KU: Heartbeat of foreign students of Pakistan

By Aden Dahir

Living outside your motherland can be a tough experience. It is good once in a while to go abroad, either for studies or for a visit. Interestingly, what you get in return is more than something material. It is a treasure trove of experience and a new way of dealing with problems. It is believed that if a person knows how to solve his problems, it is a gift. I believe it can help lead a better life.

Interacting with others from different cultural, religious and ideological backgrounds contributes a colourful experience to your perceptions. Only when you look at the other side of the coin you come to know the reality of the living standards of foreign students, particularly Somali students, at Karachi University. For example, a research conducted recently among Somali students showed that most of them see Pakistan as their second home where there is neither a cultural shock nor any religious difference. Students get a warm welcome from the local people.

The KU administration makes the admission process easy for foreign students, particularly from the Muslim world, and a large number of foreign students enroll each year at different departments of Karachi University. For instance, 80 to 90 Somali students are currently enrolled at the University of Karachi, the majority of them being in the faculty of Pharmacy and Microbiology. Few others including myself are enrolled in the faculty of Arts. Many students from various other countries are also enrolled at KU. These students live in the Federal Boys Hostel of the University of Karachi and outside.

Not only at Karachi University are Somali students. They are also enrolled in many public and private universities in Pakistan. The second largest number of Somali students is enrolled at the International Islamic University in Islamabad and at the University of Engineering and Technology in Lahore. During an interview being conducted, the students underlined how grateful they are to the KU administration and the government of Pakistan. They said that they will never forget the hospitality they have received from their brothers at KU and they will carry these good memories with them when they go back to their homeland.

Finally I would like to relate something important I have realized. There is no form of harassment/discrimination in Pakistan and that is what most attracted me. Many of my friends have the same perception. The ambiance at KU is friendly, where the foreign students share their views with the administration and the professors of their respective departments.

There is a good relationship and co-operation between their Pakistani counterparts, fellows and teachers, who help them as their guests.

I will never forget the knowledge and cosmopolitan –cultures that I have gained Pakistan and the goodness has done for us the government of Pakistan and its people.