March 2025
TigerTrek Arabian Gulf brings together eight selected Princeton students for an exclusive, weeklong journey to the Arabian Peninsula’s innovation hotspots, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh. Participants will engage directly with top executives and visit key projects driving the region’s ambitious economic diversification plans, such as Saudi Vision 2030 and the UAE’s Economic Vision 2030. This fully funded trek offers deep insights into the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship and innovation, providing unparalleled access to the people and projects shaping the future of the Middle East.
Tigertrek: Arabian
Gulf
DIRECTORS
Xuan Lin
COS ‘26
“I hadn’t considered the Arabian Gulf for entrepreneurship until a roommate’s insights on the Middle East’s growth, likening Vision projects in Saudi Arabia and the UAE to America’s post-WWII boom, changed my perspective. I now see it as a unique opportunity and want to be part of this early-stage growth through TigerTrek Arabian Gulf.”
“Hi! I’m a junior COS major from Kansas. COS jobs were once the ‘steel rice bowl’ but recent shifts in the U.S. have sparked my interest in entrepreneurship. I’ve been active in EClub since freshman year, leading the Forge subteam. Outside of school, I enjoy fishing and, when possible, visiting the shooting range.”
Yiying Zhang
ECE ‘26
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YuXi Yue
SPIA/CEE ‘28
“I’m deeply interested in the Gulf, especially the UAE and Saudi Arabia, for their energy diplomacy, transitional investments, and entrepreneurship potential. As a public policy and civil/environmental engineering major, I see these regions as pivotal players in the Belt and Road Initiative, set to become strategic mediators reshaping global dynamics.”
My interdisciplinary background spans politics, anthropology, engineering, and energy security policy. I’m passionate about Middle East-China relations, focusing on energy transition, security, and startups, as well as Arctic strategy involving China and Russia. My adventurous spirit also fuels my interests in sailing, camping, and golf.
Joshua Gauche
Pol ‘25
“My interest in Middle Eastern entrepreneurship began in 2023 during a summer in Egypt, where I met Chinese businessmen drawn to the region’s economic potential. A solo trip to Saudi Arabia and the UAE further solidified this view as I encountered locals and CEOs optimistic about the Gulf’s future. Through Arabian Gulf TigerTrek, I aim to explore these cross-border opportunities.”
“Hi! I’m Joshua, a senior from Cincinnati, Ohio, studying Politics with a minor in East Asian Studies and a certificate in Arabic. My global experiences—from study and internships in the Middle East to finance internships in Tokyo—have fueled my interest in cross-border business. I’m also on the Princeton Global China Coalition board and a writer for Princeton Political Review. In my free time, I explore languages, books, and global media.”
