Beyond stereotypes: an autoethnographic journey of an Emirati woman through educational stigma

As the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has undergone rapid socio-economic development post-oil boom, it has cultivated a globalized educational landscape where Emirati culture intersects with international influences. Despite the privileges often associated with Emirati nationals, this autoethnography delineates how nationality and gender can equally function as sources of alienation and stigmatization. This autoethnography explores the experience of a female Emirati student in international schools within the UAE, focusing on the stigmatization and stereotyping that is encountered. By detailing vignettes, the study provides an insider perspective on the cultural dissonance and bias faced by Emirati women in expatriate-dominated educational settings. This study contributes to the broader discourse on the inequality in educational experiences and the importance of integrating cultural awareness into educational institutions in the UAE.