1 in 5
students in
Australian
universities is
an international
student50%
of international
students are
enrolled in
commerce-related
coursesAustralia is the third largest exporter
of higher education globally
Australia is the third largest commercial exporter of higher
education services internationally, coming in rank order after
the United States and the United Kingdom. (2017)LANDSCAPE ISSUE 157 028 — 029ASIA IN AUSTRALIAThe students agreed that like Asian cities, Australian cities
such as Melbourne and Sydney are extremely multicultural.
Jess reminded us that “usually where there are lots of Asians it
is an indicator of success.” When asked about being lumped
into the generic category of “Asian” by Australians, it didn’t
seem to concern them too much. Bryan commented: “It shows
the person’s ignorance, but then I can’t tell a Spanish and an
Italian man apart. We use the word ‘Westerners’ a lot.” Nudcha
highlighted that it depends on context. “At work people say
ni hao to me – but I am Thai. Grates on my nerve but doesn’t
annoy me.”
America still looms large in many Asian imaginations. Jackie
commented: “In my high school there is a class for those
studying abroad. Out of fifty students, forty-eight would go
to America, one to the UK, one to Australia.” Many students
choose Australia because of existing connections such as
relatives or the fact their parents studied here. Momoka
Kawauchi (Japan) studied English at a Hobart high school
for a year and returned for university after such a positive
experience. For others like Jenny, Australia is their dream
destination: “Everyone feels that America might have the best
resources and education ... I feel like I needed to go to the
country that I really wanted to go to.” On the other hand, Runjia
wanted to study in the USA but pragmatic decisions such as the
timing of the semesters led her to Australia.
So in what way might an Asian sensibility (object, feeling or
attitude) positively influence Australia?
“[I’d like to see] Australia’s freedom of speech combined
with Asian efficiency.” – Jess, Hong Kong
Overwhelmingly, the students we interviewed agreed that an
Asian sense of efficiency could positively influence Australia.
Jacqueline and Jess agreed that Hong Kong pragmatism would
be very useful here. Jacqueline stated: “Yes, Hong Kong is very
money driven, but it is about trying to make things work.” Jess
commented of Melbourne: “Every project just takes so long ...
democracy is so slow.” In a related sentiment, Nudcha
suggested that Australians could learn to embrace change.
“Some people in Melbourne are so hesitant about change – but
it ’s good to accept cha nge before it cr ushes you. Don’t ta ke so
long to decide things ... Think big.”
Bryan suggested that “any transport system from Singapore”
could benefit Australia, while Catherine would like the more
affordable house prices and the extraordinary language
capacity of Malaysians. Momoka suggested a more complex
understanding of aesthetics, such as Wabi-sabi, a Japanese
concept centred on the appreciation of the imperfect. And all
the students vigorously agreed that Australia “shuts down” too
early – we are a long way from having 24-hour cities. Nothing
can beat the ability of being able to get things done at any time
of the day/night in an Asian city.
The students also shared their thoughts on Australian
landscape architecture.“Landscape architecture in Australia has a long way
to go.” – Jackie, ChinaThe students suggested that landscape architecture in
Australia is yet to reach its potential. Nudcha commented:
“Melbourne ... Sydney have a few cool things but generally ...
it feels like we haven’t reached a moment in Australia yet – it’s
getting there, but not yet.” Bryan commented on the way that
“Singaporeans have got used to being a green nation,” citing
projects such as the Parkroyal on Pickering as “awesome”
examples of urban and nature intertwining. These projects are
less visible in Australian cities. Jackie described the need to
“bridge between academic research and practice” and also
to develop new organizational models for design studios that
encompass different fields. He is particularly interested in
how “to bring the Chinese landscape to Australia – bridge the
cultures.” Jenny observed that ideas of climate change are
discussed a lot, “but we shouldn’t just be talking about what
we should do.”Many of the students we interviewed are already working in
Australian landscape practices and can see themselves
work ing eit her in A sia or Aust ra lia. T here is no quest ion t hat
they offer fresh perspectives on design within our cities and
the broader region and represent an enormous capacity in
terms of expanded worldviews, life experiences and design
a spirat ions. A s Nudcha stated, “ima g ine what we cou ld
do together.”