Author gives unique perspective on ‘Home, Identity, Belonging in the UAE’

The UAE presents a rare opportunity to rewrite our stories, free from others’ labels, and embrace a future defined by our own terms. Bosnian-born author Nadina Ronc stated this while talking to Gulf Today. Her memoir “Daughters of Dissidents Need Not Apply” was recently published by The Dreamwork Collective in the UAE.

While reflecting on home and belonging she said, “As a refugee, I struggled with questions of identity, feeling torn between my Bosnian heritage and a British society that never fully embraced me. For many, searching for a home may never reach a definitive conclusion. But in this ongoing quest, we understand that belonging is not a destination but a journey. It’s found in the quiet moments of connection: a shared conversation with a colleague, the comfort of a familiar accent, or the joy of seeing a neighbourhood that feels like ‘home’.”

The UAE’s population totals 9.36 million, with 8.84 million immigrants. Dubai is home to 3.6 million people, 75% of whom are foreign-born. All this raises complex questions about identity, belonging, and the elusive concept of home in a transient world.

For many immigrants in the UAE, home is fluid and evolving—a blend of memories, relationships, and places that feel alive. Many seek distance from governments, cultures, or identities that no longer fit. The country offers the chance to reinvent oneself and find new belonging. For those of us carrying the weight of war or persecution, the anonymity allows us to shed past identities and forge new stories, free from old labels.”

On Immigration and Identity

“Immigration is rarely as simple as seeking a better life. For those fleeing war, political persecution, or instability, the process carries immense emotional weight—leaving behind family, language, and the comforting familiarity of home.

In the UAE, however, immigration often represents a conscious choice—a decision to trade one kind of uncertainty for another, seeking the potential for opportunity and success. Yet even voluntary migration involves trade-offs. While the UAE offers freedom, it also demands flexibility. You must navigate a society that balances cosmopolitan influences with conservative traditions. The mix of cultures creates a dynamic social environment where individuals rise through skills and aspirations, transcending cultural and geographical divides. By maintaining their traditional identities and social circles, Emiratis coexist with a highly diverse population of over 200 nationalities. This pluralistic society fosters a sense of belonging within smaller communities based on shared interests, professions, or cultures while contributing to the country’s collective progress.” Nadina fled Bosnia as a child in 1992 and found refuge in the UK.

“Writing my memoir was more than an exercise in storytelling; it was an effort to reclaim autonomy over my narrative. Dubai offered a unique platform to explore these themes further, and that is why I decided to publish my book here. When I began working with my editor at The Dreamwork Collective, she didn’t just help me write; she guided me to open a portal to my past, to revisit the child I once was through the eyes of the adult I’ve become. I began to see the countless obstacles I had to overcome to get to where I am today. That process of truly diving into my past, of peeling back those layers of fear and memory, allowed me to take the reader on a raw and bumpy journey with me.”

The ‘Daughters of Dissidents Need Not Apply’ published by The Dreamwork Collective is available on their website and on Amazon.