The scene is now common on the campus of Birzeit University, near Ramallah: a group of students, dressed in the latest fashions, gathers around in animated conversation oblivious to its surroundings. The language is English, the accents American. Who are they?
They are the "natives".
They were not born and raised in Palestine, yet are called "natives" by those who were. The term describes Palestinians who are "native English-speakers" and they form a distinct group within the student body. No one seems to know their exact number at Birzeit but most agree there are over one hundred now, and their ranks are growing rapidly on campus.
In the last two years, over 60,000 Diaspora Palestinians have returned to the West Bank and Gaza, according to the Arab Center for Futuristic and Development Research. The Ministry of Information specifies that around 90% of these 'a'diin (returnees) work for the Palestinian National Authority and have relocated to Gaza City and Ramallah, which has already been dubbed by many the "City of Returnees". Due to its proximity to Ramallah, Birzeit University has witnessed an influx of students who were raised and educated in America and other parts of the "western world". Ziad Izzat, Director of Student Affairs at the university says "Many returnees have come from the west to live in Ramallah and its environs. Their children naturally tend to go to Birzeit." Incoming "westernized" students are also drawn to Birzeit University because of its international program and another element, particular to the university: "We attract students from overseas because we represent a democratically-oriented institution where we incorporate students from all backgrounds, like those which lived in the West", explains Izzat.
But are the "natives" Westerners, Palestinians or... both? "I'm 80% Palestinian, 20 % Westerner," says one, while another responds: "I feel more like a Westerner than a Palestinian". Perhaps the best response is given by another "native", more pragmatic, who simply states: "I am a Palestinian who was raised in the West; therefore, I am entirely Palestinian but I have western characteristics".
Dalia, 18, is a typical "native" who grew up in San Bernardino, California. In 1994, she returned with her family to Al-Bireh. "I came here before my junior year and finished my last two years of high school at the Friends School in Ramallah. Now I'm studying business at Birzeit. Eventually, I hope to transfer to another university and get a degree in journalism." Like Dalia, Omar, 19, is in his first year at Birzeit, having arrived in September of '96. "After finishing my high school education in Chicago, where I grew up, I came to the Ramallah area with my family. I'm studying business here in order to get a feel for the atmosphere and the society. Subsequently," says Omar, "I hope to find a job in the area and bring new ideas for business and organization"
Katie, 19, is starting her second year studying business at the university. She has spent most of her life in San Francisco, and her family has returned to live near Ramallah. "My parents thought it would be better to live here, to learn about our country; it's also safer here," she says when asked about what brought her to Palestine. "I plan to stay at least four years since my father would like to see me graduate here" Katie's family settled in Deir Dibwan, a village which has a high concentration of Palestinian-Americans. A large sign reads: " Welcome to Deir Dibwan" in English, and one immediately notices the large number of new homes, belonging to recent returnees. Abu Moussa who is from the village, confirms: "At least half of the people living here now returned from America in the past two years. All these new houses were built when they arrived". In front of his coffee shop, a telltale sign: a Pontiac TransAm with Illinois license plates.
Beitunia, just west of Ramallah, has also seen a recent influx of returnees, many from America. Mohammed, 25, lives there with his family, arriving from Chicago in the last few years. "My father wanted to retire here and I came back with my family. I needed to learn more about my language and my religion and get to know my relatives" he says. Needing one and a half years to complete his degree in Business Administration, Mohammed has one more reason to stay: "I married a girl from my village a year ago. There was a little pressure to get married, since I was 24 and after all, getting married and raising children in the Muslim religion is the purpose of life. Right now, I have no definite plans to return to America"
Not all "natives" are at Birzeit to complete their degree, however. Some are in a program designed for international students and will stay for one semester. The program (Palestine and Arabic Studies) offers courses in standard and colloquial Arabic(Jerusalem dialect) and social sciences. It was the perfect opportunity for Abed, 20, who lives in Sweden. "We never spoke Arabic at home," he says, "even though we tried to preserve our Palestinian culture. I am learning to read and write at the university, and speak Arabic with my relatives in Jerusalem, where I stay." Even though the courses offered in the program are much more expensive than regular courses at the university, Abed who is self financed says: "I have benefited by learning much about my language and culture." He adds "I am returning to Sweden to complete my military service. After a year, I hope to be accepted in a difficult program at a Swedish university where knowledge of Arabic will be extremely valuable."
Nahed, 21, whose family lives in Germany also studied for one semester in the P.A.S. program. "My family preserved our culture well, but I am studying here in order to be able to speak legitimately as a Palestinian representative. I want to experience the occupation and its consequences." Whilst studying at Birzeit on a grant from her university, Nahed also volunteered at Orient House, in Jerusalem. This experience proved valuable: "I want to be an ambassador of sorts, to let people abroad know about the situation in Palestine." Like other young, "Westernized" Palestinians, Nahed will be returning to her adopted country to finish studying Law and Islamic Studies at the university of Bonn.
Dalia wanted to study in Palestine initially. She explains her situation, "Although I love living here and feel like I belong, I cannot find the program I need at the university. I am studying Business here, but what I really want to study is Journalism" The answer to this dilemma? "Next semester, I'll be studying Journalism at the University of Maryland. I can't wait!" Many, finding themselves in a similar situation , have opted for a course of study in Business by default, rather than by choice. "Most of us study Commerce and Economics because the courses and textbooks are usually in English, and we feel limited by language problems," explains Mohammed. "We come here and don't read or write, some of us don't even speak the language. I've been here over a year and I still don't understand Arabic sometimes" he adds. This does not go unnoticed by others students: "The "natives" are able to communicate better in English; they don't seem to want to learn Arabic", says Jihad who studies engineering and grew up in the West Bank.
Students can apply to the university without knowing how to read and write Arabic. Dr. Carmela Armanios, Birzeit University registrar, says: "It is a faculty requirement that new students take two cultural courses which are taught only in Arabic. If the students do not have the level to understand, they must learn Arabic with the international students" Hence, every semester, around twenty "natives" take courses with students in the international (P.A.S.) program to learn to read and write the language of their parents.
But a language problem is not the only adjustment facing the young "western Palestinians". "At first, coming here, I was shocked" says Hania, 19, who grew up in California and is studying Business at Birzeit "when you grow up in America you leave something behind. It can be easier to live there; I feel like I have more in common with Americans than with Palestinians" Another student, who wanted his name withheld, adds: "I don't really feel Palestinian now. I have more in common with people in my adopted country. It is possible that I'll stay there for the rest of my life."
Ali, 17, who has been in Palestine nearly a year and plans to return to New Jersey soon also says "For the first two months, you love it here; but then... you want to leave" Why? "There are no opportunities in Palestine" he explains. Dalia confirms this, "to go after your dreams, you may have to look for opportunities abroad". Ramzi, 19, seeking a Business degree explains "The current situation is difficult. The Israelis restrict us. We need to get a visa in order to stay and then there are the checkpoints and the problems caused by closures. The Israelis make life difficult for the Palestinians" Nahed adds "the Israelis have a colonialist mentality, one of domination. The Palestinians are still suffering throught the occupation and the violation of their rights" Soraia,21, a student in the P.A.S. program concludes "the Israelis don't allow people to do anything".
Adjusting to the crippling effects of occupation is a hardship all Palestinians must face. The young "natives" have other problems of adaptation, like learning to deal with new societal pressures. Dalia notes: "Reputation, especially for women, is important here. People tend to judge others, although this is present in all societies. It can be a struggle, as hard feelings are directed toward us "western" Palestinians. Hania adds "People could be more open here. They should accept people better". Soraia grew up in Brazil but will soon be returning to the US where she is studying Computer Science. She speaks of similar pressures, "I can be myself in the university and in Ramallah, but when I return to my village, I don't feel like I can. I am different from the local people in some ways. They need to understand that I dress differently, talk to guys, drive my own car. It bothers some that I am 21 and am not married. The villagers are too closed minded about these things".
Are the "local" Palestinians narrow-minded? Ibrahim, 24, was born and raised in Palestine. He responds: "The "western" Palestinians need to adapt to us, we shouldn't have to adapt to them". But for Ali, coming from the West, adjusting is not that simple: "People are very conservative here, and have a hard time accepting new ways. We grew up in the West, where we are taught different perspectives and thinking; it is not always considered an asset here". Ahmad, a student of English literature who grew up in Nablus counters "The "natives" do in fact bring new ideas and perspectives but it is not necessarily beneficial. We have our own language and culture, which define us as Palestinians. Why do we need someone to tell us how to think and act?"
It is not necessarily a question of forcing new ways on the "local" Palestinians. Nahed offers "Bringing in new things like other languages and western methods of discussion is important because many Palestinians cannot go abroad. Because of the problems brought about by occupation, progress within this society has stagnated." Hania adds "we tend to be more independent, to think for ourselves. This is something, especially women, need to learn to do in Palestine"
Due to their western ways and perceived lack of Palestinian identity, at times "native" students can be categorized and indiscriminately addressed in more pejorative ways like 'ajnabi (foreigner), ameerkaani (self explanatory) or kitkat (origin unknown...). "They know this bothers us," says Layalle, 21, who studies Economics and grew up in America. "They treat us like outcasts. In class other students make fun of us, and I remember once the professor joined in. In general this teacher did not treat us fairly".
Other students may even object to the way the "natives" dress. Samer, 20, who was raised in Hebron, describes one who "was dressed like a crazy man. He had big, baggy pants, sunglasses, hair slicked back: this is not suitable".
Western styles may be inappropriate for some but Ramzi, who lived in Canada, notes: "You can see the local Palestinians walking around campus. Many of them want to dress and act like us the westernized Palestinians." He is echoed by Ali: "The locals wait for us to bring in new styles for dress and music."
Differences between locals and "natives" are common on campus. Ahmad (a "non-Westerner") explains "Instead of being serious about their education, many of the "natives" sit around campus talking and listening to music. Boys and girls are often together... this is not acceptable". Nahed disagrees "We show that it is all right to have casual boy/girl friendships".
"Natives" have inherited a certain image from their years spent in America and other western countries. Ramzi notes "maybe because of the impression people have of the West, people don't think it's possible for boys to have casual relations with girls. But things are changing. More and more you see this happening on campus."
A noticeable group on campus, "natives" are also distinct because, as Samer notes "they tend to stay together, they don't really interact with other students. We see them always in the same places, talking and speaking in English amongst themselves. Even the international students are more prone to interact with us."
Last year, the favorite "hang-out" was the cafeteria in the basement of the Commerce building. "They used to call it the American cafeteria," says Ali, "because all the "natives" used to sit there." Over the summer, this area was converted into classroom space where, appropriately enough, classes in beginning Arabic are now conducted.
This year, the center of "native" life seems to have shifted to the popular e-mail center, located in the Engineering building. At any time of the day, five or six "natives" can be seen hovering around the computers, sending messages to friends back "home" or discussing their plans for the weekend. "The "Americans" interact only with each other; they have separated themselves from student body life, like those in the e-mail center", says Samer disapprovingly. Ibrahim thinks this is " because they have their own lives away from campus, spending time together all the time, and they carry that aspect to the university".
Western Palestinians have naturally gravitated toward one another. Ziad Izzat, Director of Student Affairs confirms "They have their own life on campus; many went to schools together in Ramallah and they are a close group. Right now, many don't really seem to want to get involved in the student body...but as they learn more about campus life, they will get more and more involved."
The "natives" are not at the forefront of student activities and elections, but is more a matter of adjustment to campus life than anything else. Mahmoud, born and raised in Palestine, is very active in the student body and was elected to serve in the Student Conference. "It is true that they are not as active as others," he states "but they seem to want to learn about campus activities and elections. In time they will be more and more involved, melting into the study body."
In order to involve them, the other students need to understand them. Tarcin, raised in Jenin, is a former Student Council member. He suggests that the "natives" have their own representative on the Student Council. "There are over one hundred of them on campus now; they have different needs which only they may be able to address." Dalia agrees: "The "western" Palestinians are crying out for someone to listen. It is important for others to know our situation, to understand where we come from".
Ziad Izzat is aware of this problem: "In the near future we will have to address this need. We at the university are open minded and want to deal with everyone". This "need" is one of integration. Salaam Kana'an, a specialist on youth in Palestine, mentions that "the problem of identity is tied to the problem of integration". Which identity do the young "natives" embrace? "I am a Palestinian" Soraia says unequivocally, echoing her peers. Nahed adds "Whether others like it or not, I am part of this society as well."
How should other Palestinians try integrate Nahed and her peers? "We can acknowledge that there are differences between us," says Mahmoud, "but we must realize that we are one society".
But what of the difficulty of living between two cultures? "A lot of who I am developed in America," says Dalia, "but I feel complete now that I have come here". Nahed adds, "now that I define myself as a Palestinian, it does not cause any internal conflict for me to admit that I have German characteristics". Exiled against their wishes, Diaspora Palestinians are proud of their Palestinian identity and heritage. But as westernized Palestinians these students do not regret the opportunities they had growing up in places like Germany, Brazil, Sweden or America. Mohammed expresses this feeling: "I'm happy to have grown up where I did. I can identify with America. It has done a lot for us just as we have contributed much to the States." Omar confirms: "There were times when I might have felt like an outsider in America, but I would not have preferred to grow up in Palestine. I had a good education in the US and I relate to people there, they're more open minded. I want to spend the rest of my days here... but I don't ever want to close the door on America." Ramzi sums it up in these words "I feel like we who have been raised in the West are fortunate: we can take the best from both worlds".
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