described by one participant as a "simultaneous experience of past, present, and future." In June, 28 participants from around the globe took a journey to the Arabian Gulf region and came back with new perspectives and insights. They toured state-of-the-art educational facilities during the day and walked through ancient markets at night. Rich culture and tradition are woven into a developing fabric of innovative leading-edge higher education in this region. The trip was organized by the Association of College and University Housing OfficersInternational (ACUHO-I), Association of College Unions International (ACUI), and Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA), providing a unique opportunity to learn about an exciting era in higher education in the Arabian Gulf Region. The tour included visits to New York JANUARY + FEBRUARY 2014 37