Tag: International

‘Beauty is Pain’…literally
September 7, 2018 9:29 pm Comments Off on ‘Beauty is Pain’…literally
Fashionista vocabulary has expanded over the past decade, with ‘ethical’ and ‘sustainable’ becoming extremely à la mode. These two approaches are the industry’s way of combatting the destruction caused to communities and individuals by something known as ‘fast fashion’. For the youth, gaining knowledge about this topic is incredibly important as we are future leaders with the ability to evoke change. Living on student budgets, we are naturally eager for the best bargains possible on clothing, food and other essentials without giving much thought to where and how these products are produced to make them so cheap and easily accessible. Education around the topic is the first step towards change, because the more we know, the less is hidden behind commercial jargon, and an informed consumer is likely to be a more ethical one. Information gives us the power to make thoughtful decisions for ourselves based upon facts and morality.
Ethical brands, charities and ambassadors prioritize helping individuals and communities to benefit from fashion, the largest commercial enterprise in the world, second only to oil. The urgency for a new, ethical, approach to fashion stems from the devastating direct and indirect impacts of fast-fashion upon factory workers and their communities. Poverty stricken countries are targets for major retailers to use as sites for clothing production due to loopholes in employability laws which allow for illegal work practices and exploitative labour, otherwise known as modern day slavery.
The 2013 Rana Plaza disaster was one of the most horrifying incidents of inhuman workplace conditions. The collapse of an 8-storey clothing warehouse in Dhaka, Bangladesh, resulted in over 1,000 deaths and over 2,000 casualties. Due to relaxed contract laws, no major retailer has been held responsible for the incident as the companies do not directly employ their laborers. The deaths of 1,000 workers was a result of poor construction, for which fast fashion should arguably be held accountable. With growing demand for cheaper, more easily accessible clothing, retailers are constantly in competition and are being forced to cut corners to save money in order to afford to produce the cheap, constantly evolving clothing that our culture craves. These cutbacks include slashing wages to as low as $2USD a day and constructing factories without safety regulations.
There is an inextricable link between the fashion industry’s slave labour and the economic structure of western capitalism, unfortunately dictating the extent to which the industry can change. Commercialism is, arguably, the foundation upon which our societies exist. Therefore, to completely transform this practice would not only be impossible but would harm western economies and those of countries such as Bangladesh where a huge 80% of their global exportation is commercial. Therefore, small yet immediate changes are needed. It is certainly possible to better the situation, with some very simple and cheap approaches everyone can take part in.
Firstly, we can start by asking two questions when treating ourselves to some retail therapy: ‘Where did this come from?’ and ‘Who made this?’ By imagining a particular person in their working environment, we are encouraged to think with greater consideration about our individual impact. Engaging on a practical level can involve boycotting or minimizing expenditure in ‘naughty’ high street retailers, a term coined by Oxfam in their list of naughty and nice ethical fashion brands in 2016. ‘Nice’ brands include GAP, Big W, Uniqlo and Bonds. Sadly, some of our beloved brands appear on the naughty list; Topshop, Zara and Peter Alexander. To prevent boycotting, pressure needs to be placed on the major retailers themselves to provide the consumer with clothing which has not been made by slave labour. Here is where social media and the internet become the best tools. Signatures and names hold significant power in their numbers. Taking minimal time and effort to sign a petition, write an email to a retailer or hashtag an Instagram of a clothing label with #WhoMadeMyClothes? can really make a difference. There are websites available that host extensive information on fast fashion and tips for living and shopping ethically and numerous documentaries available online about ethical and sustainable fashion. There are also avenues online to sign petitions including some that advocates for big fashion retailers such as H&M to keep their promise of fair working conditions. So, get onboard and be part of the fashion revolution! Small changes really do count.

Eloise Rattle
India and the curse of WhatsApp
9:15 pm Comments Off on India and the curse of WhatsApp
WhatsApp is one of the most used messaging services globally with 1.5 billion active monthly users and 200 million in India alone. As smartphone usage and accessibility increases across the rural and middle class in India, the digital age holds a new beginning for the country.
In the localized context, WhatsApp is so much more than a platform for messaging. It has carved a position for itself as a key component in the daily lives of many. “Good morning” messages have become the routine for Indians as they start their day with photos of the sun, cups of tea, babies and flowers with inspirational quotes and messages written across them. An article published by the Wall Street Journal earlier this year highlighted how the Internet was filling up because of these “Good Morning” messages and causing glitches in phones halfway across the world.
The country is newly online and many of its residents have already developed unhealthy obsessions with the app and the convenience of the forward button coupled with the urge to share everything to as many people as possible. Unfortunately, this barrage of forwards is not restricted to the optimistic, cheerful greetings but also grim, gruesome messages that very often spread fake news. There almost seems to be a competition and this very rush for virality creates misinformation, often targeted at specific ethnic groups and religions. These play a big role in reinforcing certain stereotypes and mindsets of people. They start believing they have a moral obligation and responsibility to get the message across and prevent atrocities, unknowingly causing many more themselves. The social media platforms meant to connect people across the country and the world have been converted into weapons to hijack information.
Recently, the spread of hoaxes of child abduction led to mob killings, resulting in 21 deaths in parts of the country. Mob violence fueled by rumors and false beliefs is not a new to the country, however, the power of the internet as specifically the ease of forward messages exacerbates this problem. This caused the Indian government to press WhatsApp for changes after accusing the Facebook-owned company for playing a part in these events. The debacle caused the messaging service to reduce forward limits in India to 5, compared to 20 internationally and label messages when they have been forwarded. Local newspapers have also been sprouting precautionary information on how to spot fake news and not buy into it. Distinguishing the right information from the wrong has become increasingly difficult for many as WhatsApp forwards are often touted as the gospel truth. India certainly has become digital but what it needs to truly bring in a technological revolution is a sense of digital responsibility.

Riddhi Mehta
The Little Castle at the Heart of Europe’s Refugee Crisis
8:54 pm Comments Off on The Little Castle at the Heart of Europe’s Refugee Crisis
A boy stands in a busy pool emitting bursts of giggles. His laughter soars above the water, above the heads of the thirty or so children around him, so pure that it is almost painful. What I find more painful, however, are the scars from chemical burns that decorate his tiny chest and arms. Around him, children from different countries speak a multitude of languages to one another; French, Arabic and Dutch. For these children, language is no barrier to friendship. They call me, “Madame, Madame”, a title that I was especially amused by, and shriek with laughter when they splash me with water and are splashed back, amazed at their own daring.
What unites these children is where they live now – a refugee centre known as Le Petit Château in the heart of Brussels.
Swimming, I am told, whilst a normal childhood pastime for most, is of utmost importance for the mental health of this group. For most, water is a reminder of the treacherous journey they undertook with their families across the Mediterranean. So, when they are taken on their outings to the swimming pool and the beach, these dark memories of water and death are slowly replaced by positive ones. Inverting such memories takes a long time. Many of them will not forget being huddled in a rickety boat with their parents, nor the screams of those who did not survive the journey. The trauma they have experienced in their short lifespans is more than what most of us could imagine.
For now, they call Le Petit Château, Belgium’s largest refugee centre, home. And while its direct translation is ‘The Small Castle’, it more closely resembles a prison. Imposing and uninviting, it was constructed in the 19th century as barracks, and later used as a wartime prison. It currently houses around 850 refugees. The inhabitants are allowed to come and go as they please and despite its size I found a real sense of community, particularly amongst the children. It is an entire world inside the walls, a world full of waiting, shared frustrations and fears.
There is a bitter sense of irony in the deep friendships many form in centres like Le Petit Château. In fact, it is a well-documented fact that even though children are acutely aware of the fact that their lives are in transition and they are awaiting a positive response to their applications, when they leave the centres they find it incredibly difficult to adjust.
When I arrive, as a volunteer with an organisation called ‘Serve the City’, the men are immediately willing to introduce themselves and talk but the women are much warier. It is only through connecting with their children that by Wednesday I receive watery smiles, and only on the Friday am I spoken to. In a particularly emotional moment, one woman, whose oldest daughter I had become particularly close with, opened my arms and handed me her tiny, two-month-old baby to hold.
Sadly, the week I was there was also the week the centre’s inhabitants were told of the Belgian Government’s plans to close Le Petit Château. The government cited reasons of the current accommodation being unsuitable and that, because it is an ‘open centre,’ the surrounding neighbourhood has become infamous for finding illegal cheap labour. They proposed instead to open a new centre north of the city in 2019. There is a real sentiment amongst volunteers and the inhabitants that this is indicative of a Europe which does not want the refugee ‘problem’ to be visible in the cities. To me, it seems like the real face of the refugee crisis should be the children. Mothers and fathers only put their children on dangerous boats in the hope that a better life awaits them on the other side. It seems that being shunted from one centre to another, out of sight of the general population, is not the life any parent would wish upon their child and not the life anyone deserves.

Lottie Twyford
The alternative education of International schools
10:51 am Comments Off on The alternative education of International schools
The increasing establishment of International schools has become a growing trend within the Southeast Asian region. While this could be attributed to the effects of globalisation or increasing job opportunities in the region, the growth has been largely due to an increased local demand. In Malaysia, for example, 80% of the students in international schools now are locals, compared to a previous quota of 40% established by the government.
International schools were originally meant as education centers for the children of expats and diplomats living far from home to ensure that they received an appropriate education. They have since become institutions offering an alternative curriculum. This might perhaps be due to the growing dissatisfaction with the local curriculum coupled with parents’ desire for their children to learn critical thinking skills and attain results from a more widely recognized program. Having experienced this firsthand, I too followed my parents’ whims and transitioned from the local Malaysian curriculum to an International school curriculum, around the same time the Malaysian education policy was announced to be switching language mediums for teaching Mathematics and Science from English to Malay.
As a higher number of people are now going abroad for tertiary education, having an initial exposure to an international school background helps prepare students. The local curriculum and its subsequent qualifications, on the other hand, is often not recognized or held in lower regard to international school curriculums by tertiary education institutions abroad. Furthermore, the costs of studying at an international school are a somewhat suitable replacement of studying overseas yet remaining close to home.
The most popular study curriculums in Southeast Asia are the International Baccalaureate and the British A-levels, although options like the American and Australian International schools do exist. For a large number of students, the difference in curriculum means learning much more interesting and diverse content. History lessons in the local curriculum would be largely focused on detailed history of the country while an international curriculum enables students to learn about world history alongside the history of their own nation. Furthermore, taking up creative subjects such as Sociology or Drama were an option, as opposed to the near universal decree where everyone following the local syllabus had to focus on studying Further Mathematics and Sciences. New concepts such as the celebration of international week and attending school trips were new traditions that demonstrated a greater amount of variety beyond the classroom.
That said, the transition is not as seamless as there are several things that one has to get used to. Along the way, you develop a kind of culture with the other international school students, which can be entirely different from the background you grew up from. I’ve met some Malaysians who were less than fluent in Malay or Mandarin, two languages used within the Malaysian community. In fact, as my time within an international school increased, I myself felt became less articulate with speaking those languages since there were fewer opportunities to practice it.
While it took me some time to adapt to the new culture, it being where I am during my most important teenage formative years has arguably shaped who I am today. International schools offer new opportunities that local schools are often unable to offer and cater to the needs of students looking for a curriculum that would put them on par with students around the world. Whether it was engaging in multiple new opportunities such as MUN or learning about other’s cultures, I’ve certainly learned a lot and have been incredibly privileged to have gone through this.

Brandon Tan
What is happening along the US border?
10:48 am Comments Off on What is happening along the US border?
US immigration policy has historically been complex. Its constant changes and abrupt additions have been partially responsible for heightened confusion surrounding what it actually entails.
Barack Obama did say in an address that, “We are a nation of immigrants, but we are also a nation of laws.” The Clinton and Obama administration, in their terms, had constantly brought attention to the ‘broken immigration system’. They pushed for immigration laws under which undocumented immigrants would be stopped from crossing the border by increased force along the borders. The deportation of violent offenders would also be emphasised. The immigration policy in its essence has always been under scrutiny.
The Trump administration has picked up on this very same idea but increased the umbrella for immediate deportation to not only include violent offenders but anyone residing in the country illegally. Playing to the weaknesses of loyal Trump supporters, the administration has used it to their advantage, blaming undocumented immigrants for burdening the economic system and misusing taxpayers’ money.
The policy cannot be viewed independently as it is part of a greater movement of economic nationalism and part of the process of putting America and Americans before anyone else. The current border policy is against the illegal entry of citizens outside the US because it has a massive impact on the economic system. There have been previous claims made that the US have reaped tremendous benefits from opening its doors to immigrants. The argument against it highlights how it creates a gaping hole in the legal system, allowing respect for law to diminish while also bringing about serious security risks.
Trump’s deportation laws have been subject to scathing criticism by the left, and very often rightly so. While most of the media focuses on the immigration policy on the whole, the primary issue has been the problematic implementation of these laws without proper planning or foresight.
It is ripping apart families residing in the country and spreading a sense of dread in immigrant communities. Children of deported and detained parents suffer significant psychological, emotional, developmental and economic damage. People in favor of this hardline immigration policy have often brought up how families do not have to be broken up. However, in the case of families crossing into US illegally, the adults are criminally prosecuted, and, in some cases, separation is inevitable. The separated children are then supposed to be send to nearest relatives living in the US, but this is not always the case. The Department of Health and Human Services also admittedly lost track of around 1500 immigrant children and justified themselves by saying it was not their legal responsibility to track the children.
There are many reports on what is happening along the border, but it has become increasingly difficult to discern what is true and what is false. The massive divide between the right and the left has ensured that news reaching both sides tend to be skewed and facts are often subjective, complicating the situation even further.

Riddhi Mehta
Why was everyone infatuated with 12 Thai boys?
10:41 am Comments Off on Why was everyone infatuated with 12 Thai boys?
Disclaimer: I am in no way diminishing the efforts of the Navy SEALS, nor how fortunate and resilient these boys were in their rescue. This piece is not intended to be of any disrespect towards the lives and contributions of the individuals of this event.
It was June 23rd when a group of teens ages 11 to 16 accompanied by their coach became trapped after undergoing an “initiation” which involved entering the Tham Luang cave system during monsoon season. Rapid rainfall resulted in their entrapment and they were found approximately nine days afterwards. Using scuba equipment and draining efforts the boys and their coach all managed to escape after being trapped underground for 18 days. So these are the facts, but why did it reach almost global coverage?
The last event documented remotely towards this scale was the 2010 Copiapó mining incident where 33 miners were trapped underground for 69 days. These were miners attempting to earn a living, voluntarily entering hazardous areas in hopes of a regular pay check. Their resilience in the face of near certain death was heroic and the mental strength never wavered no matter how the months dragged on. Deservedly, they were commemorated via a movie capturing their harrowing ordeal, but can we say the same for the supposedly incidental entrapment of the Thai boys?
In my opinion what seems to have been commemorative in the case of the Chilean miners could be an exploitive capitalistic move by movie producers to ride this globally covered event to the bank. This incident might have been huge for the Thai government, but the immediate announcement by the Thai tourism board of their intention to create a museum to remember the events of the past few months is almost distasteful. This was further followed up with a movie based on the ordeal of the boys. This mad rush to capitalise on every aspect of the rescue mission is borderline disrespectful. The media definitely has a huge role to play in this capitalisation of the amount of importance given to this case because it was ultimately profitable. It seems like a cheap ploy to enable the exploitation of a remarkable event by those who seek views and wish to capitalise on events that they have no right to abuse.

Ezra Yeng
Another Side, Another Story: Technical University of Munich
July 30, 2018 2:22 pm Comments Off on Another Side, Another Story: Technical University of Munich
Upon receiving the delightful news of my acceptance to the Technical University of Munich (TUM) in Germany to study abroad in their Winter Semester (October 2017 – March 2018), my focus immediately shifted to preparing and researching my destination. My initial knowledge and awareness of German Universities was sound at best, but the challenge of immersing myself in an educational environment of excellence (and thriving) was a personal goal I wanted to achieve. The primary similarity between ANU and TUM is the research-intensive focus, however the main focus of this article is outlining the stark differences between the two.
Currently studying a Bachelor of Engineering (with a backbone focus in Systems Engineering), I was cognisant of the contrasting curriculums between the ANU and TUM. Whilst it was my intention to study as many ‘course credited equivalent’ subjects as possible (all equating to 24 ANU Units or approximately 30 ECTS credits), part of my preparation focused on the ‘course structure’ of each subject (namely assessment deliverables). Furthermore, I wanted to use this opportunity to explore related subject areas which were beyond the scope of my major/degree.
Courses can be taken up across multiple colleges however a firm rule was that at least 50% of all ECTS credits must be registered within your primary college/department. More specifically, two courses I took up and thoroughly enjoyed were “Radar Signals and “Systems and Satellite Navigation”. The broader scope of subjects and research conducted in Communications Engineering (in this instance) has encouraged me to research a possible career path in this sector. It will amaze you just how diverse TUM’s subject lists are. These are just two subjects of dozens on offer (within the Electrical and Computer Engineering department alone).
In terms of course assessment, I was quite surprised to find that across all TUM departments, exams were the primary assessment item (weighted from 75-100% of a course grade) with little emphasis placed on assignments. In all ANU Engineering subjects assessment weightings are evenly distributed for each deliverable.
Regarding classroom management, I was surprised to learn that TUM did not utilise a Lecture Recording System (a la Echo360). Common across the majority of Europe, (excepting a service and amenities semester fee, half of which pays for your student train ticket), there are no tuition fees whatsoever. Understandably, a lecture recording system would be deemed too expensive to maintain in this case.
ANU is (for the most part) a decentralised tertiary institution (namely in terms of College Administration and Management – I belong to the College of Engineering and Computer Science: CECS so the majority of my queries would be addressed here). This is the case at TUM, but unlike ANU, TUM’s entire university is divided into three main campuses (all of which are spread throughout the city of Munich). Whilst all my classes were fortunately on the same campus, I wanted to bring to your attention that the possibility of commuting (on Munich’s excellent subway/U-Bahn network) is highly likely if you have courses spanning multiple campuses. The advantage of the campuses being integrated into the city is the close proximity you are to everything (namely shops and public transport services).
Despite all my exchange courses being delivered from a primarily theoretical standpoint, I had acquired some new technical skills (both Engineering and Business Management related) which I aim to leverage on and apply throughout the rest of my degree. Excursions to companies (with strong ties to TUM) such as BMW, Bosch and smaller-sized start-ups all echoed the importance of the Entrepreneurship mindset. Taking note, guest lecture seminars from representatives of industry (some from these prestigious companies) also sparked a greater self-interest on the importance of cross-disciplinary study (acquiring skills from Field A to complement work in Field B) and being able to effectively collaborate with others to achieve common goals. What the ANU Systems Engineering program excels in is a strong focus on utilising the above principles, so from a learning perspective, I felt like I could relate a bit.
Munich has an eclectic mix of historical and modern architecture which is beautifully integrated all across the city. Whilst numerous travel guides can inform you (better than I) of detailed and interesting descriptions on ‘life outside the University sphere’, I will make a quick remark regarding Munich’s social life from a specific perspective.
Länderabend is a social event held on an occasion co basis aimed to unite both German and International students. More specifically, it provides a platform for International students (studying at TUM although other Munich-based Universities run similar events) to showcase their home culture, give students the opportunity to eat traditional food, socialise and acquire information of prospective exchange abroad opportunities as well.
The exchange journey has impacted me in more ways that I summarise into words. I will conclude by acknowledging that TUM is not only a world-class institution of learning and pioneer but also has allowed me to establish contacts and starting building my networks today.
Auf Wiedersehen TUM, Munich and Germany.

Woroni Comment
The unsettling rise of Xi Jinping
May 18, 2018 1:45 pm Comments Off on The unsettling rise of Xi Jinping
In March this year, China’s National People’s Congress voted to abolish presidential term limits, paving the way for President Xi Jinping to remain indefinitely in office. The move marked a radical change from China’s norm-bound system of leadership succession, raising questions about the survival of the current regime. Yet far from exposing the regime to the chaotic power struggles of the past, the move marks a logical step in Xi’s consolidation of power and the worrying resurgence of the personalistic dictatorship.
In the 1980s, under the leadership of Deng Xiaoping, China began to implement a range of reforms aimed at ensuring stability in the post-Mao era. A set of clearly defined rules for leadership succession, including the requirement to retire at 70 and a two-term limit for the presidency paved the way for smooth, non-violent leadership transitions. With the chaotic power struggles of Mao’s era out of the way, China welcomed a new era of stability – one supposedly resilient to the emergence of yet another personalistic dictatorship. It wouldn’t last.
So what went wrong? In 2002, Jiang Zemin peacefully transferred his leadership position to Hu Jintao, with the same stable transition occurring between Hu and Xi Jinping in 2012. Yet the removal of the two-two limit marks a radical, although anticipated, shift in the system. With the two-term limit removed, Xi will not be required to step down as president in 2023 – once his second five-year-term is up. This major change has likely ended any remaining hopes for democratisation in the world’s fastest growing economy. Yet more than that, it has exposed – with clarity – Xi Jinping’s intentions to position himself as China’s next leader for life.
It is this cult of personality that draws comparisons to Mao. And the removal of term limits is not the only change that suggests this. The 19th Party Congress confirmed “Xi Jinping Thought” as the central political doctrine of the Chinese Communist Party (the CCP). This move has propelled China into a new era of politics, one that is shaped by the ideas of one man – Xi. As Chris Buckley of the New York Times argues, the doctrine serves as a blueprint for Xi’s consolidating of power at the national, party, and personal level. It makes sense, in this context, for Xi to remain on as leader indefinitely – after all, the future of the CCP is now completely intertwined with Xi himself.
It is changes like these that have commentators worried about the direction China’s future is moving towards. For the last six years, China has been creeping slowly towards a dangerous form of authoritarian nationalism. The move to abolishing presidential term limits fits in with this trend, marking the natural end point of increasing state antagonism to Western democracy, persistent and invasive censorship, and increased crackdowns on civil society.
In politics, nothing is inevitable. Yet Xi’s removal of two-term limits came close to it. But it would be naive to suggest that the country is edging towards a personalistic dictatorship much like Saddam Hussein’s Iraq, or Kim Jong-un’s North Korea. Rather, Xi Jinping has positioned himself as the personal driver of growth and prosperity for China’s future, with citizens reaping the benefits. His consolidation of power is worrying – but with China’s current economic might on the world stage, and high levels of support for the current regime, it doesn’t appear as though the CCP will lose its grip on power anytime soon.

Woroni Comment
Another Side, Another Story: Uppsala University
1:35 pm Comments Off on Another Side, Another Story: Uppsala University
Bottomless filter coffee for $1 AUD, a plentiful of thrift shops, and ABBA songs played as the fourth song on a night out. This is “Bachelor [Degree Student] in [Scandinavian] Paradise”.
Sweden is more than just Muppet chefs and sophisticated furniture designs. Thanks to globalisation, Swedish ingenuity permeates our everyday living – Skype, Spotify, H&M, the Celsius temperature scale, zippers, Hövding bicycle airbag and Alicia Vikander. So, why not assemble the pieces yourself and construct your dream exchange experience?
Reminiscent of Canberra, Uppsala is a quaint University town only 30 minutes away by train from the metropolitan Stockholm. With historic establishments standing since 1477, Uppsala’s exteriors put Sydney’s Hogwarts to shame (sorry). Facilities are modern and spacious, and lecture sizes are intimate. Each semester is divided into four study periods, meaning each course runs one after the other as “semi-intensives” lasting around four or five weeks, with a final exam or assessment immediately after. Uppsala values immersive education, where the lecturers really try to engage with students. If you fail or cannot make your final exam, there are no consequences for taking the re-sit. Your re-sit mark will become your final grade, with no “pass with supplementary” unlike ANU.
Student life here is bountiful. Thanks to the Erasmus Programme and other extensive exchange initiatives, Uppsala is home to a diverse international student community. If you are given the opportunity, I highly recommend taking the Basic Swedish summer intensive course. No bond is stronger than practicing the nine Swedish vowels tongue twisters and adventures to countryside castles, old Viking towns, and an elk farm.
Swedish culture doesn’t stop there. If you’re a culinary thrill seeker, you can indulge in delicacies like salt cod roe in a tube (Kalles Kaviar), sandwich cakes (smörgåstårta), cinnamon pastries (kanelbullar and sweets in general), crayfish parties (kräftskiva), and salted liquorice (saltlakrits) in every form imaginable…just to name a few. Also prepare yourself for Swedish takes on other cuisines – a heated argument between an Italian student and the Swedish teacher after discovering that Swedes put ketchup on spaghetti Bolognese is testament to this.
The centrepiece of Uppsala’s thriving student life is the Student Nations. Each of the thirteen Nations hosts a myriad of social events, and are also responsible for running student cafés, pubs and nightclubs. Simply put, it is ANU rescom on steroids. These are completely student-run institutions that have existed since the 17th century, often within decadent castle-like buildings as old of the Nations’ itself. Events they host regularly include fancy dress dinners, songbook dinners (literally singing, drinking and eating into the night), daily fika (a Swedish social practice), club nights, and much more. I simply cannot describe it. It is something that you must experience for yourself.
One of the first things people often ask me is: how cold is Sweden? There’s no point in sugar-coating this one. It’s cold. However, when a frozen river that runs from Uppsala to Stockholm means an annual ice-skating marathon (see Vikingarännet), there is much fun to be had in this winter wonderland. Think snowball fights, making snow angels, and catapulting a 22-pound snowman off the seventh floor (not saying I tried this or anything…)
Another thing people often ask me is whether I’d go back. In a heartbeat, YES. Anything to do the infamous 10 pm Flogsta scream again (I’m not even going to explain this, just Google it).

Woroni Comment
Rendang Retaliation, Minus the Crisp
1:28 pm Comments Off on Rendang Retaliation, Minus the Crisp
Netizens of Malaysia received a big shock a little over a month ago, when the top headline was a MasterChef judge mistaking the criteria for a Malaysian participant’s rendang. Malaysian-born contestant Zaleha Kadir presented a traditional local dish, nasi lemak, with a side of spicy chicken rendang. “The chicken skin isn’t crispy. It can’t be eaten, and all the sauce is on the skin, so I can’t eat it,” critiqued the MasterChef judge, Gregg Wallace. The judgement made by Mr. Wallace and a second judge, John Torode, resulted in the elimination of the wronged Zaleha Kadir.
This mishap brought on a series of fuming responses across the media from Malaysian citizens. Even the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Najib Razak, pitched in with a tweet to support his country and express his bewilderment – “Mana ada orang makan rendang ayam ‘crispy’?” (“Who’s eaten crispy rendang chicken before?”) Most unforgiving comments were angled at the judges’ credibility – how can one be a world-renowned Celebrity Chef lacking knowledge on all types of cuisine? One commentator professed his irritation on a post, saying: “Such limited knowledge on cuisine from around the world. Gordon Ramsay himself knows what is chicken rendang and even made it himself. I bet Ramsay would love to smash a plate of ‘crispy chicken rendang’ on the floor or on your heads after watching this episode… the Hell’s Kitchen way!”
The ridiculous situation brought unity upon two other nations who have similar versions of this dish – Singapore and Indonesia. The three nations, especially Malaysia and Singapore, usually have friendly neighborhood banter on things like who has better food, better tourism and hotter weather. “[Malaysians] view Singapore as our rich cousin who likes to show off, while Singaporeans see Malaysians as people who only know how to have fun,” quoted from Kavin Jayaram, a Malaysian comedian. Followed by Mr. Wallace’s comment, netizens of the three nations got together and set out on a mission to sort out the worldwide confusion, explaining in detail key differences among the variety of cooking styles of the same dish.
Whilst beef is usually the most popular choice of meat in rendang curry, Kadir’s choice of chicken applies to the same concept. The chicken cooked in curry resembles more of a stew and comes out soft and tender and not even remotely crispy. Some claimed the judges assessed the rendang based on the typical side to Malaysia’s national dish nasi lemak – fried chicken – and therefore expected crispiness. It was also pointed out that Torode had prior experience of cooking traditional rendang during an episode of ‘John Torode’s Malaysian Adventure’, proving his evaluation to be even more ludicrous. Kadir held no grudges and simply wrote on her Instagram that she was “gutted to be eliminated but [will stand by the] traditional way of cooking,” and thanked all those who stood by her and supported her all the way.
In response to the hoard of angry comments, as if to add fuel to the fire, Torode wrote in a tweet (which has now been deleted, but plenty of screenshots online if you’re interested): “Maybe Rendang is Indonesian!! Love this!! Brilliant how excited you are all getting … Namaste.” There are three things wrong with his tweet. Firstly, despite lengthy debates over the years on the origins of prominent Malaysian and Indonesian traditional dishes, it is hard to trace back and unavoidable since the two share several cultural and culinary traditions after decades of intertwined history. Secondly, the greeting ‘Namaste’ is of the Indian Subcontinent, and has little to do with Malaysia or Indonesia, which fired even more backlash in Torode’s direction claiming his ignorance and ‘whitesplaining’ of cultures. Finally, the sheer sarcasm was not helping his situation. Whilst people all over were expecting an apology on behalf the misdiagnosis and maybe using this opportunity to educate themselves on three cultures at once, all Torode and Wallace accomplished was showcasing their ignorance and reducing the authenticity of the MasterChef show. Nevertheless, the comment failed to rile up tension between countries and only unified them further against a mutual common enemy.
Zaleha Kadir said once that she entered MasterChef with the hope that it “will help her boost and promote authentic Malaysian food in the UK”. Needless to say, the outcome of this whole fiasco managed to give Kadir a whole lot more fame, acknowledgement and support which she deserved as well as a golden opportunity to Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore to team up against evil forces who materialised in the form of egotistic chefs. I am certain the rendang chicken is grateful and appreciates every second basking in the light of glory. Thank you to all who brought justice to our cuisine!

Woroni Comment