2005 2010 2015 2017SydneySINGAPOREAUSTRALIAMALAYSIATHAILANDKedahPenangBangkokHONG KONGBeijingTianjinWuyishanHangzhouJiaxingCHINAJAPAN
KyotoChicagoSeattleUSASWITZERLAND
MontreuxMelbourneGeelong
HobartLANDSCAPE ISSUE 157 026 — 027ASIA IN AUSTRALIAI am still struggling in second semester. Half of my friends
are from China. I couldn’t find my identity. I try to get other
experiences. I joined the choir. I try and meet [people from]
more diverse backgrounds.” Jenny emphasized that cultural
exchange does occur between domestic and international
students. She stated: “As international students we really want
to know the culture here and how we can know each other
better. A lot of local students want to know what is happening
in China – they want to know the cool things, the cities they
can visit.”
So what exactly do these students appreciate about an
Australian education system?
“The Australian education system is really open – it is
really about yourself.” – Jenny, China
The students we interviewed were in agreement about the
differences between education in Asia and Australia. All of
their countries demand an extremely high work ethic,
beginning in their earliest schooling. Extensive classes are
required after a school day, which can start as early as 7 am,
followed by hours of homework. Jackie commented: “High
school in China is ha rd work ... it is a habit to work ha rd.” But it
is the extreme competitiveness that students find most
difficult. Bryan commented: “It’s a cultural thing. In an Asian
culture you had to beat everyone else – there was nothing about
what you wanted, what is the best pathway for you. No – you
have to compare with the benchmark.” Some students, such as
Jess Li (Hong Kong) a nd Runjia Chen (China), lef t home at t he
age of sixteen for their high school education in Australia. Jess
stated: “ T he educat ion system in Hong Kong is much ha rsher
than here. My parents think if they invest for us to study
overseas we would have a better future than if we are stuck in
Hong Kong, because there are way too many smart people in
Hong Kong.” Others commented on the lack of discussion in
Asian education, with Catherine Ooi (Malaysia) observing,
“If [the] teacher says they are right, they are right.”