Is It True That People Discriminate Against Us Abroad?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on perceptions and experiences of discrimination faced by individuals from Pakistan studying abroad, particularly in the US and Europe, following events like 9/11. Participants explore safety concerns, cultural integration, and the social dynamics within universities.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express concern about potential discrimination against Pakistani students abroad, particularly in the US, citing fears stemming from post-9/11 sentiments.
  • Others argue that the level of risk may not be significantly higher for Pakistani students compared to other groups, emphasizing that safety largely depends on individual behavior and location.
  • A participant notes that while there may be instances of racism, universities tend to be more tolerant and diverse, which could mitigate negative experiences.
  • Some contributors suggest that cultural misunderstandings, such as being mistaken for Indian, might lead to frustration but could also reduce overt discrimination.
  • Concerns are raised about how students from non-English speaking backgrounds are treated in US universities, particularly regarding their ability to make friends and integrate socially.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the extent of discrimination faced by Pakistani students abroad. Multiple competing views exist regarding safety, cultural integration, and the nature of social interactions in different environments.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects varying personal experiences and perceptions, which may not be universally applicable. Factors such as location, individual behavior, and the specific university environment are acknowledged as influencing the experiences of Pakistani students.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals considering studying abroad, particularly from Pakistan, as well as those interested in the social dynamics of international students in Western universities.

DeathKnight
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My elder brother has decided to study abroad for heigher studies. He's a bit reluctant though. This is because here we have heard loads of stories about people in America and europe hating us specially after 9/11. Is it true?
 
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These are dangerous and unpredicatble times for all of us, but my own perception is that a your brother would be about as safe here [in the US] as I am. In other words, I doubt that he would be at significantly greater risk due to his country of origin, as anyone here is due to crime of all sorts. A lot of this depends also on how and where one spends their time. For example, getting drunk and fighting a lot would be a bad idea. Studying in the library is relatively safe. :biggrin:
 
My impression of the US is that some people let fear & patriotism cloud their reasoning, but I don't know how much that translates into open racism. There are many people of Pakistani origin in the UK, though places like Bradford aren't that well intergrated as far as I know. London is pretty multi-cultural and has a shedload of universities, so I reckon your brother has as good a chance of a peaceful & productive time here as anywhere.
 
I can't see why anyone in Europe would hate Paki's after 9/11, USA would be the most risky but if you choose a civil area to study in then its about as safe as anywhere. And if all else fails, come to Canada!
 
DeathKnight, Pakistani's have no problem that I've seen. The most frustrating thing your brother will encounter is people will assume he's Indian. Understandably, this irritates the heck out of Pakistani's I've known, but it also avoids blatant discrimination based on appearances. I'd be lying to say there is no racism at universities, but overall, people at universities are very tolerant of diversity, even embrace it, and this provides a bit of insulation from what might be experienced in the general community. It will also depend on where he attends university. Some cities are more diverse than others, so he will just blend in, while others are more homogenous in population, so he may stand out more as different.
 
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I'd think your brother would be safer here than I would be there.
 
tribdog said:
I'd think your brother would be safer here than I would be there.
Yeah the brother of the pump where you were kicked out during your survey may have told his brother in islamabad,who may have told his cousin in...They may even have a wanted Dead or Alive poster for you in Pakisthan. :smile:
 
How do students in US universities treat Asians students? Especially those whose native language is not English (But can still speak "quite good" English)? Is it easy for these people to make new friends?
 
poolwin2001 said:
Yeah the brother of the pump where you were kicked out during your survey may have told his brother in islamabad,who may have told his cousin in...They may even have a wanted Dead or Alive poster for you in Pakisthan. :smile:
the problem with this site is long memories. don't you people ever forget things?
 

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