Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Center for Publishing Director Andrea Chambers (far left), Professional Programme faculty Seth Russo (far right), and M.S. in Publishing student volunteers with author Dan Brown (center) at the 2014 Sharjah International Book Fair — Center for Publishing Director Andrea Chambers (far left), executive education program faculty Seth Russo (far right), and M.S. in Publishing student volunteers with author Dan Brown (center) at the 2014 Sharjah International Book Fair

A sea of sheikhs in white robes and a moonlit dinner served from gold tureens on a rooftop terrace: that marked our last night in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, where four NYU M.S. in Publishing: Digital and Print Media students, Jessica Lei, Allie Levick, Kevin Murphy and I were fortunate enough to have attended the 33rd annual Sharjah International Book Fair. When we embarked on our six-day journey, we had no idea we would have the chance to attend a dinner presided over by His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah. Nor did we know we would pose for a photo with bestselling novelist Dan Brown, who attended the fair and gave a keynote address broadcast all over the Arab world.