Cultural Insight : Shereen Ahmed

An In-depth interview with Shereen Ahmed as she unfolds her experiences in Dubai as a culturally involved individual, telling us how she feels about her Bahraini and Filipino culture and the way it is embraced in Dubai. Coming from a multi- cultural background with an Iranian ethnicity, Filipina mother, and a nationalized Bahraini father, Shereen believes that her culture is embraced in Dubai with its diverse people and cultural events. An aspiring journalist, model, and third-year student at Middlesex, Shereen Ahmed from Bahrain tells us how she feels about living in a multi-cultural city like Dubai. Shereen is culturally involved - attending cultural events listening to other cultures music and eating their national food I can proudly say she is a well rounded enthusiastic person! Having friends from all over the world has allowed her to interact in a socially, culturally and diverse manner to learn from them. She is very passionate about her own, but she finds it fascinating to be able to feel like one of them. She knows a few words in Swahili, such as Mambo, Poa, Asante, Nataka. This was something I found surprising during my interview with her, actually it is quite amusing! Shereen has shown her different side to her identity allowing others to easily interact with her and vice versa she teaches other about her Bahraini/Filipino side. “Since Bahrain is a part of the GCC, which UAE is also a part. It’s no surprise to find that Bahraini and Emirati culture are somewhat alike and so living here doesn’t feel too far different from Bahrain because we share the same language, music, food, and culture.” She feels very comfortable seeing and having visited a few restaurant that is Bahraini such as ‘Bahraini Kebab’ in different locations like Al Quoz and Global Village during the winter months. Many (Overseas Filipino Workers) can get a feel of home with the well-known Filipino restaurant Jollibee. There is a place for everyone in Dubai, whatever one feels like having whether it is Zereshkh Polow from Iran or the Bahraini Kebab, Dubai sets the ‘home away from home’ environment, which is very intriguing. Living in Dubai for three years now, Shereen has globally tasted foods from different places around the world. Attending International Day at Middlesex Dubai and the famous Global Village every year, Shereen has a few favourites. A Nigerian dish called 'Plantain,' Turkish dish 'Börek' and 'Panipuri 'from India. Shereen finds rhythm through other cultures; she enjoys Indian , Pakistani music allowing her to catch a few words In Urdu, such as Atscha, Nahin , Dschii haan and other basic words. I am amazed by her diverse use of other cultures languages. She also enjoys Afro-beats, which is a popular type of music involving African music, jazz, and soul. When asked whether culture affects an individual’s personality Shereen says " Culture plays an important role in affecting how a person treats others, sees the world, and their perception of various things. Sometimes, through someone’s culture, a person can determine why the other is a certain way that isn’t like the others".