How a girl from Egypt found her calling in a UAE-based startup

Six months ago, while sitting in my bedroom in Alexandria, I felt completely lost. I had just graduated, and like many recent graduates, I was filled with excitement but also so much uncertainty. What would my future hold? Where did I belong? There were so many questions and no answers. I had that tingling sensation in my stomach; it felt like I was standing on the edge of something big, but didn’t know what that "something" was.

Then, one night, I decided to do something that seemed a little out of character: I created a vision board filled with dreams, goals, and aspirations. I placed it in front of me, a tangible reminder of what I wanted to work toward. A few minutes later, I grabbed my laptop and applied to every open position I could find on LinkedIn. I came across a posting for an SDR internship at Alaan, a startup located far away from Egypt. The description spoke to me—it sounded challenging, exciting, and completely outside my comfort zone, so without thinking twice, I applied.

A few weeks later, I joined Alaan as their first remote hire from Egypt, entering the role with little to no expectations. At the time, I had always imagined the corporate world to be a place where fresh graduates like me would struggle a lot. I assumed that as an intern, I would be given small, insignificant tasks and would not be taken seriously. And on top of that, being remote? I imagined my voice would be drowned out, and that’s when Alaan proved me wrong.

Despite my lack of experience, I received exceptional support from day one. I participated in mock calls and demo practices, and I received invaluable guidance from my seniors and colleagues—Ksenia, Sonia, Cristel, and Milica. They answered every question I had, and believe me, there were many! Their support made sure I never felt like an outsider. Everyone on the team dedicated their time and energy to helping me, which motivated me to do my best every single day. As my internship approached its end, I realized that I didn't want to leave; I felt like I had finally found what I was looking for.

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Now that I look back, I know I had found my place when I reached the third stage of my internship hiring process. When I learned that the final step would be an interview with Parthi, the CEO, I was terrified. I had never spoken to someone in a senior position before, and my anxiety was at its peak. But to my surprise, Parthi didn’t act like the CEO I had to impress; he acted like someone who genuinely wanted to understand me. He listened intently as I shared my story and my concerns. I admitted that I wasn’t sure if I was ready for a startup or had what it took to succeed in this fast-paced environment, and instead of brushing aside my fears, he addressed them directly. At one point, he even opened a presentation to walk me through Alaan’s vision and explain how the company would support me. So when I say I love Alaan, I mean it.

My time at Alaan has made me a better version of myself, and that uncertainty I once felt has turned into confidence. I have improved my speaking skills, gained a lot of confidence, and pushed myself far beyond my comfort zone. They gave me the wings and the encouragement to grow—not just professionally but personally. I barely recall the Rahaf who nervously logged into that first interview. I am a more confident, capable, and courageous version of myself now. My vision board from January? It’s no longer just a collection of ideas—it feels like a roadmap that’s actively coming to life. I have grown here in ways I couldn’t have imagined.

Things don’t just fall into place—they are built. This journey so far has been so much more than a job—it’s been an experience of a lifetime. And for that, I will always be grateful to Alaan and the team. Last but not the least, I’d like to emphasize the tremendous power of manifestation. My vision board turned my life around once I could physically interact with my goals right in front of me.

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