Years of Culture
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2025/10/07
In this conversation, we speak with Maria Belén Hermina, a professional volleyball player with Al Rayyan Sports Club and Managing Director at a leading hospitality consultancy. From her first impressions of Doha to her reflections on sport as a bridge between cultures, Maria Belén shares how she has built a fulfilling life in Qatar while staying closely connected to her Argentinian roots.
Sports have always been part of my life, and I have been competing since I was 12 years old. When I arrived in Doha, volleyball became my way to meet people and socialise, and it has always remained a pillar in my life. At the same time, when I was 18, I decided to study accounting. Five years later I graduated, while still competing and playing in the first division league in Argentina.
After some years, and thanks to the network I was able to build in Qatar, I found a way to connect my two passions: sports and business. I consider myself an entrepreneur, an active person who enjoys challenges. I truly believe we are not defined by doing just one thing in life. Projects and opportunities came together, shaping the person I am today.
My husband received a job offer in Qatar as a physical trainer for a volleyball team. It was my final year of university, and once I graduated, I decided to move and see if I would feel comfortable staying.
In the beginning, it was a bit difficult since I come from a small city in Argentina of about 100,000 inhabitants, and Qatar is more than 20,000 km away from home. It was also my first time flying on a plane! I didn’t know much about Qatar or the Middle East, and for my family, it was also challenging to see me move abroad at only 22 years old. At that time, there wasn’t a lot of information available online, so I came with an open mind, ready to be surprised and to learn about a new culture.
Honestly, I didn’t find it too hard to adapt, because in the end, we share many values. Especially the importance of family, friends, and gatherings, which are very close to our own culture. I will never forget the Qatari families I met in the beginning, who welcomed me and my husband as if we were part of their own. That made everything much easier.
It has been amazing to witness and experience how women’s volleyball has grown and improved in Qatar since I first arrived in 2016. Playing and representing Al Rayyan is an honour, and becoming champions two years in a row is something that makes me extremely proud of our team. I especially value the diversity in our team. We have a mix of nationalities, and this combination of experiences makes us stronger and more united.
The standout moments are always the finals—fighting together to win first place and putting into practice everything we trained for. Those are the memories I carry with me the most.
The facilities we have to train in Qatar are excellent, not only at Al Rayyan but across all clubs. Having access to the right equipment and conditions allows us to improve our performance significantly.
Looking back at how women’s sports were 10 years ago in Doha, I can say we now feel much more supported and encouraged to keep competing. Of course, there is still room to further professionalise women’s sports, but I am very happy to see the great steps being taken to ensure all women have the chance to practice and compete.
At PHRS we provide strategic, operational, and human resources solutions to luxury hotels, resorts, and restaurants. As Managing Director, I lead a team of consultants to deliver tailored and innovative services to our clients. I also oversee business development, marketing, and client relations, ensuring high-quality service and long-term partnerships.
I am the main point of contact for our clients, which allows us to provide a highly personalised service. At the same time, I work directly with the professionals who are hired, supporting them before they relocate and making sure they feel fully prepared for their new experience. What motivates us the most at PHRS is being able to guide talented individuals, who meet the requirements and wish to do so, towards living an international career opportunity in the luxury hospitality industry across the Middle East.
Qatar continues to surprise me. During the World Cup, we saw an enormous number of projects and professionals arriving in the country. But even now, almost three years later, there is still a high level of interest and activity.
Of course, during the summer the demand slows down as hotel occupancy decreases, but with the start of the high season, new projects and opportunities keep emerging. The continuous flow of international events also guarantees strong demand in the hospitality sector.
Qatar’s hospitality industry is deeply connected to its economic growth. The country is positioning itself as a hub for tourism, conferences, and international events, which makes the sector dynamic and constantly expanding.
It is always a pleasure to gather with our community! We are more than 500 Argentinians in Qatar, and honestly, most of us know each other. The 2022 World Cup brought us even closer, and since then, every sporting event with Argentine participation has become the perfect excuse to get together and cheer.
Each celebration at the Embassy is very emotional. Sharing these moments with fellow Argentinians feels special because we connect in a unique way. Being so far from home, just seeing and speaking with another Argentinian makes you feel closer.
We love gathering to share meals, have an asado, cook empanadas, or simply enjoy mate with something sweet. Every now and then, we organise special dinners with the community at restaurants, where we ask for an Argentine-inspired menu.
The Argentinian community here is very warm, supportive, and united. We help each other in many ways. For example, we even have a WhatsApp group where we share news and tips, like where to find Argentine products in the market.
What I enjoy the most is the mix of nationalities and the chance to share cultures and traditions. After almost 10 years in Doha, I have adopted many local customs.
One of my favourite activities is going to Sealine during the winter, spending the day with friends in a camp, and enjoying a harouf dinner. I also love Souq Waqif and MIA Park, especially its café with an incredible view of West Bay and Corniche.
Although I still drink a lot of mate, I have also grown fond of karak tea. I enjoy both buying it as takeaway or sharing it with friends, as people do here in Qatar. And I must admit, I enjoy eating harouf with my hands while sitting on the floor, just like the locals.
I also truly enjoy the month of Ramadan. Even though I am not Muslim, and always with great respect, it is a special time to share iftar or suhoor with friends and connect with the local culture. I have even practiced fasting myself, and I found it to be a very meaningful time for personal reflection.
I believe athletes play a fundamental role. Sport unites people—it teaches teamwork, effort, and the value of pursuing goals together. It is a universal language that goes beyond words.
Athletes also have visibility and influence, which allows them to inspire others and set an example. By competing internationally, they become cultural ambassadors, showing that respect, friendship, and collaboration can transcend differences.
Sport is one of the most powerful tools to connect people from different backgrounds. In Qatar, where so many nationalities live together, sports create a natural space to meet, interact, and build friendships. On the court, nationality, language, or culture don’t matter. What matters is the passion for the game and the shared goal of working as a team.
In my own experience, I have seen how volleyball brings together players from many countries, each contributing their own style, discipline, and perspective. This diversity enriches the sport and creates strong bonds that go beyond cultural differences.
For Maria Belén, what began as a leap into the unknown has evolved into a life shaped by sport, business opportunities and a strong sense of community. Her story reminds how connection and belonging can be found far from home, embodying the spirit of the Years of Culture initiative.
Discover upcoming events in Doha and beyond, or explore more inspiring stories from the people shaping the Qatar, Argentina and Chile 2025 Year of Culture.
