I’m planning on doing my DVM at a university in Pakistan (not private) and have a couple of questions that maybe some of you could help me with.
I’m from Canada, born and raised, but both of my parents are Pakistani. I plan on living in a school owned hostel located on campus. I will have 4+ girls in my room in first year.
1). Any tips for me on how to get along with my fellow students? I’m sure social cues in Pakistan differ from Canada.
2). Tips on how to stay safe.
3). If I am non-religious, will this effect people’s treatment towards me? I realize most of the students and teachers will be Muslim.
4). Appropriate clothing for school and when out and about (for a female)?
5). I have tattoos. Would you recommend I keep these hidden?
You don’t have to answer all of these questions or any at all, even just some general tips would be appreciated!
I wouldn’t know since i have not studied in Pakistan but know those who have. i wouldn’t talk religion. Depending on where you live. I guess Lahore would be salwar kameez or jeans. I know in LUMs people wear both and are quite liberal minded. Does the place you are studying at have a fb page. I’d recommend going on there and also asking students.
I’d recommend being cautious before you get to know the place. Probably best to hide the tattoos.
I wouldn’t engage in religious conversation just to be on the safe side. Generally i’d say its one of those topics you don’t want to delve into.
I can ask a friend of mine in similar situation who has studied in Lahore. If you can mention which university it is even by PM i can give you better idea.
I would also recommend joining social networking sites of that university and gettinga feel of it. LUMs has a great presence online.
Re: Oversea Pakistani Planning to Study at Pakistani Government Uni
Hey no worries. Just get to know people and observe them before telling about any liberal beliefs. Observe how others dress. Find ex pats similar to you and try to get to know some before joining. But be careful in how much you reveal. Maybe if you trust them skype chat with female ex pats going to Punjab University. I have talked to a lot of my Pakistani friends who are similar. I posted it on a couple of Pakistani liberal groups and got some great detailed answers. Some went to Punjab university or know those who have had. many from Lahore. I will PM a detailed response but I will mention broad points here in case it helps others.
I know what you mean. I went abroad for some studies. I was confused whether to message but really it depends on the group there. Just ask general questions and find similar minded people. Trust me they exist.
PS. I am an Indian settled abroad but i have a lot of Pakistani friends here and many online who i trust. So i would definitely trust them.
You seem like you have liberal beliefs and so I would recommend you joining some Pakistani liberal groups online. Get to know some people there. You will come across many liberal minded folk in Lahore and also some for Uni of Punjab.
Re: Oversea Pakistani Planning to Study at Pakistani Government Uni
Like Monk says they pick up on it. I wear salwar kameez in India and they can still tell i grew up abroad.
Be careful about electronic products. Just generally don’t take it with you when outside and keep it safely secured because sometime hostel lockers are not safe. If you are making a phone call go to a safe area and call to avoid people who might pinch the phone. Don’t bring anything very expensive unless you have family and friends who live in the city who you can trust. Otherwise buy what you need there.
Re: Oversea Pakistani Planning to Study at Pakistani Government Uni
Ok here is my response to questions. Detailed stuff i’ll PM you about Lahore transport and all as my friends gave this and i should protect their confidentiality These are answers my friend who studied in college in Lahore gave me. He is my close friend and i would trust it. He is similar to you. Overall if you find the right crowd it could be a good experience. I am happy to help fellow desis especially liberal minded ones because we can make south asia a better place.
Find out the environment of the hostel and how are the girls who are your dorm mates. Remember if you do not get along with them you can transfer.
· 1. First of all some of my friends said how is your Urdu. Keep an Urdu dictionary including one to translate Urdu words just in case. It was recommended by some of my Pakistani friends abroad to make friends with other ex-patriates who can show you around and can make you feel comfortable. This way you can make a pretty big group. How good is your Urdu? Try to make friends with other expats. When I was in Pak, all of my friends were also PaPakistanis who had lived abroad for a period of time. It was a pretty big group. With social norms just say things like others do like Salaam, InshaAllah, MashaAllah etc and get the girls in your dorm to fill you in on any particular social customs. You will be fine with that.
Don’t carry very expensive things with you on casual visits. Be careful when making phone calls like mentioned earlier. Travel in big groups when going to new places and generally be aware of surroundings. If you have family friends let them show you around. Go with trusted friends to new places if you are new to the area. Keep eye out on valuables when on the street.
Don’t talk religion and get into political debates on the street. Keep in mind religious sensitivities- if your religious friend in dorm is doing namaaz just be aware not to play loud music. don’t discuss touchy religious topics. This was a tip a friend from Islamic university Islamabad gave me. Keep valuables closely with you when on street. If you have non-Muslim beliefs be careful who you talk to about it. In general don’t mention religion. If your passport and documentation doesn’t have your religion stamped on it then don’t need to worry about mentioning your religion. A friend told me that the presence of Jamaat has increased in Uni of punjab..and gangs of IJT and iRS roam the place harassing students and staff. Your dorm mates should let you in on this. Sometimes they intimidate women into covering their heads so i would keep a dupatta in your purse. Some of my friends joked about making sure you have a mini mace, spray and a gun..but they were joking about the gun. Don’t get that unless you have extensive firearms training.
I I don’t know if it is possible but if DVM is offered in LUMS or similar universities maybe try transfer. Since LUMs is management science maybe not. But you can call the uni and ask if similar colleges do veterinary medicine. Riphah College of Veterinary Sciences - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia LUMS has good academic standards and my friends who studied there found the environment there great. I’d join the LUMs page and look for similar minded friends. https://www.facebook.com/lahoreuniversityofmanagementsciences They have great clubs and societies on campus such as photographic society.
If you are around family depending on their religiosity choose your clothes. In private settings depending on the environment decide. In college and outside just observe..my friends say shalwar kameez is fine and comfortable. They wear it abroad as well. You can also do jeans and kurtas. Observe for a few weeks what is common in the classes you attend. Shorts, sleeveless and skirts may not be appropriate. Wearing sleeveless shirt with jeans really depends where you are in Lahore. Gulberg is a nice modern place with great shopping centre. So depends but on college wear shalwar kameez and keep dupatta with you.
With tattoos it depends on surroundings. I’d keep it hidden from jamaati types and those conservative minded. The admin at PU is conservative. Some like my friend at Islamic university said it should be no problem. Really it depends on surroundings so be cautious.
One of my friends doing DVM at Pakistan said PU does not really offer it. Not sure if he is thinking another PU but i’d make sure the academic credentials of the course is solid and valid in Canada. There was a bit of hesitancy about PU since it has changed a lot. If you can get a more liberal minded uni like LUMS it could be better but basically if you find a good group, just focus on studies, don’t mention religion it should be ok.
I hope that helps. This is just some basics. Will send you more info later. Feel free to email/skype me if you need help..and if around will get onto it.
There are lot of nice lahoris on here. @StrangeOne is from Lahore and can give more info. She is my friend and very nice. Very open minded.
Re: Oversea Pakistani Planning to Study at Pakistani Government Uni
Actually from what i have heard people have some concerns about PU given what you have said above. What about DVM at Faculty of Animal Husbandry and veterinary sciences, SAU, Tandojam. He said he was fine people knew his beliefs and even the local hostel maulvi. No one said anything. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Faculty-of-Animal-Husbandry-and-Veterinary-Sciences-SAUTandojam/281906725204292?pnref=lhc
Obviously everyone has different experiences and PU could be an awesome place. the admin is conservative and there are some Jamaati groups from what friends have told me. So just dress conservatively and have conservative approach when it comes to strangers and you should be fine. Seek out ex pats initially and then also local friends.
I agree with MOnk when he says be friends with girls only from the university. My friend at Sindh university said that some people would make up rumours if a girl walked with a guy saying things about them and what they are upto. He did say at Sindh univerisity if a girl complained about a guy they would beat up the guy. Sometimes tharki type students of political parties/militant wings will beat up a guy for sitting next to a girl. Stuff like this happens in India. Also if it is a conservative campus due to IJT and all i would be cautious about that as well. My friend says these universities are subsidised so all children can attend so you get a range of people with different views.
You may have to be acting socially and religiously conservative because PU is not a liberal campus at all and you’ll do well. Observe them for a few weeks..wear shalwar kameez, have dupatta, Just keep your valuables locked. My friend said she knows people who have got stuff stolen from hostel rooms all the time. The less people you socialise with in hostel it will be better as living together can become hard. Just have a few trusted like minded friends.
Don’t start a debate on tattoos. My female friend who has tattoos on arm and neck has a no-nonsense approach. don’t start a debate don’t discuss. JUst don’t encourage any debate on it if they are in visible places. People may come up with some crazy theories to say to you. Just ignore or brush away.
Re: Oversea Pakistani Planning to Study at Pakistani Government Uni
hopefully i didnt scare you. Others say it is a fun university and it’s in Lahore which has lot of fun loving people. Just be careful of Jamaat influence and stay away is what all say. Also be dressed conservative and act socially conservative initially in any case.
My friend said for me nt to scare you much and for you to just chill and relax. Some say it is an alaa university..alaa meaning awesome in Pakistani And that you will enjoy it. Others are more wary and say it has changed. The admin is very conservative. So just observe see how it goes and keep what i said above in mind.
clothing/tattoos depends who you’re with. In general wear shalwar kameez..sleeveless/jeans/shorts/skirts may not be advisable. but just see what other girls are wearing.
This is just some basics. Will send you more info later. Feel free to email/skype me if you need help..and if around will get onto it.