Day 47

University students behaving as children. Quite funny. Wynter, my office buddy, was giving a lecture today and students were still playing with mobile phones, so they got confiscated. Not only that, but other students were busy writing up their homework for another class, so Wynter confiscated that. Their deadline was today, but they get their work back tomorrow, with minus 20% marks. Then whilst walking to lunch, these students follow us and berate Wynter for not giving clear instruction at the outset of the class that they couldn’t do their homework during class time. It is a funny culture where students can buy all sorts of doctor’s notes to get out of trouble. Only thing is that they wont be able to graduate under those circumstances. The university needs a stricter policy, because the students are pushing for so much leniency.

The other thing NU should have done was make English compulsory for all staff as well as students. Had lunch today in Eclaire only to listen to a sulking Kazakhstani who refused to speak English and honour Wynter’s polite request, which was mostly given in Russian, which he did understand. His rudeness drove me to anger as he stalked off banging his tray against a wall. Apparently he’s been doing this to Wynter and a few others for some time, which makes this situation worse. Perhaps I should stay out of politics; I would probably cause more problems than solving them, but I believe a smack round his head with his tray is in order. Ah, Australian politics here I come. But I must remember that concept of Grace. Oh yes, and practise it!

Ray