A Dubai CEO of Indian origin, Shreya Pattar, Founder and CEO of Shreya Pattar Ventures, suggested that Indian students planning to study abroad avoid universities with more Indians, sparking an online debate among the netizens.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Shreya Pattar, founder of Shreya Pattar Ventures said, "Any Indian student planning to move abroad for higher education should check how many Indian students that university has. The more the number of Indian students, the lower that university should be on your list of places to join."

Dubai CEO
Source: The Economic Times

She further added, "A big Indian community of students doesn’t come with a “homely” feeling. It comes with toxic Indian patterns: Too much drama, lack of professionalism, no good role models, no leadership or responsibility towards juniors, self-centred behaviour, “group-ism", back bitching, no seriousness towards the future. If you plan to move out of the country, make sure you are also staying away from that mindset, attitude, and nature of people."

The post was shared on May 12th, 2024. More than eight lakh people have viewed the message online, with 7,500 likes and it has received both support and condemnation. While some users agreed with her viewpoint, emphasizing the value of stepping outside of one's comfort zone and avoiding familiar groups, others argued that a person's ability to succeed overseas depends more on their work than on the background or ethnicity of their fellow students.

Dubai CEO
Source: The Economics time

Pattar further emphasized, "If you plan to move out of the country, make sure you are also staying away from that mindset, attitude, and nature of people. You shouldn’t need such people around you to 'feel at home'. And if you DO, then might as well just not move abroad."

Many readers agreed with Shreya Pattar's ideas and even related personal tales of mistreatment they had received from Indians living abroad.

One user said, "I respectfully disagree. Having a community of Indian students can provide a sense of familiarity and support, especially in a new country. It's about finding the right balance between comfort and exposure to diverse perspectives."

While another X user said, “I can not agree more with you. In 2011 I went to Australia to work in a hospital and there the most toxic people and most envious towards Indians were Indians only. It was a shock for me once I reach there and till the time I left Australia I could not come to terms with it."

“On point. What's the point of going abroad if you only hang out with your own people," agreed another user.

“1000% true. I got to study abroad for highschool and bachelor's and it was in quite unconventional places. There were very few Indians and at first it was difficult but so worth it now. It makes the biggest difference in learning."

In contrast, many users disagreed with Pattar's opinion and tried to explain the need to connect with Indians abroad.

“I spent about a decade studying & working abroad. There's all sorts. Generalizing and avoiding South Asians is not helpful. Neither is only sticking to them outside of work. Take each one as an individual, regardless of origin, accent, appearance, income. That way I found friends," wrote an X user.

I’d say you are projecting your own toxic experience. And life? I studied in top schools in India and the US. I made great friends in and outside the Indian community. What you perceive in others is often a mirror of who you are,” wrote another.

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