Identity
I was not going to write about this now, but the topic was suggested so decided to write while I have internet access. The question is how do we observe our identity outside Iran? How do you cope with the tension and bad media out of your homeland? As someone who has been in and out of the country several times to different places, I do miss our country but what prevents us from going back there? Don't tell me you prefer to live and work in Tehran rather than anywhere in UK, while we are in this messed up situation. From my point of view, it's good to come out of country, study and gain experience and knowledge and go back and serve your country but do you believe, honestly, you can live in that tense and under-pressure environment?When you tried the taste of personal freedom, you don't let it go that easliy. By keeping all this in mind, let's repeat the question once more:
What does identity mean for people like us? Do we try to keep it or as the times goes by a new identity will be formed? wWhat are the pros and cons of this new identity (if there is any)?
All views are welcomed as long as they respect other people's views and ideas.
Great ,it is very nice topic but two questions regarding to your post
1-"don't tell me you prefer to live and work in Tehran and rather than anywhere in UK", why ? maybe some one has reasons !
2-"All views are welcomed as long as they don't ciritise other people's views and ideas." ,this is a very imperative controversial issue of all of us therefore what is the value to discuss about it,if we are not allowed to discuss about other views ?
(at July 4, 2004 12:55 AM)
I am talking about majority not minority if you do understand,if you have reasons to go back,good for you.
Please,do not paraphrase the postings;I did say DO NOT CRITICISE,Do check your dictionary it might help.And as I said,that was my idea,you can't say why do you want to stay,'cause this was not the question I started with.Thanks.
(at July 4, 2004 09:01 AM)
About working, I have made it clear for myself: If I go back to Iran, I will not go to that giant dog-eat-dog smug hole called Tehran. Why?
1- Because it's "extremely" polluted. Would you go work inside a gas chamber if they pay you good money?
2- The traffic is chaotic and getting worse everyday. In rush hours, motorways basically become huge parkings.
Therefore by going to Tehran I will put my life in danger and waste a big proportion of my time. On the other hand, apart from family and friends, Tehran does not have any specific advantage for me. While you can settle down in other major cities such as Esfahan, Shiraz, or Mashad and do business, why would I choose to go to Tehran to ruin my life? If I miss my friends or the smoky ValiAsr street, I will visit Tehran for a couple of days and escape again.
(at July 4, 2004 12:59 PM)
About Identity: as an international student from Iran, I enjoyed my student life a lot. In general, I would say my years as a student in britain were amongst the best years of my life. However, occasionally I experienced prejudice because of my nationality or the part of the world I come from, which, as you pointed out, is largely because of the image that the media have created about us (both Iranian and western media). I tried to express my feelings about it in my post Piggy in the Middle.
I guess our identity always stays with us, but the question is "how good we can merge and adapt with our new environment" whether it's university or an organisation. If we're adaptable enough, we will not only keep our identity but will also integrate into and become part of the new society. It takes time though, and patience.
(at July 4, 2004 01:12 PM)
I don't quite understand what you mean. In fact you have put forward 2 different questions and that makes me a bit confused. About going back to Iran to work, well I guess this is very individual and it's different from person to person (the same way our life style and backgrounds are different from person to person). For example westender says he would never go back to tehran because he hates pollution and traffic. very true. but for example i have to go back to tehran because all my properties and investment is there. to be honest i'm also thinking of moving out of tehran, perhaps establishing a base either in a free trade zone (kish or dubai?). but that has not happened yet and i "have to" stay there.
Identity: I'm also not sure what exactly you mean by identity. If you mean character, then I think all of us have seen change in ourselves. Both age and new experiences (studying abroad) play a role in this change of character. I guess "identity" to me has a more formal meaning, like my ID card or my name or passport. For instance if you become an Australian citizen, then your formal identity would chang but your character might not change that much!
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