The murder of Pune’s Anuj Bidve in the UK last December brought back memories of a spate of hate crimes and racial abuse faced by Indian students in Australia. This raises the basic question of how safe it is to pursue higher studies in foreign countries and how cautious parents and students need to be before applying for student visa. Speak Up finds out
Aussie authorities are taking steps to ensure safety of foreign students
Whatever you hear about hate crimes and racial abuse is actually hyped by media whereas the ground reality is very different. We are currently carrying out road shows across 8 cities in India to encourage students to study in Australia. In fact, parents have hardly asked us about hate crimes committed against Indian students based overseas.
The dynamics have changed and students are using various social networking sites to connect with those who are already based abroad to get the real picture. The unfortunate incidents against Indian students took place because they landed in a wrong place at the wrong time. These are cases of circumstantial and opportunistic crimes.
The Australian High Commission is keeping a tab on which universities students have applied for and what courses they are doing, among others. They are also keeping a check on whether some students are trying to get a back-door entry into the country. The Australian authorities are taking necessary measures to ensure safety of foreign students.
Jamal Qureshi, regional marketing manager, South Asia,
Perth Education City
Media shouldn’t put fear in the minds of people regarding hate crimes
Having spent five years in the UK as a student, I have never faced any racial discrimination or come across any incident of hate crime. If you end up in a wrong place at the wrong time anywhere in the world, then you are bound to into trouble.
Parents should ensure that they send their children to safe countries and give them tips on what precautions they should take to ensure their well-being and safety. Media must also play a positive role rather than putting fear in the minds of people regarding such incidents.
These isolated incidents should not restrict parents to send their children for higher studies abroad. It is an opportunity to get world-class education and a global exposure. It is every individual’s responsibility to be careful of his/her surroundings, the people they associate with and the activities they get involved in while living in a foreign country. Police and security assistance is always a phone call away in these countries, so it is vital to know all the security-related information.
Shivang Dhruva, director, Options Unlimited, overseas education consultants
Hate crimes may have happened, but those are isolated incidents
Going abroad to study is not a problem and the UK is especially very safe for students. Hate crimes may have happened, but those are isolated incidents that can happen anywhere in the world. As part of our exchange programme, we have sent many students to pursue different courses in London and so far, we have not come across any complaints. Given the Indian diaspora living in the UK, I don’t think there is a need to worry about safety.
Students in the UK are managing their lives very well, which helps them to gain confidence. The quality education stimulates thinking and broadens your horizon. There are certain areas in every big city where people have to be careful while venturing, especially in the nights. Also, due to recession in Europe and the US, the youths over there feel that foreign students are coming to their country to snatch the job opportunities, which is not true.
Prashant Dua, joint MD, TASMAC
Respect culture of the country where you are residing
Not all attacks on the students studying abroad are actually racist. Media has to be held responsible for creating hype and sensationalising hate crime news. It should report such incidents unbiasedly and focus on how students abroad are contributing positively towards our economy. When one goes abroad, it goes without saying that you have to live according to what is acceptable by the citizens of that country. You have to respect their culture.
Following their rules and regulations does not mean that your freedom of living has been snatched away. I feel that it is safe to study abroad as long as you don’t insult and hurt the sentiments of people. Just focus on your goal and stop worrying about adversities.
Madhur Advani, student
Bidve incident was an isolated one; it does not mean that UK is unsafe
My son is planning to go to the US for higher studies and has applied to various universities. As a parent, it will be a big concern for me if he goes to Australia. After hearing on news channels for so long about hate crimes against Indian students in Australia, I would not allow my son to go there. I find America any day safer, even more than Europe. In Europe, I would prefer Germany for safety reasons.
What happened to Anuj Bidve was an isolated incident; it does not mean that the UK is unsafe for Indian students. In fact, there are many Indians settled in the US and UK, so you don’t feel out of place in those countries.
When studying abroad, students must realise that they are in a country which they are not familiar with. They must not take any risks and venture out in unknown territories. It is possible that those who have faced such crimes might have been in a wrong place at the wrong time.
Suneeta Phadkule, Parent
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