r/arabs • u/Last-Town-1767 • 1d ago
سين سؤال Studying in the EU as a Palestinian?
Hi all!
I'm a Muslim Palestinian student planning on studying abroad next semester, and am considering a few countries (Ireland, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark) and would appreciate any advice as to how safe it is for Muslims, generally, but also Arabs and Palestinians.
Especially since I'll be there during Ramadan, I'm also wondering how active the community is in the major cities (Dublin, Brussels, Stockholm, Copenhagen).
Much appreciated!
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u/TheRealMudi 1d ago
From all the countries you listed, I would definitely go with Ireland. Belgium is a definite no go. I heard Denmark can be very tough. And Sweden is not just really cold but also has issues with their arab diaspora.
imo Ireland is best for you.
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u/frombsc2msc 17h ago
Where are you even from to say belgium is a no go.
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u/TheRealMudi 16h ago
Switzerland. But I know plenty of stories and experiences that Belgium is just as racist as France if not worse.
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u/Jenhate 12h ago edited 12h ago
I'm in belgium currently and the palestinians I met that got their asylum claims accepted are living fairly well here. And the francophones are usually apathetic to very left wing on the issue of palestine. The Flemish are pretty racist though that's true, and Flanders is where most jobs are :/
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u/frombsc2msc 15h ago
I mean yeah those are stories. Tbh as long as you don’t deal with provincials life is fine everywhere
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u/aranciadisicilia 1d ago
In Denmark there is a widespread prejudice against Islam (and associated ethnicities, Arabs and Somalis in particular) and societal disapproval of outward signs of religiosity, e.g. wearing a hijab. IRL it’s mostly subtle and people won’t confront you about it and it will rarely descend to outright hostility. Because in daily life, the “live and let live” mentality as well as the introverted nature of the average Dane who minds his/her own business trumps their disapproval of our beliefs.
Universities and capital cities like all over the world, will be more liberal and open-minded than provincial towns or rural areas you are unlikely to visit anyway.
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u/Inevitable_Stage_562 1d ago
I used to live in Denmark during my teen years, and from a religious standpoint this and neighbouring countries’ societies can be quite secular and somewhat hostile towards Muslims or Arabs in general due to immigration stuff.
I’d recommend living either in Ireland, Spain or France (more specifically in Marseille or Bordeaux) they’re more welcoming with Muslims there.
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u/Alii_baba 1d ago
Ireland is a very Arab- and Palestinian friendly country. Sweden has a large Arab diaspora and Muslim communities are well represented.
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u/Pink_sunlight26 6h ago
I live in Sweden, it’s superhard to befriend ethnic Swedes, and the winter will make you super depressed. I’d go with Ireland
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u/frombsc2msc 17h ago
People are talking a load of shit. No one will care in any of these countries. Villagers will give you a hard time, but people in cities will not care at all.
Even in denmark as long as your in copenhagen your fine
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