When Indian students head abroad for studies, they often seek out fellow Indians or South Asians. It’s like finding a slice of home in a new place. With countless Indian students in foreign universities, it’s easy to connect and form a tight-knit community. Sharing similar cultures, food, and experiences helps create a sense of belonging, making the transition to studying abroad smoother.
However, an Indian entrepreneur named Shreya Pattar begs to differ. She took to X to advise Indian students travelling abroad for higher education to not choose a university with the highest number of Indian students.
“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,” she wrote.
She claimed that the same students would perpetuate “toxic Indian patterns” like “too much drama” and “lack of professionalism”. She further added that mixing with the same bunch of people negates one’s purpose of moving abroad.
“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. You shouldn’t need such people around you to “feel at home”. And if you DO, then might as well just not move abroad,” she wrote.
Have a look at her full post here:
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.
A big Indian community of students doesn’t come…
— Shreya Pattar (@ShreyaPattar) May 12, 2024
This started a debate on social media. On one hand, there were people with similar experiences who agreed with what she had to say. They added how they’ve kept their circle of Indian people smaller because of the above-mentioned toxicity.
Have a look:
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.
— Investabhishek (@investabhishek) May 12, 2024
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.
— A 🐚☀️ (@mentalmusings12) May 12, 2024
8 years in USA and have 8 indian friends here. 2 in the same city I live in. Rest are everywhere else. And just to add Indian Americans who are born and raised here are also equally toxic.
— Jena (@mehtaversed) May 12, 2024
Agreed, reason of me being stayed away always from bur dubai. My first house was in Barsha Height and later I moved to JBR.
Bur dubai, discovery Garden and JLT. U will feel India vibe and mark my word not in a good way.
— Sanjay Singh (@sanjaywk) May 13, 2024
You are absolutely spot on! To add to what you have said this would help one interact more with the local community and people and you would learn their culture and language, speak the way they do, and get better accepted wherever you are!
— Seetharaman K C 🇮🇳 (@seetharamankc) May 16, 2024
On the other hand, there were many who begged to differ. They expressed how being surrounded by Indians can provide a sense of familiarity and support, especially in a new country.
Have a look:
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.
— I Know Nothing (@rkl_1980) May 12, 2024
With due respect this comes from your lack of exposure to other cultures, choice of your company, environment and upbringing, and myopic mindset. To get into a Canadian or American university means grinding work that leaves no time for what you’re talking about. Your success will…
— Ray Gaur (@raygaurca) May 12, 2024
I’d say you are projecting your own toxic experience. And life?
I studied in top schools in India and the US. Made great friends in the Indian community and outside it.
What you perceive in others is often a mirror of who you are.
— Sankrant Sanu सानु संक्रान्त ਸੰਕ੍ਰਾਂਤ ਸਾਨੁ (@sankrant) May 12, 2024
I mostly agree with you, but I respectfully disagree on one point. I believe that while seniors can provide guidance and mentorship, it is ultimately the responsibility of juniors to take ownership of their own actions and decisions.
Seniors are not responsible for what juniors…
— Abhishek Subramanian (@wthAbhishek) May 13, 2024
So you had tough competition from Indian students. Students who went there to study and Indian Americans as well.
The toxic culture is competition babe. Gear up.— Vaibhavi Limaye (@LimayeVaibhavi) May 13, 2024
Which side are you on?