<p><span class="p-body">Growing up across three continents, Yasmine Barbes brings a wealth of cultural experience to the world of event management. With French, Emirati, and Russian roots, Barbes's background is as diverse as her list of residences. She's lived in Paris, Palo Alto, London, and Dubai, and now finds herself back in Dubai.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Studying in the <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-event-management.html" title="MS in Event Management">MS in Event Management</a> program at NYU SPS, Barbes's unique lens is now applied to the event industry, where her artistic nature thrives. We recently spoke with her to get her take on the program and what she's been up to since graduation.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">Barbes was excited to immerse herself in the most comprehensive event planning program available, and after extensive research, landed on NYU's MS in Event Management program. The draw of another American university experience, following her undergraduate studies at Georgetown, also influenced her decision. &quot;A chance to live in New York City was an incredible opportunity that I wanted to experience,&quot; Yasmine shared.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Barbes describes her time at NYU as an unforgettable whirlwind, packed with learning experiences both in and out of the classroom. &quot;I learned so much, met so many amazing people, and time completely flew by,&quot; she says. She emphasizes that pursuing a master's degree at NYU was not just about the academic rigor but also the industry insider experiences that came along with living in the heart of New York City. For Barbes, these experiences left a lasting impact and gave her a confidence boost to take full advantage of everything the city had to offer.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">In January 2024, Barbes took part in the Real World class focused on travel hospitality in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Although she had spent almost a decade in the UAE, this experience allowed her to connect with industry professionals across various sectors within the events and hospitality industry. It was these connections, Barbes notes, that added a new dimension to her understanding of the event management landscape in a familiar region.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Barbes credits Bernard Toliver's <i>Managing Risks and Contracts</i> course as her most impactful class at NYU. &quot;Professor Toliver really strives to teach his students as much as he can in the time allocated to him,&quot; she recalls. His dynamic teaching style and ability to make complex topics engaging left a lasting impression on her.&nbsp;</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">NYU's MS in Event Management program provided Barbes with a robust toolkit for her career. Naturally creative, she wanted to focus on building her technical skills, including finance, accounting, risk management, and contract writing. &quot;I gained valuable skills that will help me in my future professional endeavors,&quot; she explains. While creativity is vital, she understands the importance of pairing it with solid operational knowledge to thrive in the competitive events industry.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Upon graduating, Barbes went back to Dubai with a clear goal: to work in events for a luxury brand. Her preference lies in smaller-scale events, such as VIP dinner parties and product launches, where her creativity and technical skills can shine. The practical experience and specialized knowledge gained at NYU have set her on a path to achieving her ambitions.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Barbes's advice to new students is to engage with their teachers as much as possible. She acknowledges the unique benefit of NYU SPS, where instructors are not only educators but also active professionals in their fields.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">As she takes her place at the center of luxury event management, Barbes's creativity and global perspective shine through. Take your creativity to new heights by shaping the future of the events industry when you pursue an <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-event-management.html" title="MS in Event Management">MS in Event Management</a> at NYU SPS.</span></p>