What was meant to be a milestone birthday trip has turned into a nightmare.
Shanice, an American woman who flew to Dubai to celebrate turning 30, is now stuck in a hotel room watching CNN for updates on Iranian missile strikes. She has tried to leave three times. Three different airlines. Three cancelled flights. And no way home.
'I'm an American tax-paying citizen, and I've now been stuck over here since the twenty-fourth,' Shanice said in a tearful TikTok video posted one day ago. 'I am desperate to get home to my family.'
Her plea is directed at President Donald Trump. She is one of thousands of Americans stranded across the Gulf after Iran launched retaliatory strikes on the UAE and neighbouring countries following joint US-Israeli military action that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
@atleastimpretty23 💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔
♬ original sound - shaniceday_
Bombs From Her Hotel Room
In an earlier video posted three days ago, Shanice described what it is like being caught in a war zone 9,000 miles from home.
'We've heard bombs from our rooms,' she said. 'My friend was downstairs at the beach the first day this all happened, and she actually seen a missile fly over her head.'
She and her friend have been glued to the news. Sleep has become an escape.
'We've kind of slept our days away to like, contain the tears that like flows after we wake up,' Shanice admitted. 'Just pray for your people in Dubai. It's a very, very tough situation to be in, and I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.'
The 30-year-old also pointed out what she sees as a disparity in government response. 'A lot of different countries are like taking care of their citizens, but unfortunately, we're from the US,' she said. 'We started this war.'
'Depart Now' — But How?
The US State Department told Americans to 'depart now' from 14 countries on Monday, citing 'serious safety risks.' The problem? Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest international hub, had already been shut down for over 48 hours after Iranian strikes damaged the facility and injured four employees.
According to Travel Pirates, when stranded Americans called the State Department hotline, they got an automated message: 'Please do not rely on the US government for assisted departure or evacuation at this time.'
That message was later updated. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the department is now working to secure military aircraft and charter flights. But he acknowledged the challenge.
'If a country closes their airport, for example, in some cases the airports have been hit,' Rubio told reporters. 'So, that's the challenge, but rest assured, we are confident that we are going to be able to assist every American.'
The airport reopened with limited operations on 2 March. But for many, getting a seat remains nearly impossible.
No Timeline for Return
President Trump said the military operation, called 'Operation Epic Fury', could continue for four to five weeks. That gives stranded citizens little clarity on when commercial flights might fully resume.
As of writing, the State Department said over 17,500 Americans have returned home since strikes began. But with an estimated one million US citizens in the region, that is a fraction of those affected.
Democratic Senator Andy Kim criticised the administration's response on X: 'Warnings to citizens to evacuate 3 days into this war, when airspace is closed, is a clear sign of ZERO strategy and planning by the Trump admin.'
I worked at State Dept before and the safety of Americans overseas is the highest responsibility. Warnings to citizens to evacuate 3 days into this war, when airspace is closed, is a clear sign of ZERO strategy and planning by the Trump admin.
— Senator Andy Kim (@SenatorAndyKim) March 3, 2026
Now Americans have limited options… pic.twitter.com/FLetYBpxM6
For Shanice, the politics matter less than the reality. She just wants to go home.
'I'm putting myself out here on the internet, as humble as I know how to just get some help,' she said. 'So yeah, very, very strange out-of-body experience. Happy birthday to me, at least.'
A birthday trip that turned into a plea for rescue. And still no flight home.
