When I got my admission for MBA in Greenwich University, I was happy that apart from a degree from England, I would have an opportunity to meet other local and foreign students like me.
The one-year interaction and exposure would help broaden my mind and help me develop a more informed approach towards society and life. I had heard about some race-oriented incidents but I believed they were limited to may be inner cities involving the less educated.
While in Bhopal, for me England was an amiable, friendly nation, that believed in human rights and of course in racial equality. So, I came in September and happily joined my course, where I am quite happy. I have been able to befriend students from other countries and local ones as well.
In short, I started to get into what I might call the groove. But the first shock was hearing the word "these Foreigners", said in a rather derogatory way, not even in the way Cybil says "he is after all a Spaniard" about the waiter in Fawlty Towers. The irony is that these "Foreigners" are the best source of revenue for most universities in this country as they have to pay almost seven to eight times more than the local students.
Once I learnt that I could write in the Hindustan Times UK Edition online, I decided to relate an incident that happened early last month. I believe not only other foreign students should know about it but also those who I am told are trying hard for equality in the society here.
{{/usCountry}}Once I learnt that I could write in the Hindustan Times UK Edition online, I decided to relate an incident that happened early last month. I believe not only other foreign students should know about it but also those who I am told are trying hard for equality in the society here.
{{/usCountry}}At around 1:30 in the morning on December 7, 2002, a few, so called "Foreigners" were attacked by a group of white boys. The reason for their ire was that the so-caaled foreigners were praising a certain football team and it apparently riled the white youngsters.
The "foreigners" were indeed four friends from the University of Greenwich who while at a pub near the Greenwich station had during conversation about football praised a particular team. When they were returning to their Hall of Residence (Devonport House), the four realised they were being followed by a few white boys.
They soon started abusing and throwing bottles and bin caps. The four students ran towards their hall of residence but when at the gate of the hall they were physically attacked. The glass door was broken by one of the troublemaker's. They were apparently angry at a particular club being praised.
A complaint was immediately filed at the nearest police station but ironically no one came to assess the situation. I must however say that the hostel authorities were prompt in meeting the students and tried their best to help. A warden had also called the police.
I later learnt that another similar incident had taken place, about a month earlier in Colchester, involving an international student from the University of Essex who was working part-time for the Dominos pizza. He was stopped late one night when he was returning after making a delivery and for no reason beaten up by 12 drunk whites.
In this case too, I am told, the police did not think it serious enough to take note of. I am now a bit sceptical about the degree and concept of equality here.
But, I hope when I go back I will have a better and more positive view and memory of the society here.
(Alankar Sharma is MBA student at Greenwich University)