This past week, I celebrated my own convocation from the University of Calgary and saw my Facebook News Feed blow up with graduation regalia, "Congratulations!" greetings, and bright and shiny faces of my many graduating peers. Among the celebratory chaos, Anh Cao's bright and shiny face popped up with a link to an incredible story of a Homeless Star Student who recently graduated from the University of Toronto.
Why did a brilliant student have to be homeless in the first place? It was devastating to see the way this story was framed. The Canadian post-secondary system failed this international student, and many others whose stories might not be as bright and shiny as Anh Cao's. His story is incredible and I'm sure he is an outstanding human being, but his pursuit of a better future and world-class education should not have forced him into a homeless shelter.
Get it together media - let's talk about the ever growing inaccessibility of post secondary education and the lack of resources there are for students like Anh Cao.
Why did a brilliant student have to be homeless in the first place? It was devastating to see the way this story was framed. The Canadian post-secondary system failed this international student, and many others whose stories might not be as bright and shiny as Anh Cao's. His story is incredible and I'm sure he is an outstanding human being, but his pursuit of a better future and world-class education should not have forced him into a homeless shelter.
Get it together media - let's talk about the ever growing inaccessibility of post secondary education and the lack of resources there are for students like Anh Cao.
Instead of blaming the systems of oppressions in our society, the Toronto Star chose to blame Anh Cao's own drive and ambition for the hardship that he endured as a student:
"Still, some of Anh Cao’s hurdles were his own fault.
If he hadn’t grown so keen in first year to become a researcher in Treanor’s lab, he wouldn’t have decided to take two summer courses to speed up his qualifications, and wouldn’t have raided the fall installment of his scholarship to pay for them." - Louise Brown, toronto star, 9 JUNE 2015
I am having a lot of trouble finding the words to express my fury at the Toronto Star's audacity to frame Cao's own ambition and diligence as a "fault." He a fucking genius and it is not his "fault" for trying to complete his education faster. Longer time spent in post secondary = higher cost of living expenses.
His desire to become a researcher is a reflection of the notion that practical, hands-on experience in the work environment is vital for new graduates to have on a resume in order to be competitive in the job market upon graduation. It should be highlighted that Anh Cao recognized this and was proactive in taking the steps to make himself the best possible researcher and potential employee he could be before graduation.
As a student who participated in the Co-operative Education program myself, many of the positions that I could apply for were unpaid but would have been valuable experience. Why should students have to choose between vital professional training and having a roof over their heads? Unpaid internships (or even programs that ask you to pay thousands for the experience - I'm looking at you The Washington Centre) are systematically unfair. It is reserved for those who have the privilege and money. However, at the end of the day, it is the new graduates with internships and work experience who have the leg up on the rest of their graduating class - and there is nothing wrong with trying to gain that advantage.
Anh Cao did exactly what the (North) American Dream told him to do - work hard, reach higher. His experience highlights the devastating gaps and flaws of our education systems - and that is something that the University of Toronto should be ashamed about.
His desire to become a researcher is a reflection of the notion that practical, hands-on experience in the work environment is vital for new graduates to have on a resume in order to be competitive in the job market upon graduation. It should be highlighted that Anh Cao recognized this and was proactive in taking the steps to make himself the best possible researcher and potential employee he could be before graduation.
As a student who participated in the Co-operative Education program myself, many of the positions that I could apply for were unpaid but would have been valuable experience. Why should students have to choose between vital professional training and having a roof over their heads? Unpaid internships (or even programs that ask you to pay thousands for the experience - I'm looking at you The Washington Centre) are systematically unfair. It is reserved for those who have the privilege and money. However, at the end of the day, it is the new graduates with internships and work experience who have the leg up on the rest of their graduating class - and there is nothing wrong with trying to gain that advantage.
Anh Cao did exactly what the (North) American Dream told him to do - work hard, reach higher. His experience highlights the devastating gaps and flaws of our education systems - and that is something that the University of Toronto should be ashamed about.
Canadian kindness?
I am also appalled that the above article touts "Canadian kindness" as being Anh Cao's saving grace. Yes, those who supported him were incredibly kind but let's think about how the cost of tuition was gauging him for everything he had, forcing him into a position where he did have to ask for help. This just perpetuates the fallacy that Canadians are nicer than other nationalities in the world, yet we have this incredibly oppressive post secondary system for international students (and many domestic students too!).
I am also appalled that the above article touts "Canadian kindness" as being Anh Cao's saving grace. Yes, those who supported him were incredibly kind but let's think about how the cost of tuition was gauging him for everything he had, forcing him into a position where he did have to ask for help. This just perpetuates the fallacy that Canadians are nicer than other nationalities in the world, yet we have this incredibly oppressive post secondary system for international students (and many domestic students too!).
Calgary connection
This also ties into the ongoing issue of secondary suites in Calgary. Students are sacrificing valuable studying time in part time jobs that often have little to do with their degrees. All of this time and effort should mean that students have access to affordable, safe housing. Secondary suites across the city could make that happen and alleviate the stress of students who rely on the wages of their part time jobs to keep a roof over their head while they are studying full time.
Get a good education, they say - but there are so many things standing in the way like the lack of affordable housing, high tuition, low wages, poor studying conditions at home, anxiety/stress/depression as a result, and so much more!
This also ties into the ongoing issue of secondary suites in Calgary. Students are sacrificing valuable studying time in part time jobs that often have little to do with their degrees. All of this time and effort should mean that students have access to affordable, safe housing. Secondary suites across the city could make that happen and alleviate the stress of students who rely on the wages of their part time jobs to keep a roof over their head while they are studying full time.
Get a good education, they say - but there are so many things standing in the way like the lack of affordable housing, high tuition, low wages, poor studying conditions at home, anxiety/stress/depression as a result, and so much more!
Checking my privilege
I am fortunate enough to have attended university because I lived at home rent-free (thanks, Mom!), worked part-time during the school year/full-time during summers, and took out some hefty student loans (I am already dreading the long road to paying them back). I am privileged to have had this opportunity to study without worrying about where I would be living or whether I'd be eating on any given day. I was lucky enough that the program I wanted was a mere 40 minute train ride from home.
Anh Cao had travelled across the world. To frame his experience in the way that the University of Toronto and Toronto Star did is backhanded and Hunger Games-esque. "Congratulations on winning the game and surviving all the shitty adversity our society put you through - like homelessness, hunger, poverty, and soul-crushing stress! You didn't crumble (but we won't talk about the many that did because that wouldn't make for great press)!"
There are so many people who will read Anh Cao's story and will nod along because these are real risks that they are taking if they choose to pursue post secondary education.
That's terrifying.
This isn't the fucking Hunger Games - or at least it shouldn't be.
I am fortunate enough to have attended university because I lived at home rent-free (thanks, Mom!), worked part-time during the school year/full-time during summers, and took out some hefty student loans (I am already dreading the long road to paying them back). I am privileged to have had this opportunity to study without worrying about where I would be living or whether I'd be eating on any given day. I was lucky enough that the program I wanted was a mere 40 minute train ride from home.
Anh Cao had travelled across the world. To frame his experience in the way that the University of Toronto and Toronto Star did is backhanded and Hunger Games-esque. "Congratulations on winning the game and surviving all the shitty adversity our society put you through - like homelessness, hunger, poverty, and soul-crushing stress! You didn't crumble (but we won't talk about the many that did because that wouldn't make for great press)!"
There are so many people who will read Anh Cao's story and will nod along because these are real risks that they are taking if they choose to pursue post secondary education.
That's terrifying.
This isn't the fucking Hunger Games - or at least it shouldn't be.