As an ex-Dubai-resident and returning US college student, I have had the misfortune of experiencing a very unique phenomenon which I’d like to term reverse culture shock. What do I mean by this? When migrating from Dubai, particularly to the US, at eighteen or nineteen for higher education, Dubai kids often undergo culture shock in their new environments. It is only natural for a Dubai kid to wonder about the relevance of the Ferguson attacks, ponder over their preferred gender pronouns, and marvel a bit too much over Chipotle, Netflix, Spotify, frat parties, etc. In general, we do not experience as much culture shock coming from the melting pot that is Dubai, as do other international students at universities. Nonetheless, overseas college students are and always will be Non-Resident “Aliens” (indeed a government term) when in America.

Now coming back to reverse culture shock, what I am referring to is that strange feeling that settled over me upon my first week back in Dubai after a yearlong vacation in New York. US colleges are very generous with their summer vacations, giving three and a half months off from a hectic academic life. My first week back—or more like second week since most of week 1 was spent overcoming jet lag—was spent questioning my values and beliefs as well as those of Dubai society and, to a certain extent, feeling ‘shocked’ or uncomfortable at what I discovered. Perhaps I am superimposing my own current predicament onto Dubai kids in general, but this is a trend I have seen in many if not all my peers returning to Dubai this summer.

In Dubai, we live an immensely sheltered life. Dubai residents are essentially visitors to the country, rather than nationals with a passionate sense of belonging. For this reason, the issues faced by such a transient society are much different to those faced by a more permanent population. The sad truth is that whilst Dubai kids are at an advantage of being in a cultural melting pot, we often touch with our culture heritage by conforming to a median. In US I found myself really pushing beyond the practicalities of daily life, instead, engaging in thoughtful debates over national issues. I realized I was starting to do something I hadn’t previously done whilst living in Dubai; I was starting to believe in something and feel like I belong.

The sad truth is that Dubai kids are surely at the advantage of being in a cultural melting pot, yet in the process we often lose touch with our culture heritage by conforming to a median. At Columbia University, I had the opportunity, as an Indian student, to join countless clubs and societies dedicated to celebrating Southeast Asia culture ranging from dance groups to charity organizations to cultural awareness clubs. In addition to this, the number of other nationalities represented in some shape or form at university was so diverse and informative, I came back having celebrated Chinese New Year, knowing a great deal more about Jewish Shabbat, and craving Spanish paella. I came back after witnessing riots within close proximity of my residence halls, and protests for important issues in all major street corners of the city.