Just a quick entry after a two-month's break (to show that I'm still alive :p). Sooooo busy and have been to many countries:
- UK
- Singapore
- Australia (yes, again :( )
Will show you some impressive pictures later!
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Education in Australia
Aussies are actually wise. If they know they can get benefit from you, they will treat you well. That's why their tourism is among the best of the world.
Same situation to education. Their universities organise recruitment talks all over the world, including in many developing countries (e.g. India and China. That's why the campus is full of students from different Asian backgrounds). The staff are cheerful and welcoming. Courses are plenty. The brochures are well-presented and attractive. The school fees seem to be much cheaper than that in the States or the UK.
What they are doing is selling their education as a product. They know that students from the developing world want to get a PR in Oz. They know their advantage as a native English-speaking country...so thousands of students (actually their parents) are willing to spend every penny in their purse for education down under.
But after they come, they will know the reality. Lazy lecturers with little academic involvements, uncompetitive students asking irrelevant question on the class, stand-offish campus officers, weird (at least to foreigners) Aussie humour and accent...even racist violence on campus sometimes. Can't deny that they have good hardware such as big libraries, sufficient budget for research programmes, but the software, i.e. the human intelligence, is not alright.
I wasn't there for a PR (A Dutch passport is convenient enough for me to travel around the world...and I love my country!). I just wanted education with quality. However, it's more than disappointing to me. If they recruit international students, courses should involve more global thinking too. But unfortunately most are quite localised. I know international students need to integrate with Australian culture...but on the other way round, can Australians adapt foreign cultures too? I think the American and British people do much better in this aspect. Personally I have been to both London and Sydney for studies. Studies in London is impressive, because professors lead you to think logically. Many international workshops and seminars organised. Finally I find a reason why Oxbridge and Harvard are always the best unis in the world, but Aussie ones, even with great attempts, can barely enter top 20.
I'm not trying to discourage people to go down under for education. Perhaps if you're outgoing and good at sports, Oz is the place for you - very spacious and good pools/gymnasiums. But for academics, I'll go on the negative side - can't beat the UK and the States. Think and explore more before you come!
Same situation to education. Their universities organise recruitment talks all over the world, including in many developing countries (e.g. India and China. That's why the campus is full of students from different Asian backgrounds). The staff are cheerful and welcoming. Courses are plenty. The brochures are well-presented and attractive. The school fees seem to be much cheaper than that in the States or the UK.
What they are doing is selling their education as a product. They know that students from the developing world want to get a PR in Oz. They know their advantage as a native English-speaking country...so thousands of students (actually their parents) are willing to spend every penny in their purse for education down under.
But after they come, they will know the reality. Lazy lecturers with little academic involvements, uncompetitive students asking irrelevant question on the class, stand-offish campus officers, weird (at least to foreigners) Aussie humour and accent...even racist violence on campus sometimes. Can't deny that they have good hardware such as big libraries, sufficient budget for research programmes, but the software, i.e. the human intelligence, is not alright.
I wasn't there for a PR (A Dutch passport is convenient enough for me to travel around the world...and I love my country!). I just wanted education with quality. However, it's more than disappointing to me. If they recruit international students, courses should involve more global thinking too. But unfortunately most are quite localised. I know international students need to integrate with Australian culture...but on the other way round, can Australians adapt foreign cultures too? I think the American and British people do much better in this aspect. Personally I have been to both London and Sydney for studies. Studies in London is impressive, because professors lead you to think logically. Many international workshops and seminars organised. Finally I find a reason why Oxbridge and Harvard are always the best unis in the world, but Aussie ones, even with great attempts, can barely enter top 20.
I'm not trying to discourage people to go down under for education. Perhaps if you're outgoing and good at sports, Oz is the place for you - very spacious and good pools/gymnasiums. But for academics, I'll go on the negative side - can't beat the UK and the States. Think and explore more before you come!
Great Ocean Road, Melbourne
Twelve apostles, please tell me when can I see the sun!
"London Bridge is falling down"
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Globalisation
In a globalised world...
"Mummy, do you want a Mediterranean or Americana?" - Pizza Hut in Cairo, Egypt
"Any hot drinks available along with the sandwiches?" - Subway in Reykjavik, Iceland
"I'd like to have a fush burger with chups!" - McDonald's in Dunedin, New Zealand
"McDonald's" is undoubtedly a synonym of "globalisation" - McDonald's in Uruguay, Korea and Iran.
But the award goes to Starbucks!!! The Starbucks mermaid has become the queen (at least in China) - The Forbidden City (Palace), Beijing, China
Images from Google searches.
"Mummy, do you want a Mediterranean or Americana?" - Pizza Hut in Cairo, Egypt
"Any hot drinks available along with the sandwiches?" - Subway in Reykjavik, Iceland
"I'd like to have a fush burger with chups!" - McDonald's in Dunedin, New Zealand
"McDonald's" is undoubtedly a synonym of "globalisation" - McDonald's in Uruguay, Korea and Iran.
But the award goes to Starbucks!!! The Starbucks mermaid has become the queen (at least in China) - The Forbidden City (Palace), Beijing, China
Images from Google searches.
First Entry
Hi to all!!!
First let me briefly introduce myself: I'm a 24 year-old girl (lady?) in Rotterdam. I think I'm a perfectionist and an adventurer. I've just completed a masters degree at the University of Sydney and am now back to Holland working in the aviation (eh?) industry. Due to my work, I always have chances to go to different parts of the world.
My first entry is to jot down the most unforgettable things I experienced last year:
1. Melbourne- To my surprise, Sydney is not that fascinating. Enjoyed my time in Melbourne more. It's more cultural and people are more friendly.
2. London! London! The only world city in the world. Wish to be back soon.
3. Swiss people - Disappointingly, they are quite unfriendly when they are not in Switzerland. erm...I try not to generalise a group of people, but all those Swiss I met should have taken manner classes. Hey swiss people, I know your country is rich and beautiful, don't brag about it all the time please!!!
4. A racist called Emma Bur...(oh I think I shouldn't mention the full name) , who studies planning at a "famous" university in Sydney. Her best-remembered words to my best Asian friend- "f*** off and go home" is undoubtedly a racist slur . Stone the bloody crows! Really hope that god will reprimand this kinda people. Bitches are really everywhere in the world.
5. Friends - All those I met this year. Learnt a lot from them, either good or bad things. Thanks for their support and their e-cards ^_^
6. Parents - whose precious love and care have never left me alone in times of hardships and triumphs.
7. Coffee - Cappuccino, Latte, Expresso and Flat White! (I could only find Flat White in Oz...)
8. Last but not least, money - $$$ is the greatest matter in this materalistic world.
First let me briefly introduce myself: I'm a 24 year-old girl (lady?) in Rotterdam. I think I'm a perfectionist and an adventurer. I've just completed a masters degree at the University of Sydney and am now back to Holland working in the aviation (eh?) industry. Due to my work, I always have chances to go to different parts of the world.
My first entry is to jot down the most unforgettable things I experienced last year:
1. Melbourne- To my surprise, Sydney is not that fascinating. Enjoyed my time in Melbourne more. It's more cultural and people are more friendly.
2. London! London! The only world city in the world. Wish to be back soon.
3. Swiss people - Disappointingly, they are quite unfriendly when they are not in Switzerland. erm...I try not to generalise a group of people, but all those Swiss I met should have taken manner classes. Hey swiss people, I know your country is rich and beautiful, don't brag about it all the time please!!!
4. A racist called Emma Bur...(oh I think I shouldn't mention the full name) , who studies planning at a "famous" university in Sydney. Her best-remembered words to my best Asian friend- "f*** off and go home" is undoubtedly a racist slur . Stone the bloody crows! Really hope that god will reprimand this kinda people. Bitches are really everywhere in the world.
5. Friends - All those I met this year. Learnt a lot from them, either good or bad things. Thanks for their support and their e-cards ^_^
6. Parents - whose precious love and care have never left me alone in times of hardships and triumphs.
7. Coffee - Cappuccino, Latte, Expresso and Flat White! (I could only find Flat White in Oz...)
8. Last but not least, money - $$$ is the greatest matter in this materalistic world.
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