Over 10,000 residents call the DQ home. Meet Your Neighbor profiles interesting people in our international DQ Community. Learn about the diverse experience, interests, and backgrounds of DQ dwellers. Read on, and Meet Your Neighbor.
Tell us about yourself.
I am a Peruvian diplomat who arrived in the Kingdom a little over a year ago. In addition to having a Master’s degree in International Relations and Diplomacy, I also have a Master’s in Advanced Studies in Literature. I consider myself a curious, open-minded, and friendly person, who likes to read, travel, and learn from different cultures.
How would family and friends describe you?
They describe me as a determined person who always tries to achieve his goals. They also consider me a fun, adventurous guy who likes to take on new challenges and has a natural inclination for arts and culture.
Who or what have been the strongest influences in your life?
In addition to my family, whose example has always guided my steps, I consider that the influence of my colleagues and friends, as well as the experience that I have gained in my career, has helped me to grow as an individual. The steady support of my wife has also been decisive in my personal growth.
How has Saudi Arabia helped you in your career goals?
Since this is my first post abroad, Saudi Arabia has been a crucial country in my professional and personal development. Although the cultural and idiomatic differences may have seemed significant at first, I consider that I have been able to quickly adapt to the country. I am having the chance to discover a very rich culture that shares many characteristics with my own, particularly in terms of respect and pride for its roots and heritage and the fundamental value of family in society.
What are you most proud of accomplishing so far?
I am proud of having assumed essential and demanding tasks and responsibilities, which, of course, are a significant challenge for me and that I have been able to overcome. I am pleased to share that this year, the tourist visa applications to Peru have experienced a remarkable increase, which accounts for the interest of our Saudi friends in getting to know Peru and discovering its outstanding and unique attractions.
What are your thoughts and insights on being a resident of Saudi Arabia?
Since my arrival, I have been able to see how Saudi Arabia is becoming an increasingly open society. The organization of major international events, both at an official and entertainment level, confirms this. At the same time, I have witnessed the hospitality and generosity of its people, which has certainly captivated me.
Where are your favorite places to visit in Riyadh?
In addition to architectural wonders such as the Kingdom Center or Al-Faisaliyah Tower, I am very attracted to places such as Al-Diriyah, that have managed to preserve the history and traditions of the country, and that allow foreigners like me to know how the lifestyle of the ancient inhabitants of Riyadh was.
What do you like most about the DQ?
On the surface, what I like the most about DQ are the parks and gardens, all with a very particular style, typical of the region. From another perspective, one of the aspects that I highlight most about the DQ is that it is a place where Saudis and foreigners live and work. The DQ is a point of convergence where the international coexists with the local, giving it a unique character.
