From: u907736@postoffice.utas.edu.au (Edmund Chia)
Subject: Re: An Aussie's Reply
Organization: University of Tasmania
Date: Thu, 13 Aug 1992 10:30:29 GMT

In article <9222217.10791@mulga.cs.mu.OZ.AU>, kaic@mullian.ee.mu.oz.au (David Chan) writes:
> 
> u907736@postoffice.utas.edu.au (Edmund Chia) writes:
> >rns@munta.cs.mu.OZ.AU (Robert Noel STURROCK) writes:
> >> What an astounding attitude!  What you are in effect saying is that Australian
> >> degrees are good enough, but not Australian culture.  I can't help asking
> >> myself why somebody would go to another country to study.  The *primary*
> >> motivation for me would be to mix with people of that country, and to learn
> >> something about their culture.  Otherwise, what is the point?
> >> -- 
> >> Rob Sturrock
> >> <rns@cs.mu.OZ.AU>
> >> Computer Science IV, University of Melbourne.
> >
> >I believe Rod has pointed to one of those 'cultural' differences mentioned in
> >the earlier post. MOST overseas students don't know and don't really want to 
> >know anything about the culture of their host country. Australian students 
> >like Rod might feel differently about it but then that's a cultural difference
> >with regards to values and orientations to life. Whether or not that is a 
> >desirable trait in the overseas student in Australia is another matter
> >altogether. IMHO, that attitude should change. Paper qualifications should not
> >be the only thing of value a student gets out of years of study in a foreign
> 
> 	I agree whole-heartedly with you on your point about paper-qualifica-
> tions and knowledge of other cultures.
> 
> 	However, it would be foolish to fail exams and flunk your course
> of study here for the sole sake of knowing another culture, another 
> perspective of life, different values etc. I will argue that to study and
> do well (and graduate and get a degree) is MY PRIMARY concern here, BUT NOT
> AT THE EXPENSE OF knowing a different culture, a different way of life etc.
> I believe, as you and many others do, that an education overseas also
> includes knowlegde of the culture overseas etc.
> 
> 	Still, I would say that Rob's primary motivation would not be 
> applicable to me or a lot of other overseas students. I am not about to let
> all that effort and money that my family poured into my education go to
> waste. Henceforth, studying, doing well, passing exams etc will still be
> my top priority (although getting involved in extra-curricular activities
> and learning about the Australian culture, making Australian friends rate
> almost as high as studying). Let's be realistic about why overseas students
> are here for, too.

> Regards,
> DC

To study and to graduate well should be the main priority of any overseas
student. One does not spend huge amounts of money, travel thousands of
kilometres from home for an education but end up gallivanting about and
socialising instead of studying. IMO, anyone with such an attitude does
not have the maturity or sense to be in University. However, it is
highly unlikely and unhealthy for anyone to be closeted in his/her room
studying every hour of the day, everyday of the week. Some form of 
socialising and involvement in day to day matters is expected and normal. 
The BIG debate of the moment is with whom one socialises and the 
non-academic matters that take up the time, interest and attention of
the average overseas student.
I hate to generalise and have done so several times already. I shall do
so yet again and say that by and large, overseas students tend to cluster
around one another. There is nothing wrong with seeking the company of
those 'familiar' to you. I remember the great pleasure I had when my
cousin visited me and I was able to indulge myself in Singlish and 
speak on matters which my Aussie friends and German(overseas student) friend
would not understand. However, I cannot but feel that seeking the company of
fellow overseas students EXCLUSIVELY is good or desirable or healthy. From
previous posts, quite a large number of the people in this net appear to have
little or no problem interacting with Australian students. However, I am
doubtful if that is reflective of the overseas student population in general.
A large and significant number of overseas students do not and apparently
have no desire to get to know more about their Aussie classmates or about
Australia. I would go so far as to say a large number of overseas students
have no desire to get to know other overseas students from different racial
groups(as this is a sensitive issue - I apologise if I have offended anyone).
One example would be that Chinese from Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, and 
Singapore mix quite well with each other but not so well with Chinese from China, 
Malays from Malaysia or Indonesia or Indians from India or Fiji. In fact, 
overseas students from Germany, Finland, Canada or some other 'Western'
country don't seem to be regarded as overseas students at all.
A lot of the talk about Aussies not doing their bit to know more about
the visitors to their shores remind me of kindergarden logic where we
used to go around saying "If you don't friend me, then I won't friend you."
Ultimately, how receptive an overseas student is of Australian friends, 
friends from other nations, cultures, races, etc would be up to the
individual person to decide. However, I believe that those of us who
have been enriched by the experience of inter-cultural exchanges could
and should urge new students to make what we believe to be the right
decisions.

Edmund
Newsgroups: aus.students.overseas