Representing your country and handling stereotypes or discrimination

Abroad, people may meet someone from the Gulf for the first time through you. That is a chance to share your culture with pride. It also means you may sometimes face lazy stereotypes, or worse, and it helps to know how to respond and where to report.

Being a good ambassador

• You do not have to represent everyone from your country, and you will not know every answer. You can say 'That is my experience, but people at home are very different from each other.'
• Share your culture through everyday things: inviting friends to try your food, explaining a festival, teaching a few words of Arabic.
• Respect goes both ways. Show the same curiosity about other students' cultures that you hope they show about yours.
• Your behaviour online and offline can shape how others see your country. Be the kind of guest you would want visitors to the UAE to be.

Answering stereotypes calmly

• Many stereotypes come from curiosity or ignorance, not hostility. A calm, friendly answer often changes minds more than anger.
• Script: 'Actually, that is a common idea, but it is not quite how it works. Can I tell you what it is really like?'
• Script for a joke that went too far: 'I know you did not mean it badly, but that comment does not sit well with me.'
• You do not have to educate everyone. If a conversation feels draining or disrespectful, it is fine to end it politely and walk away.

Knowing what discrimination is (UK example)

• In the UK, the Equality Act 2010 protects you in education and other areas. GOV.UK lists protected characteristics including age, disability, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, and sex.
• A hate incident is any incident perceived to be motivated by hostility or prejudice. A hate crime is a criminal offence seen as motivated by hostility or prejudice, according to the University of Exeter.
• Exeter lists examples such as verbal abuse and name-calling, offensive letters, emails or texts, threats or attacks, and damage to property.
• If you are unsure whether something counts, Exeter encourages students to report it anyway.

Where to report

• In an emergency, or if someone is in immediate danger, call 999 in the UK (or the local emergency number).
• For non-emergencies, report to the police online, on 101 or at a police station (GOV.UK).
• Universities often have a report and support system. Exeter, for example, has an online form and can support you in making a police report if you ask.
• Third-party and anonymous options exist in the UK, such as True Vision's 'Report It' tool and Stop Hate UK, according to Exeter.
• Keep a record: date, time, place, what was said or done, any witnesses, and screenshots of online abuse.

Looking after yourself afterwards

• Talk to someone you trust: a friend, family, the international office or the university wellbeing service.
• Experiencing prejudice can affect your mood and sleep. Support services exist for this; the Mental Health module explains how to reach them.
• Do not blame yourself. Discrimination says something about the other person, not about you or your country.
• If you witness it happening to someone else, check they are safe, offer support and, if they want, help them report.