Geography is History

No, this is not about textbooks of social studies, which combines geography, history and civics. It is about children migrating to far away lands even for their undergraduation. Bright and eager eyed students migrating for postgraduation to the US is now a given. It is no longer a party topic. If children dont migrate to the US for higher studies, it is a topic of great concern for all extended family. A very senior member of the family asked me why my son did not go to the US.I was asked to 'explain with referece to context'!

I had heard one of my colleagues in office sending her son for studying 'art' in Italy many years ago. I was quite surprised about the choice of study and place of study. But then I am wiser now  am no longer surprised when a relative sends their daughter for undergraduation to Toranto, Canada. I was interested in knowing what made them choose Toranto, the farthest place anybody can send their ward. The answer was almost like 'because it is there'. And another friend's son had been looking out for higher education and suddenly she declared that her son is going to New Zealand to do his masters in engineering. I was curious why New Zealand.I had never heard that it is a favoured destination for engineering studies. She said, he does not want to go to the US like everybody else and wants to try a different place. Yes, that's it, wants to buck the trend and chart a new path. So New Zealand it is, again as far away from home as possible.

I had the same reaction when ten to twelve years back a friend told me that her son is going to australia to do masters in his subject. I asked her why Australia and she said a similar reason. Her son felt everybody is going to the US, so he wanted to try a different place. After that many of my colleagues had sent their wards to australia, so it has now again become passe.

A few years back a friends daughter had gone to China for pursuing medical studies. It was not a easy decision. She was a very good student, but environment being what it is in Chennai, she could not get a medical seat on merit. So she responded to another friend's information about medical studies being good and affordable in China. With lot of trepedition and anxiety they undertook this project and now a couple of years down the line are somewhat accepting of the situation.I was looking at the map, to spot where she will be studying. It is really in the top edge of map of china and must be very very cold. My friend said the whole structure is made up of medical college, labs, students dorms, department stores and all amenities for living ,including outdoor games which are indoor.Virtually a city, but only it is very real.So they need not get out of the complex, so the extreme weather is no deterrant! So now, I wont be surprised when somebody says they are going to china for higher studies.

Africa and south america have still not come on the map of  'must go places for higher studies'. So far.

I am reminded of the huge tumult caused in extended family, friends and colleagues when D decided to go to Singapore for her undergraduate course in life sciences.That was more than 15 years ago. I had to answer a lot of 'whys' from many of them but  remember that they still sported perplexed look on their faces after I gave a detailed 'why'.

How are the children and the parents coping with the great migration is a fascinating study. Wait for the next post!