Thread: University of Basrah

Studying in Iraq after I'm done with college is something I've been constantly thinking about. I'm considering it for a lot of reasons, and so far, the pros outweigh the cons:

Pros:

1. I would be valued as a fluent English speaker/writer.
2. I would have more opportunities as a fluent English/Arabic speaker.
3. I would get to experience something new.
4. I would be more valued both in America and Iraq by having a different experience/world view.
5. I would strengthen my Arabic.
6. I'd have a lot more to write about.
7. I would be able to build a foundation in Iraq if I ever want to live there.
8. I would be close to my family, so I'd always have help if I need it.
9. I always have the option of coming back if it doesn't work for me.

Cons:

1. Risk of failure.
2. I'm slow at reading and writing Arabic.
3. Heat in the summer time.
4. How people will percieve/treat me as an American.
5. Because of #4, it may be dangerous.

The Arabic thing is just a handicap, I think. I obviously don't plan to jump into anything without thinking it through completely and/or preparing. I'm ready to learn how to read and write better in Arabic. I already know a little, and I speak it fluently, so I think from now until I'm done with college I'll be in a good enough place. Programs in the University of Basrah are in both Arabic and English, so that will help. I've also got a ton of family who will be by my side if I need them.

So yes, lots to think about, lots of time ahead. I would like to hear all of your opinions on this, because I'm pretty sure that there are a lot more cons to add to the list that I haven't thought of. I feel like I won't lose anything by taking the chance, but at the same time I feel like I'm being way too optimistic.

I say go for it.

The only real con I see is #5.

I checked out Wiki and the university has colleges in medicine and dentistry among a number of other stellar selections. The only thing I would say is to find out if and where the credits from whatever school or college in the university you are interested in transfer over to at an American or Western European university.

A lot of highly educated Russians with doctorates that came to the United States after the fall of the Iron Curtain ended up waiting tables in New York City. American universities don't always accept or value the credits from foreign universities in developing nations or former communist nations. It's a way of keeping the educated in the United States in protected position.

Only one reply? Come on guys, I want all your opinions.

Writ, yeah, the University is big on science and engineering. I'm going to complete my college transfer degree here first, so I can go straight to the UW or Western if it doesn't work out for me in Basrah.

I'm not trying to chase some big doctorate degree so I can get a high paying job in America. This is about getting a new experience, and learning more about my heritage. I appreciate everything in America that has contributed to creating the person I am, but at the same time I feel like I've missed out on a lot by being away from where I was supposed to grow up. I want the best of both worlds.

1. Risk of failure.
2. I'm slow at reading and writing Arabic.
3. Heat in the summer time.
4. How people will percieve/treat me as an American.
5. Because of #4, it may be dangerous.

There is always the risk of failure, if that stops you doing things you will do nothing.
Your Arabic will improve apace in that environment, stay in America and you will always be slow.
When you are in a place like that all year the heat does not come on suddenly so you get used to it as it happens, make sure you don't arrive at the hottest part of the year.

Four and five are more problematical, however, four; among those who know you you should be yourself, the wonderful Dreamworks, before you are an American, people who dismiss you for where you grew up are some sort of racist and not worth consideration. As for five, firstly I don't suppose you look like an American, secondly you are a person who chose to return to 'your' country, not an alien invader, thirdly you will be embedded in your family. There is always a risk of course, people with extreme idealogical views don't see things logically or reasonably. Speaking personally men of violence scare me, but they don't stop me. Of course I have never come up against that level of it. This has to be a personal decision for you and you probably know more about the facts than any of us, and you have a good source of information in your family. You may decide that it is not a sensible thing to do, fair enough, there is no point in dying needlessly because of some mindless moron, but I would hate to think that fear ruled you.

Other than that I would agree with writ, go for it, it is a unique chance, most of your classmates will never leave America or experience another culture and that will so broaden your world view and put you head and shoulders in front of the rest on both continents.

Wherever you go, whatever you do, I have the feeling you will enter in to it heart and soul and get the most you can from it, so in one way it hardly matters, but is there not also a certain young man ... ?

Originally Posted by Olly Buckle

As for five, firstly I don't suppose you look like an American, secondly you are a person who chose to return to 'your' country, not an alien invader, thirdly you will be embedded in your family.

This. You could call yourself an American Iraqi or whatever they call it, or not mention it to those who don't need to know. As long as the Sunnis don't get too much Saudi influenced, I'd be certain you'll be fine. It'll be 10 times safer than say, Egypt.

PS : Basra is Sih'ite dominated, isn't it?

The fourth and fifth cons loom largest to me, Dream; but it depends how you weight them against the pros and how important it is for you to go. I'm not really up to date with how safe Basra (sorry for the British spelling) is now, following the withdrawal of the military presence there.

I think no matter how many responses you get here, the real people who will influence your decision are both yourself and your immediate family.

Something else popped in my head. When would you go? I mean, how long does your current school/college last for? If you're talking about going to Iraq in two/three years, the security situation may have changed by then, and you might end up completely re-evaluating any decision.

Whatever you decide, keep writing and good luck. And if you go, post some photos. Those last photos you posted at the beginning of the year were a great peek at what to many people is an unknown part of the world; famous only (to my generation) for being the host to two wars.

Olly, Rustgold, Blue, thank you for your insights.

There is always the risk of failure, if that stops you doing things you will do nothing.

Exactly.

Four and five are more problematical, however, four; among those who know you you should be yourself, the wonderful Dreamworks, before you are an American, people who dismiss you for where you grew up are some sort of racist and not worth consideration. As for five, firstly I don't suppose you look like an American, secondly you are a person who chose to return to 'your' country, not an alien invader, thirdly you will be embedded in your family. There is always a risk of course, people with extreme idealogical views don't see things logically or reasonably. Speaking personally men of violence scare me, but they don't stop me. Of course I have never come up against that level of it. This has to be a personal decision for you and you probably know more about the facts than any of us, and you have a good source of information in your family. You may decide that it is not a sensible thing to do, fair enough, there is no point in dying needlessly because of some mindless moron, but I would hate to think that fear ruled you.

I'm not really scared of the "danger" aspect of it. It's just something my mom told me to be wary about when I discussed this with her. I pass easily for an Iraqi - well I mean I am an Iraqi, so of course I'll blend in pretty easily. I think there will only be danger if I go around shouting that I'm an American, which I do not intend to do. I'm really more afraid of failing, but like you said, if I don't do something just because I'm afraid, I'll never do anything.

Wherever you go, whatever you do, I have the feeling you will enter in to it heart and soul and get the most you can from it, so in one way it hardly matters, but is there not also a certain young man ... ?

On the deepest level, this is all about me. Of course friends and family have influenced the idea a little, but it's more than that. This is something I really want to do for myself.

This. You could call yourself an American Iraqi or whatever they call it, or not mention it to those who don't need to know.

Yes exactly. The thing is though, people still suspect. Last year when I was in Basrah people noticed things about how I "act" (I still don't know what they meant by that) and they could tell that I wasn't from around there. But if I'm doing something unconsciously that's giving me away, I don't know how I can help that. But I guess that's just a minor thing.

PS : Basra is Sih'ite dominated, isn't it?

Yes, in fact I believe most of Iraq is.

The fourth and fifth cons loom largest to me, Dream; but it depends how you weight them against the pros and how important it is for you to go. I'm not really up to date with how safe Basra (sorry for the British spelling) is now, following the withdrawal of the military presence there.

It's pretty safe now. Like I said, I don't really think the danger thing is a big issue. There's a reason I chose University of Basrah and not another really popular school - it's closer to my family, and it's much smaller and less renowned, so probably less dangerous.

Something else popped in my head. When would you go? I mean, how long does your current school/college last for? If you're talking about going to Iraq in two/three years, the security situation may have changed by then, and you might end up completely re-evaluating any decision.

Sometime in 2013 or at the end of 2012. I'm going to Mecca next year anyways, and then I'm going to Iraq after that for two months. I'll get a chance to tour the school again and get more information, then I can really make the decision.

Whatever you decide, keep writing and good luck. And if you go, post some photos. Those last photos you posted at the beginning of the year were a great peek at what to many people is an unknown part of the world; famous only (to my generation) for being the host to two wars.

Yeah, absolutely. It's a shame that whenever people hear about Iraq now all they picture are images of war and destruction. It's really not like that.

Thanks for your opinions guys. I'd love to hear what anyone else has to say.

Body language, including as reactions to others' body language, can betray you.

Supposedly, Japanese-Brazilians have a very hard time in Japan because of their cultural Brazilianess. This can be problematic for some young Japanese-Brazilian women that walk and interact with a very Brazilian body language and demeanor. Japanese appreciate the white West - to an obsessive degree - but they expect people of Japanese ancestry to be "Japanese." They have a reputation for being very conservative and unforgiving in that.

To a lesser extent I've found Mexican men can have dictatorship expectations over "their women" or that is to say Mexican women. Back in the 1980's Mexican guys on the South side of Milwaukee never liked seeing Mexican girls talking to black guys. You could tell in their facial expressions and body language.

When I was in the UAE the Arab men came across to me like the Mexican men back on the South side of Milwaukee.

So, Japanese, Mexican, or Arab... there are probably more conservative and ethnocentric expectations as to how a woman is suppose to act. Compared to the more Anglonized USA or UK. I would suspect your body language reveals a more Western cultural rearing at times, and the Iraqi Arabs pick it up.