BEWARE OF “EDUCATION
TRAFFICKING”
Are You
Taking the “Student Pathway” to Migrate…?
Musings of a Veteran
By
VIKRAM
KARVE
THE “STUDENT
PATHWAY”
In the 1970’s – my classmates used the “student
pathway” to migrate abroad to the US and settle down there permanently to realize their “American
Dream” (those days – USA was the most sought after destination for youngsters
who wanted to migrate away from India for a “better life”).
In fact – before “liberalization” (1991) – owing
to various “socialist” restrictions – the “student pathway” was the only way to
migrate and settle down in a foreign country.
“Liberalization” and “Globalization” created new
options for aspiring migrants – like the “foreign job” option and “onsite work”
option etc – which facilitated migration to a foreign country – but – even now –
most aspiring migrants use the “student pathway” route to migrate and settle
down in the country of their choice.
During my recent visit to New Zealand – I interacted
with many youngsters from India – who were on the “student pathway” to realize
their dream of settling down in New Zealand.
Today – in view of various favorable advantages
and promising prospects – many youngsters want to migrate to New Zealand – and –
they use the “student pathway” – since – New Zealand’s immigration policies
include a post-study work pathway for international students who have completed
a New Zealand qualification – which lets you find a job and get work experience
in a field related to your studies and makes it easier to apply for residence
and finally acquire citizenship.
All the youngsters I met in New Zealand – some
students – and some working after completing their studies – all of them were
desperate to settle down in New Zealand – and – not even a single youngster
wanted to return back to India.
(In fact – New Zealand is such a lovely place
that even visitors feel like staying on there forever – and – most visitors feel sad
when their stay in New Zealand comes to an end and they have to return home)
The youngsters told me that one good plus-point of
studying in New Zealand is that you can “earn while you learn” – since students
are allowed to work part-time for a specified number of hours every week – and since
the hourly “minimum wage” is quite good – students can earn enough to meet
their daily needs.
Once they got accustomed to the “better life”
in New Zealand – they did not want to return to India – and they wanted to
permanently settle down in New Zealand “at any cost”.
I could see this desperate desire for
residency (and finally citizenship) in most of the youngsters I met in New
Zealand.
One of my friends who has settled down in New
Zealand told me that this desperation (to remain in New Zealand) makes
youngsters vulnerable to exploitation – especially after they complete their studies
and are looking for a job in order to get a work visa – and later – when they
want residency – in order to achieve their long term goal is to permanently settle in New
Zealand.
She also told me another shocking fact.
She said that it was “our own people” who
exploited young Indian migrants the most.
By the term “our own people” – she was
referring to erstwhile Indians (who migrated from India to New Zealand many years ago and had got New
Zealand Citizenship) – it was they who were exploiting new Indian Migrants the
most.
I was shocked to hear this – that – in most
cases – new migrants were being exploited by employers in their own ethnic
communities.
I did see many young “Indian” migrants working
in stores, malls, hotels, restaurants, cafes etc. – but – I was impressed by
their “dignity of labour” which is a sign of egalitarian society – it was good to see that students/youngsters were ready to do any type of work to earn some extra
money.
In fact – in the very café where my friend
and I were sitting – it was an “Indian” migrant who was managing the counter
and also serving us.
She told me a few stories – but – I thought they
may be apocryphal.
But then – a few days ago – I read three news
reports which shocked me.
Here are the url links to the news reports (click url to open on a new page):
1. NZ dream turns to nightmare for international students
2. Student Visa: ‘It's
not about education’
3. ‘Sleep with me if you
want your visa’ boss tells student worker
Let me add a disclaimer that what is
described in these news reports may be aberrations – and may not be representative of the broad reality.
In fact – from my experience of the excellent
social life I observed in New Zealand – I feel that these reports may be rare isolated exceptions
– and – New Zealand certainly has a superior quality of life than most places.
Yes – New Zealand is a great place to visit,
to study, to work – and – if you want – to migrate, reside and settle in.
But – if you are thinking of migrating
permanently – you must make yourself aware of various aspects of the realities of life there.
The aim of this article is to generate a bit
of awareness.
I do not intend to dissuade youngsters from
migrating abroad to realize their dreams of a “better life”.
In fact – I would encourage youngsters to
migrate to places where they can achieve their fullest potential and thereby contribute more to the world.
However – aspiring migrants must ensure they
are aware of the pros and cons – especially if they are using the “student
pathway” – so that they don’t fall victim to “education trafficking” and become
vulnerable to exploitation.
EDUCATION
TRAFFICKING
A newly coined term “Education Trafficking” refers
to the phenomenon of enticing aspiring migrants to take the “student pathway” to
get a permanent residency in the country of their choice.
These aspirants pay huge amounts of money to
use the “student pathway” to migration since education is expensive in most
developed countries.
(It is well known that education has become
big business and there are many “stakeholders” who want a share in the pie).
The root cause of the problem of “Education Trafficking”
does not lie in the new “host” country to which students want to migrate.
The root cause of the problem lies in the “donor” country “exporting” students – where various “Agents” and “Consultants” mislead
and exploit gullible youngsters who are desperate to migrate overseas for a “better
life”.
If you want to use the “student pathway” to
migrate for a “better life” – please do so by all means – but ensure that you perform “due diligence” and carry out a “reality check” – so that you do not become vulnerable
to exploitation once you migrate to the land of your dreams.
----------------
Dear Reader: Have you read my previous posts
on my observations during my short stays in New Zealand…?
Here are a few of the URL links:
DO YOU WANT TO MIGRATE TO A FOREIGN COUNTRY FOR A “BETTER LIFE”…?
BOMBAY in New Zealand – Travel Tales
Milford Sound is Awesome
WHY DO PEOPLE MIGRATE...?
New Zealand Foodie Memories
NEW ZEALAND FOOD DIARY OF A PURE VEGETARIAN
Also – I intend writing a few more articles on my visits to New Zealand –
and – I will post them in my blogs in due course for you to read and comment upon.
VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve
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1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
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