NYU Abu Dhabi students, staff, and faculty gathered in the University's Common Ground on April 26 for the last Open Mic Night of the academic year. From belly dancing to monologues and poetry reciting to capoeira rodas, participants showcased their unique talents for the rest of the NYUAD community.

This Open Mic Night was one of many "lasts" and farewells. With numerous students planning to study abroad next year, several performances were dedicated to those who would not be in Abu Dhabi this coming fall. Freshman Noor Al Maruqi dedicated three songs — "Don't Go" by Josh Kumra, "Cups" from the movie Pitch Perfect, and "All We Are" by One Republic — to the sophomore class, especially the girls on her residential floor. "They are all leaving next semester and I wanted to express my feelings towards them," said Al Maruqi.

Sophomore Guinandra Jatikusumo sang "Falling Slowly" from the movie and musical Oncewith NYU New York junior Jessica DeOliveira. "It felt bittersweet, because both of us love singing, but at the same time this will be our last time performing together in Abu Dhabi as Jessica and I will be studying at NYU New York next year."

Despite the sadness of saying goodbyes, the Open Mic Night was an evening packed with spectacular entertainment. From start to finish, cheers and laughter filled Common Ground. "Open Mics are those rare moments when the entire NYUAD community takes a break from frantic scrambling to meet academic deadlines and from obligatory superficial elevator conversations to dedicate our silly creative energies to each other," said junior Lan Duong, who performed in the capoeira roda and the belly dancing. "They make us more human."