It’s easy to make sweeping statements about the NYU Abu Dhabi student body’s sense of privilege and entitlement based on the negative opinions widely shared around campus and online. But does the loudest opinion necessarily reflect the values of the student body? After reading And Yet We Still Complain, I immediately felt sucked into a bubble of generalization that did not accurately portray our community.

I also began thinking about the ease with which we channel our thoughts into complaints; by complaining we are both establishing and validating our opinions in a way that makes a strong statement about the way we feel — so much so that we are now complaining about the complaining!

So is complaining conducive to change? Is it the best way to effectively address the issues of privilege and entitlement? It is true that complaints are often an avenue for voicing an opinion about something that bothers you or does not meet your needs, but there are certainly better ways to discuss NYUAD’s culture of complaining without painting the picture of a community of ungrateful students.

I appreciate the need for more positivity around campus and sparking a conversation about how much there is to be grateful for. Complaining, especially on social media, creates a negative feedback loop wherein people continually feel the need to add on their dissatisfactions in order to join in on the discussion that is happening. The result is like using a magnifying glass on the bad things without considering that these bad things are just a zoomed-in portion of a much larger picture — a picture that I have set out on a mission to share.

I went around and asked some of my peers a simple question: What are you grateful for at NYUAD?

One of the most common answers was the financial support offered here at NYUAD. As Sophomore Alia Abboud said, “I’m grateful for the opportunity to study with generous financial aid.” Reflecting on soaring tuition rates around the world, Abboud said, "People back home at the American University of Cairo are protesting!”

At a university with great minds from all over the world, one thing on my list of things to be grateful for are friends and peers at NYUAD. Sophomore Omar Al-Marzouqi reiterated this sentiment: “I’m grateful for the amazing people I’ve met and the genuine friendships I’ve made.”

Freshman Mark Papai reflected on his first semester here, saying that “[NYUAD] makes our lives so simple that we only need to concentrate on our studies and our academic advancement … we don’t even have to cook! That’s probably the best part.”

From movie screenings to trips around the UAE to attending various events around the city, I can certainly say that there is much to be grateful for in terms of things to do on campus and around Abu Dhabi. Senior Dhia Fani shared a similar feeling.

“I’m grateful for Student Life support, especially for the debate team and Model United Nations,” she said.

My favorite answers came from the seniors, who became sentimental as they expressed their gratitude for the various aspects of NYUAD that they’ve experienced over the past four years.

“I’m grateful for the dining hall staff and public safety; we have such great service here with staff who care about us,” said senior Zahra Urooj.

Another senior, Hayat Mohammed, mentioned the platforms and opportunities we have to express ourselves.

It is not that we are all privileged and entitled, but rather that we need to take the time to actually express our gratitude. It is important to foster positive conversations and give people an opportunity to reflect upon everything there is to give thanks for.

"A daily gratitude intervention with young adults resulted in higher reported levels of the positive states of alertness, enthusiasm, determination, attentiveness and energy compared to a focus on hassles or a downward social comparison,” concluded a study by Robert Emmons and Michael McCullogh. Taking the time to discuss and express gratitude will positively affect the feelings we have on campus and in our own personal lives, both emotionally and physically.

Today I challenge you to tell your friend one thing you are grateful for, and have them do the same. Expressing gratitude is a simple way of spreading positivity, and making sure that the positive voices echo loudly on the Highline. From Student Life support to the amazing friendships we’ve forged, there is so much to be grateful for around us.