International Students Struggle

International education is one of Australia’s largest exporting sector (Marginson, S 2012, p. 1).  According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) (2011), international education contributed $16.3 billion in export income in 2010-11.  It is therefore seemingly obvious that this sector is important for stimulating the economy, but also diversifying society. The experience of education for international students must be improved for continual growth to occur.

Based on “310 interviews with international students” (Marginson, S 2012, p. 2) research found that Australian culture is not accepting of the international student’s cultures.  They’re cultural identity led them to be seen as different or out of the cultural norm.  This made it difficult for them to be involved or included and added to the emotional stresses already placed upon them by their family or home country thus affecting their academic results. (Marginson, S 2012, pp. 1-6)

To adapt to the fear of not belonging, international students often undertake basic English lessons before arriving to study.  However, the lessons learnt do not prepare them for the colloquialism spoken in the host countries, especially here in Australia.  International students are often faced with a cultural shock leaving them unprepared and unable to interact with locals.  (Kell, P & Vogl, G 2007, pp. 3-6)

As important as international education is, it “is not the rich intercultural experience it could be” (Marginson, S 2012 p. 1). The cultural barrier between international students and host cultures has impacted on the number of international students coming to study in Australia.

There has been a sharp decline (23%) of student visa applications in 2010-11 from the peak of 2008-09.  This decline is a direct result of issues such as the above mentioned cultural barriers, visa regulations, (however some changes between 2012 and 2014 have been made to make it easier for students to study in Australia), competition from other countries for international education such as the USA, the high Australian dollar, compromising living situations and more importantly violent racial attacks on international students. (ABS 2011)

Attacks on overseas students have tarnished Australia’s reputation of being a safe destination for study.

The robbery of Chinese students on a Sydney train in April 2012 sparked outrage in China making headlines on popular news sites. “Many Chinese students studying in Australia have expressed their fear over growing violence directed against them”. (Cai, P 2012)

In Brisbane four international students were subject to brutal killings within 4 months.  French student Sophie Collombet was raped, robbed and murdered in March 2014, South Korean student Eunji Ban was bashed to death in November 2013, Min Tae Kim another South Korean student was killed after organising to exchange currencies and Meenatchi Narayaran a Singaporean student was found stabbed to death in March 2014. (ABC News 2 April 2014)

In December 2013 a gang attack on Indian student Manrajwinder Singh made news in India resulting in the Indian government releasing a travel warning to students.  This decreased the amount of students studying in Victoria by 70%.  (Whinnett, E 2014)

These are just a few cases involving international students. If the issue is not resolved in the Australian community, eventually, the number of international students will be minimal.  This would damage the economic sector and affect Australia’s reputation as a whole.

Lukas Stergiou

Reference:

ABC News 2014, Sophie Collombet death: Four international students killed in Brisbane since November’, 2 April, viewed 29 August 2015,
< http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-02/students-killed-in-brisbane-since-november/5361056

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2011, International Students, cat. no. 4102.0, ABS, Canberra

Cai, P 2012, ‘This city is so dangerous: outrage in China over Sydney train assault’, Sydney Morning Herald, 24 April, viewed 29 August 2015,
< http://www.smh.com.au/national/this-city-is-so-dangerous-outrage-in-china-over-sydney-train-assault-20120424-1xiv4.html

Kell, P & Vogl, G 2007, ‘International Students: Negotiating life and study in Australia through Australian Englishes’, Everyday Multiculturalism Confernece Proceedings, pp. 1-10

Marginson, S 2012, ‘International education as self-formation: Morphing a profit-making business into an intercultural experience’, Lecture delivered at the University of Wollongong, 21 February 2012, available online at <http://focusonteaching.uow.edu.au/content/groups/public/@web/@cedir/documents/doc/uow119828.pdf

Whinnett, E 2014, ‘Indian student Manrajinder Singh emerges from coma at Melbourne’s The Alfred hospital’, Herald Sun, 7 January, viewed 30 August 2015,

< http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/indian-student-manrajwinder-singh-emerges-from-coma-at-melbournes-the-alfred-hospital/story-fni0fee2-1226796865417

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Cause for Concern

Climate change has become a global crisis and has gained mass media attention internationally.  Although “all countries will be affected by climate change” it is “the poorest countries who will suffer earliest and most” (Osborne, H 2006, p. 1). Ironically, it is these countries, especially the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) who are affected the most by climate change that receive the least media coverage.

The voices of people living in SIDS are not heard in global debates surrounding climate change as journalists in those areas are often uneducated and unable to clearly express the implications of climate change (Kakonge 2011, p. 1) and it is therefore only reported by foreign journalists on the basis of scientific evidence. (Dreher, T & Voyer, M 2014, pp. 1-2)

Journalists follow a code of ethics when reporting and it states that journalists should be ‘honest, fair and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information’ (Ward, B 2009, p. 1) so it is important for journalists reporting issues like climate change, to use scientific evidence particularly found in readings such as the Stern Review to ensure accuracy and reliability. This at times may be difficult as media is heavily influenced by large corporations that have the power to concentrate what we view (Matthews, S 2011). It is therefore difficult for journalists to portray an accurate story resulting in conflicting information hindering people’s ability to accept climate change as a global issue.

The Stern Review is a document released to the British Government on 30 October 2006 written by economist Nicholas Stern outlining how current trends and practices of human activity have resulted in climate change. It highlights the importance of immediate action against climate change as “the scientific evidence is now overwhelming” and that “climate change presents very serious global risks, and it demands an urgent response” (Stern Review 2006, p. 1)

Furthermore, it indicates that if current trends continue global warming will increase by around 3-4 degrees.  This does not seem like a massive change but it will raise sea levels and flood coastal areas of predominantly small island nation states resulting in the displacement of many millions of people around the world (Stern Review 2006, p. 6). This alarming statistic is the type of information that needs to be reported.

In fact, media coverage surrounding climate change spiked most notably with the release of the Stern Review in comparison to such events like hurricane Katrina in 2005 or the 2003 heat wave in Europe. (Boykoff, M & Roberts, J 2007, Figure 1 – p. 36) This may be due to the fact that these events were considered natural disasters therefore deemed uncontrollable and unimportant for global discussion, whereas the Stern Review indicated human induced stresses causing climate change, sparking concern for debate.

It is the responsibility of governments, societies and more importantly media outlets to report accurately about climate change, engaging in conversation and reporting stories about those who are impacted the most.

Lukas Stergiou

References:

Boykoff, M & Roberts, J 2007, Media coverage of climate change: current trends, strengths, weaknesses, Human Development Report 2007/2008

Dreher, T & Voyer, M 2014, ‘Climate Refugees or Migrants? Contesting Media Frames on Climate Justice in the Pacific’, Environmental Communication, pp. 1-19

Kakonge, J 2011, ‘The Role of Media in Climate Change Debate in Developing Countries’, Global Policy Journal, pp. 1-3.

Matthews, S 2011, ‘Government, Big Business & Media’, Egoic Living, Scott Matthews, viewed 4 September 2015,
< http://www.egoicliving.com/perception/government-big-business-media/

Osborne, H 2006, ‘Stern report: the key points’, The Guardian, 30 October, viewed 1 September 2015,<http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2006/oct/30/economy.uk

Stern, N 2006, ‘Stern Review: The economics of climate change’, vol. 30, pp. 1-6

Ward, B 2009, ‘Journalism ethics and climate change reporting in a period of intense media uncertainty’ Ethics in Science and Environmental Politics Vol 9, pp. 13 –15.

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The Power of Globalisation

Globalisation “is characterised by a worldwide increase in interdependence, interactivity, interconnectedness and the virtually instantaneous exchange of information” (O’Shaughnessy and Stadler, 458). Advancements in communication and transport technology have led to the emergence of a global culture by breaking down international borders and reducing distance.  This reflects how interconnected and globalised the world has become.

Advances in communication technology have made the world a smaller place and has played a major role in the expansion of globalisation.   It’s not that long ago that communication from the US to Europe took up to 10 days via ship. The transatlantic telegraph cable which came online on August 16, 1858, cut the time down to just minutes.  This was an incredible leap towards a more globalised word bringing countries and national identities closer together. In recent years, information technology has made significant advances due to the internet. Advances in smaller more efficient technology from mobile phones to GPS has revolutionised communication. We can now communicate with every corner of the globe, whether it is by dialling a number or sending an email. Distance is no longer a factor.

Technological development in transportation in road, rail, sea and air travel has also reduced distances and has played a major role in our ability to trade and travel. It is an essential element in the world’s interconnectedness.  Trading has been revolutionised since the time of the Silk Road, thanks to the key invention of the shipping container.  Trade since 1965 has dramatically increased and is now more international and convenient with increasing amounts of ports around the world exporting and importing products. This allows for consumers to buy products from anywhere in the world and have it shipped right to their doorstep. This is the epitome of a globalised world.

Advancements in communication and transportation has resulted in the emergence of a global culture. We can begin to see a cultural homogenisation through things like film, food, ideas and religions. Cultural differences are reduced and cultural imperialism is set. We begin to see the domination of the Western culture.  This is evident in companies like McDonalds which enters a country and unifies consumers with a standardised menu as does Starbucks with coffee and Coca Cola with beverages. And it’s not just the food and beverage industry being dominated. We can also see examples through film, especially Danny Boyle’s 2008 film ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ which portrays India’s ideals with a Westernised take.

Our continuing advancements have globalised this world, bringing people of all cultures into a closer community.  Globalisation is dynamic and will continue to influence our everyday lives.

Lukas Stergiou

Reference:

O’Shaughnessy, M and Stadler, J (2008) ‘Globalisation’, Media and Society (fifth edition) Oxford: Oxford University Press, p 458

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