Origin meets perception

In 2025, at Green Templeton Student Suppers and via the Student Bulletin, students were asked: Where are you from, and what are the common reactions you get when you share this with others, especially at college events?

This was part of an initiative organised by Mitsuki Mori (Development Database and Operations Officer) and Sunjin Uhm (DPhil Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, 2024) with the support of the college EDI Forum, to start conversations about EDI issues at Green Templeton.

See students' answers on a map

 

Canada: “Omg you guys are so friendly”/ “There are so many Canadians here”

China: (Xiaoshan) Never heard about the place.

Denmark: Interest in culture mainly (e.g. ‘hygge’ in Danish culture), positive reactions

Egypt: Interest in politics/ history

France: Surprised at the lack of accent, “Oh, I drove through your hometown to get to [South of France holiday]”, mix between positive responses based on the country’s cultural PR and more critical engagement from people whose countries were historically subjugated by France.

(Paris suburbs) “Oh I love Paris”, apologies for terrible French and immediately attempts to speak French.

Hong Kong: “So you’re from China.”

Israel: Usually either embarrassment, like people don’t know how to react, or hostility, because they immediately assume I support Israeli policy

Italy: [hand gesture]

Jamaica: “Your accent sounds American”

Malaysia: Durian

South Africa: Usually not great if people have never been to South Africa before. “Isn’t there a lot of crime there?” “But you’re white, how can you be from South Africa?” Sometimes asking about the nature and animals. Or if people have visited before, then it’s usually good. “Cape Town is the best city ever” “South Africa has really friendly people and amazing food”

“Ooh I’ve been there on holiday”/ “I’ve always wanted to go there on holiday”

South Korea: Korean shows on Netflix, “Who’s your favourite K-pop artist?”

UK: (North London) You don’t sound like someone from North London. You look Spanish. Where are you really from?

(Northeast England) “Where are you really from?”