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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.