About Beyond Cubicles
đ˘ #BeyondCubicles is a weekly LinkedIn series created by Carolina DâSouza, born out of her own experience transitioning from a corporate career to independent consulting. Since its launch in June 2024, the series has evolved into a platform that showcases the inspiring journeys of several founders who have redefined the traditional 9-to-5.
Through authentic narratives, #BeyondCubicles highlights themes of courage, resilience, and purpose. The stories feature individuals from diverse industriesâranging from tech and education to wellness and adventureâwho share their experiences of stepping away from conventional roles to pursue passion-driven careers.Â
⨠Note: All features in this series are unpaid and shared as a way to honor and amplify real stories of transformation.
When Hanan Alfardan left her government job, she stepped into a space few had noticed.
While Arabic language institutes existed across the Arab world, none focused on teaching the local dialect by Emirati native speakers.
That space became her purpose.
âAs an Emirati, I just knew I was doing what I was supposed to do,â she says.
She founded Al Ramsa Institute (alramsa.ae) in 2013, the first of its kind dedicated to teaching Emirati Arabic to non-native speakers.
Driven by a mission to help people connect through the Emirati dialect and culture, Hanan set out to prove that Arabic can be easy to learn if taught the right way.
Even the name carried meaning. âAl Ramsa means âspoken Emiratiâ in our dialect. Itâs a word used by Emiratis in the Gulf. As an Emirati entrepreneur, I wanted a name that carried both identity and cultural pride,â she says.
The early years tested her resolve. Family and friends questioned whether the risk was worth it, and she spent long days switching roles as manager, customer service, and teacher.
âThe first three years were the hardest,â she says.
What kept her going was discipline. âEach morning, I knew what tasks I had to complete, setting my own deadlines, and measuring my own achievements.â
A year into the business, the breakthrough arrived with a beginnersâ course: eight students registered, paid in full, and attended.
That moment, she says, validated her vision.
Since then, Al Ramsa Institute has grown into courses, books, videos, audio resources, and a mobile app.
Though naturally introverted, she embraced visibility on social media, creating daily videos for an audience that now exceeds a million followers. Her personal brand grew with the institute, and she has been featured in Arabic and English media.
âWhen I started, I was âa teacher of Emirati Arabicâ. Over time, my brand has evolved into something bigger. Today, it represents cultural preservation, education, and entrepreneurship.â
That growth was strengthened by support at home. âAl Ramsa has become a family business with my husband, and having his support has made all the difference.â
Born and raised in Dubai and now based in Abu Dhabi, she continues to help thousands connect more deeply through Emirati language and culture.