MEBID Mug

Middle East Born International Desis are South Asians that grew up in the Middle East or non-western International locales like the far East. A larger concentration of MEBIDs originates from the Gulf Arab states (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and UAE) than other countries simply because a large number of families moved to those countries during the 70's and 80's for better economic opportunities. Although "born" is part of the label, it is not a requirement to have been born outside of South Asia. One can be born in South Asia and as long as a majority of someone's childhood is spent growing up in the Middle East or other locales (as long as it's not the west or South Asia), one is considered to be a MEBID. Although individual experiences differ greatly, MEBIDs typically went to an international school wherever they were growing up. As a result, this gives MEBIDs an air of international sophistication, aka "being cultured", simply because they were exposed to diversity from the time they were born. Another typical life experience shared by MEBIDs is going to a boarding school as early as the 10th grade because schools close to their parents didn't offer higher grades. Growing up with exposure to different nationalities, living away from parents at a very young age, and sharing much with South Asian FOBs and ABCDs, yet being so different from them, has resulted in a truly unique subset of Desis.