My journey as a Qatari student through India’s cultural mosaic

Published: 06 May 2025

By Ali Hamad Al Marri

Before enrolling as a Qatari student at an Indian university, at their campus in Doha, I was prepared to encounter a land rich in history, colour, and complexity. But what I wasn’t prepared for — what no guidebook or website could have captured — was how this journey would reshape my soul.

Now, in my second year at this university in Doha, I find myself not just learning from lectures, but from life itself. Each chai stall conversation, every celebration from Diwali to Eid, every train ride through Indian cities and villages through these conversations with my friends — all have become chapters in a story of unexpected understanding.

Now I understand that India is not just diverse — it is a living, breathing mosaic. I learned that in one day, I might hear five languages, pass ten temples, mosques, and churches. I share meals with classmates whose stories span the length of this vast subcontinent.

Coming from Qatar — a country proud of its deep traditions, hospitality, and faith — I have come to see culture not as a boundary, but as a bridge. About India, I’ve discovered that while customs may differ, the human heart beats to a rhythm we all share: respect, compassion, and a yearning to connect.

At times, I’ve stood as a cultural mirror, reflecting the Arab world back to curious classmates and professors. We’ve shared conversations on Islam, the Gulf, and the beauty of the desert. These dialogues have broken stereotypes and built friendships. I have not only learned about India — I’ve learned how others see me, and in doing so, I’ve seen myself more clearly.

Of course, the path hasn’t always been smooth. There were moments of confusion at unfamiliar norms, and even frustration at adjusting to a new academic system. But every challenge was a lesson in resilience. I’ve grown — not just in knowledge, but in character.

India has taught me something no classroom could: that we, the youth, are quiet diplomats. Our friendships are treaties. Our stories are foreign policy. We may not speak from podiums, but we speak from the heart — and those words matter.

To my Indian peers: thank you for your warmth. You’ve made this land feel like home.

To my fellow Qataris: know that our values are not confined to borders. We carry them with us — with pride, humility, and purpose.

And to students everywhere: step beyond the familiar. The world is not something to fear — it is a vast invitation to grow.

In a world often divided by what makes us different, India has shown me that those very differences can be our starting point. Not for separation—but for connection. Not for fear—but for friendship.

(The author is a BBA student at MIE-SPPU, Doha )