I felt the need to comment on this ridiculous article by Keith Moor on the Herald Sun: Degrees at RMIT ‘dumbed down’ for foreign students. I find the article particularly offensive because I am an international student from Singapore, studying in Melbourne. I am reasonably intelligent (at least I like to think so), and I speak fluent English: two things that the article seems to suggest is not synonymous with the “international student”.
The article is poorly written; it’s as simple as that. It makes sweeping generalisations and seems to be pinpointing Middle Eastern students, though covering it up thinly by throwing on the “international student” tag. Mr Moor seems to forget the there are almost two hundred other countries in the world, and yes, surprise surprise, some of them are English speaking and do have reasonably intelligent residents. I guess I’m personally tired of people assuming that Singapore is a little village in China which serves dog sashimi for breakfast. And no, it doesn’t mean that I don’t speak or understand English because I have a different accent than you. Grow up and smell the dung. Yeah, I’m looking at you dipshit girl from my Media & Meaning class a few semester ago who questioned my English because I had a (quote unquote) “weird accent”. And you, girl from PP1 who didn’t think I had the ability write you a decent enough descriptor for your project. There I go again, off on a tangent on my own little rant. I apologise.
Getting back on track: I am proud to say that I have not received any form of preferential treatment in the two years I’ve spent in my Media course. Sure, for $10,000 a semester, I would probably have appreciated a ‘free’ HD here and there (hint hint, Adrian), but nope. Not once. I guess, according to Mr Moor, I shouldn’t classify myself an “international student” then, hey? Since I haven’t ticked all the boxes? First, I speak English even though I wasn’t born and bred in Australia. Then, I graduate with a Media degree and land myself in honours without needing anyone to “dumb down” anything for me. Who knew it could be possible?! Someone stop the presses, that’s a news scoop right there.
My point is, Mr Moor, is that your article stinks. Sure, I get it. You want to report ground-breaking news about how some students are given preferential treatment, and some students have resorted to cheating. But please, stay away from making uneducated claims and save yourself from looking silly. Don’t they teach you to cover your ass by not bringing up damning stereotypes in journalism school? I am also surprised the editors at the Herald Sun saw no need for a rewrite. $17 billion a year not worth it, eh? Nah.
