ABU DHABI // A new initiative at Zayed University aims to give students greater self-awareness and confidence, reduce stress and increase positivity.
The Happiness Project started in February, just before the announcement that the government was to appoint its own Minister of Happiness.
Reem Al Kindi, senior student leadership and development co-ordinator at Zayed University, and project manager, said many participants had already come closer to understanding their true goals and callings since the project began. “Since being in the student centre I’ve learnt that the students struggle with self-satisfaction. They have an identity crisis: why they’re here, why they’re studying? Often, it’s to fulfil another person’s dream, family, friends,” she said.
All participants fill out a questionnaire that they then update on completion of the course, to review their progress.
Mrs Al Kindi said many students were angry and dissatisfied, judging by their questionnaires. “It’s one thing they all shared [the anger],” she said. “They don’t really understand themselves. They’re in university because their parents wanted them to be. They do things because their friends expect that of them. Even when they were straight-A students, many were depressed, angry – with their friends, family, society. Stereotyping comes from society and gives so many restrictions.”
Noor Abdelhamid, 22, is a third-year media student involved in the project, which is a voluntary initiative for male and female students.
“They ask you to think about questions normal people don’t ask you, like how happy and satisfied you are,” she said. “You get to know yourself more. It’s a really positive thing.”
Although she has completed only the first stage of the project, she already feels changes. “I didn’t know I wasn’t satisfied with my studies and that I needed to do more, so it’s been a really good thing for me to reflect on,” she said.
Alyaziah Al Hashemi, 25, has also been through the first part of the programme recently. “I’ve learnt that we should see even obstacles in life in a positive way,” she said. “I look at things differently already to how I was doing before, in a much more positive way.”
Mrs Al Kindi said: “Happiness is a very crucial part in our lives. Some people have the tendency to cling to the negative things in our environment, while others can intentionally focus on the good parts of their daily lives.”
The project is divided into four parts, ranging from lectures to writing exercises and one-on-one sessions with Mrs Al Kindi.
“The first phase includes interactive workshops, where students will get to understand the theory of emotional intelligence and better comprehend their emotions,” she said.
“The second phase is a one-to-one interview that aims to fully understand the student’s needs in order to tap into them. In the third phase, participants get the opportunity to release the negative emotions that might hold them back and affect their development. It includes various exercises, open discussions and meditation methods to learn.”
The fourth phase of the project focuses on performing acts of kindness and gratitude.
“Research found that happiness and altruism are closely linked,” she said. “In this phase, participants will learn how to give to others and how to spend money on others’ needs [contributes] to higher levels of happiness than spending it on oneself.
“Participants also learn how to count their blessings daily to have a measurable positive effect on their well-being and give a sense of purpose to their lives.”
Budoor Khalid, 26, who is studying media and tourism, said that “just seeing someone smile makes you forget about whatever is happening to you”.
mswan@thenational.ae
