By Dorothy Lam/The Gazelle

A desk can reveal a lot about its owner. The Student Interest Group forms, travel trinkets and crumpled homework that scatter our workspaces can reflect our personalities more than we think. And whether it be an indigenous flute from Egypt or a Post-It note doodle by a friend, the objects on sophomore Clara Correia’s desk all pay homage to a wide range of people and places. Half-miniature library, Correia’s desk carries a long strip of books on its shelf.

"I'm really attached to books," said Correia. "I can't not have books on my shelf."

On the desk's bulletin board is a crooked collage of receipts, hand-outs and notes. As treasurer of the university's Peace360 SIG, Correia keeps track of all the SIG's purchases by tacking the multitude of receipts onto the board.

Gesturing to the neon Post-Its to the side, Correia added, "[These are] notes from [friends] who come to my room and make random drawings about how I need to cut their hair."

These Post-It notes only seem to reaffirm Correia’s status as one of Sama's unofficial resident barbers. Handy with a pair of scissors, Correia has cut hair for several of her friends.

Next to the board is a paper diamond with the Chinese character for spring. The red sign brings back memories of Chinese New Year in Hong Kong, where she attended school for two years before coming to Abu Dhabi.

Correia’s desk is a knick-knack haven, but despite all the tokens and mementos, the desk remains relatively organized. Among the bounty is a small elephant figurine, photos of family, a USB drive, glasses, a poem, letters, instructions on how to play an indigenous flute from Egypt and more.

Next to Correia’s desk is a blue vase with flowers, which Correia received after performing in this year's Real AD show. In addition to singing, Correia also plays the ukulele.

Correia’s desk is covered with sketches, notes and even a screen print of an octopus, which hangs above the crowded shelf. Above all, the space seems to act as a part-time exhibit for all the artwork crafted by Correia’s friends, both from here and far away.