Born and raised in Kuwait, Mariam grew up with parents who encouraged self-expression. Having that green light meant pushing the boundaries in her youth resulting in a love for all things fashion and travel.

Even though she was given her dream job handling the marketing for a luxury brand, there was a disconnect.  A deeper need to connect to something much bigger than herself was key (although she didn’t know it yet) to finding her true happiness at work.

As her hobby for scuba diving grew, it gradually shifted her focus and filled that missing element she was searching for in her career. Mixed in with her love for Egypt – her diving home away from home, she felt compelled to organize trips to Egypt to encourage more divers to discover what she fell in love with.

WHAT WOULD MAKE YOUR SOUL SING? WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?

Anytime I’m diving in Egypt. Taking that first breath underwater when diving

A CHILDHOOD STORY THAT ANNOUNCED THE CREATIVE PERSON YOU ARE TODAY?

 I loved playing with colours, whether that meant painting any surface I could get my hands on as a child or dying my hair bright colours as I got older. Over the years, colours and my use for them have changed, but the need for self-expression throughout has stayed the same.

BEST CONTEXT EVER FOR INSPIRATION WAS

All the eco-warriors of the world. Every brand or person wanting to make a difference.

THE PROJECT YOU LOVED MOST

Trying to get all my near and dear ones certified as divers.

THE PROJECT OTHERS  LOVED MOST

Encouraging more women in the Middle East to pursue diving.

THE BEST THING ABOUT KUWAITI CREATIVITY IS

Their business hustle and entrepreneurial spirit.

BEST STATEMENT OF KUWAITI  HUMOR

We love to make fun of anything and anyone, including ourselves as the best-case scenario.

ADVICE FOR INTERNATIONAL HEADHUNTERS, RELATED TO KUWAITI CREATIVES

Delve deep into the personalities of the creatives. Get beneath the layers and find out who they really are.

BEST PLACE IN YOUR TRAVEL EXPERIENCES

 Egypt, a thousand times over. From the diving, to the people and their humour.

BEST PLACE IN KUWAIT

Anywhere my loved ones are. Bonus if there’s food involved!

MOST DISTURBING CLICHÉ ABOUT KUWAIT, IN THE MEDIA OUTLETS OF THE WORLD IS

That it’s hot all year round.  From June to September it’s hot, but we’re pretty lucky with our weather otherwise.

KUWAIT SHOULD BE KNOWN FOR

 The food. I’d say it’s on a par with Paris and New York.

YOUR VIEWS ON SPIRITUALITY

Connecting to something much greater than yourself, what’s not to love?

YOUR VIEWS ON MONEY

Money affects everything. Use it wisely!

AN INSPIRATION SOURCE YOU RECOMMEND FOR A YOUNG CREATIVE

Anything GirlsThatScuba post on IG. From women empowerment in the dive industry to ways you can incorporate being more sustainable in your daily lives. Highly recommend giving them a follow!

Mariam Al Saif ‘s MER is a community of scuba diving enthusiasts and adventure seekers, that looks forward to hosting you on water trips around the world. For more info on how you can join, click here.