Culture Shock

[Mikhail Thatcher]

"Just be warned." Mick cautioned. "That not all of the teachers will happily agree to you using your phone as a translator, and even the ones who do will more than likely hover over you for the first couple of times in their class. But once you have established the trust, you won't have any problems. And if need be, get those teachers to speak to the ones who are against it." He just wanted to make it clear that not all of the teachers would be completely happy about it to start off. Though, he was sure that the same programme could also be installed on a tablet, and all of the classrooms had them.

He pressed his lips together in thought as he listened to the student speak of his concerns about returning home for the break. "You will have changed as much as they have." He finally said softly. "You said yourself that your friends are like your extended family, so no, it is not wrong that you feel this depth of worry about their safety and emotional health. And if I were one of them, I would be pleased to have you as a friend, knowing that you've got my back no matter what is happening." He gave a warm smile. "It might be a good idea to share some of your concerns with them while you are at home. Let them know that they can still text or email you at any time of the day, or night."

[Khalid Al-Kuwari]

Khalid nodded slowly. It was still a shock that any teacher would be okay with him using his cell phone in class. Teachers were respected adults, and Khalid had no intention of breaking any of their trust. If any one of them didn't like the use of cell phones in class, then he wasn't in a position to argue. They were his elders and that alone demanded respect.

Given the difficulty in finding friends in America, Khalid couldn't help but feel a little proud at the idea of him being a good friend. There was never any need to branch out and make new friends at home. They were all rich, had attentive and demanding parents, and shared similar cultures, so it was a very different experience from the diversity in backgrounds that existed in America. Khalid let himself relax a little bit. So far, Mick hadn't said anything derogatory or patronizing. Talking about problems didn't make them go away, but it opened up new options and possibilities.

"One last thing."

He paused for a moment, suddenly unsure if it would be an appropriate question to ask.

"Am I safe here? Um, on the news and on the Internet, many people obviously hate Muslims. And well, I read a lot of horrible things about Qatar and the royal family. I can't deny that His Highness Tamim bin Hamad is my cousin or that I grew up in a more conservative Muslim home. But some of the insults directed at Qataris...I wouldn't dare repeat them."

Maybe it was needless worrying, but he knew there was concern among some of the immigrants at mosque. The Middle East had its problems, and Khalid thought Al Jazeera did a good job of covering them, but it was still a crime to openly criticize the royal family. Not that many people in Qatar would want to do so. There was free healthcare, free education, no taxes, an increase in salary, and a high standard of living. It felt like the image people in America had of the Emir was something entirely foreign to the image in Qatar. On campus, Khalid couldn't say any of the students treated him worse for his religious affiliation, but he didn't really talk about it too much either. But, they didn't live in a bubble, and he was concerned that it was only a matter of time before someone said something.

[Mikhail Thatcher]

Mick's eyebrows rose as it seemed that Khalid was getting ready to leave.

He nodded his head at the words, as while he didn't watch much of the news himself, he was very up to date with all the happenings in the States toward the Muslims. "I think that this school is internationally balanced that you will find that you are more than safe here" He replied smoothly, as the teachers were as internationally acquired as the students were, which should mean that the young man wouldn't be faced with the same animosity as students at public schools were facing. And being a non-religious school also meant that it wasn't a topic to come up in class as often as it would in another school

"And there should be no need to deny who your family is, if you are not asked." And he didn't seem to be the kind of person to just blurt out information about himself. With that said though, if you ever do find yourself coming under the scrutiny of other people on campus." He wasn't foolish enough to think that the animosity would only come from the students, that there could indeed be an adult or two who could persecute the boy for where he came from and his beliefs. "My door is always open, or go and speak with Ms Hart."

[Khalid Al-Kuwari]

Khalid had to admit that at school, he was probably less likely to face any Islamophobia than if he were walking around Bowling Green, but he was also without his usual support. There were no laws banning criticism of Islam and Islamic countries.

He bit his tongue at the mention of discussing his family, ties to the Al-Thanis in particular. Khalid was no stranger to name dropping and was used to the respect he got by casually referring to His Highness Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani as his cousin. Though, it seemed that family relations mattered less in America.

"Of course. I haven't had any problems yet, but with some of what is said online, it's hard to not be a little worried. Laws here are also different, so people can say things in America that would be met with prison sentences in Qatar."

It was kind of amazing what talking could do. Sure, no one could change his situation, but there were ways to make it more manageable. His father would still be furious if he knew that his son needed counseling, but that sentiment was due to a deep stigma against mental health. He could already imagine some of the comments from his father, mostly along the lines of Khalid being suicidal, schizophrenic, or just plain weak. The government was working to minimize that stigma, but sometimes, old habits die hard.

"Thank you, Mick. This was...helpful. At home, I could never talk with someone like this. I know there's nothing anyone can do to attract more Arab students, but I think I'll be okay. Just...so long as my parents don't know I'm having trouble adjusting."

[Mikhail Thatcher]

Mick bowed his head when it seemed that the boy wasn't currently having any problems that he was worried about and chuckled at the mention of laws being different. "I know what you mean with that one." He empathised. "A part of me still wonders if I should have listened to my father and studied English law after all." But if he'd gone to law school as the man had wanted, he would never have come to America, and he really didn't want to think about working in a stuffy office or some tall building defending some criminal or another that didn't deserve or need it.

He smiled at Khalid's thanks and spread his hands. "As I never wrote anything down, you were never here." He said. Even on his way here from the barn he hadn't noted to anyone that he would be speaking with a student, so he was a little surprised that his phone hadn't gone off at least once - his parents had a good habit of knowing when he was busy. "Even if you don't want to schedule regular talks, please remember that my door is always open if you find that you need to take some weight off your shoulders." He gave a half smile at his words.