Plagiarism Committed by International Students - Essay Example

Critical review of articles “Why many international students get a failing grade in academic integrity” and “Plagiarism from a Cross-Cultural Perspective” The topic that I am writing about is plagiarism committed by international students. Plagiarism in the US, Canadian and in the West in general is defined as “taking another person’s work and presenting it as one’s own. This action may typically be categorized under one of two headings: intentional and unintentional”. There are many causes of the plagiarism that can be categorized as intentional or unintentional. This becomes a problem because most of those who commit plagiarism are international students which James Bradshaw and Tamara Baluja have anecdotally set the figure at over 50% that makes up about 12 percent of the total student body at U of T (2011). This is a serious issue because plagiarism is considered as a serious infraction in Western universities that has a consequence that ranges from reminder to expulsion. There are a number of reasons cited for committing plagiarism as well as solutions to minimize and avoid similar occurrences in the future. This paper will compare the various solutions presented to minimize plagiarism such as language tutorials, familiarization with academic expectation and taking online quiz and from among these solutions will evaluate the most tenable option for international students. Often, plagiarism is committed by international students not because they intend to “cheat or steal one’s idea and claiming it as one’s own” but rather unintentional. This is attributed more to cultural differences rather than the blatant intention to cheat. Western students are more accustomed to their native individualist culture and language it therefore it is easier for them to adapt and express their own thoughts in their native language and to be critical with the paper that they are doing. This is entirely different to foreign students. First, they have to struggle with the language that they are not accustomed with and their vocabularies are often lacking. Second, there is a huge difference in the perception of among foreign students of what constitute cheating in an academic setting. Take for example the case of Middle Eastern students as exemplified by Magied Alsqoor, an international student from Saudi Arabia and President of the International Students Association at St. Cloud State University who articulated the cultural differences of Saudi Arabian students with western students that puts them in trouble; I think people in Saudi Arabia are very close to each other and so we grow up helping each other. It’s a good thing, but it becomes a problem for Saudis in the U.S. We often get out of an exam and share questions with others and we think it’s a common thing because we grow up in a society that tells us to share things and wish the best for your friends. In Saudi Arabia, your accomplishments are not recorded by your name, but by your tribe or family. For instance, when a guy from Najran succeeds, it’s considered as a success for the whole city. In the U.S. this is not the case (Al Jamiat, nd). This is classic example of what is virtue in a certain cultural context is a misdemeanor in another’s. Saudis typify the Middle Eastern sense of community to share and help each other but this does not sit well in the west especially during exams. Also, there is a misdemeanor shared by almost all international students – that is their tendency to mug and mimic teacher’s words in their academic works without proper citation. Middle East students as well as Indians believe that the more they take notes of what the teacher say, the higher their chance of getting good grades. Asians are more notorious in this aspect because culturally, they are very respectful of figure heads especially teachers that the non-use of their teacher’s words and language would constitute disrespect. So one can only imagine the adjustment they have to make in the new academic setting because what used to get them good grades can get them in trouble in their new academic environment. One of the solutions presented in the paper is language tutorial where most universities offer to international students. But this is often ineffective because this is voluntary and students only avail of it when they are already in trouble which in this case, is already too late. Pride also gets in the way of international students of availing language tutorials. The mere fact that there is still a high number of international students committing plagiarism is indicative that such approach is ineffective. Another solution presented was an advice for foreign students to familiarize oneself with the academic expectations of the university he or she is attending. It was also advised to make use of the resources that is available in the university for helping students to avoid plagiarism. They could ask for citation styles from the professor, librarian or writing center staff and to seek advice from advisor or leader of an international student committee if one is having problem with cultural differences. Again, this approach is also not working because it is an instinct of any international students to familiarize himself or herself with the new surrounding and how to go about it. For all we know, the international student may already be in trouble for inadvertently committing plagiarism because he or she did not think of it as an issue in the first place that is why he or she did not ask for help. The solution however presented by Windsor is more tenable. It eliminates the previous barriers of foreign students who should be asking for help about language and cultural differences. This is a “short, online academic integrity quiz every student takes when registering for courses” (Bradshaw and Baluja, 2011). Through this, international students are properly oriented about their new surrounding plus they are being helped with their language barrier before any issue would arise. This also serves as a reminder of their new cultural context to be mindful of the new rules especially about plagiarism so as not run the danger of violating them. Most international students do not intend to cheat. They are just not fully aware of the academic rules of their university in addition worsened by the cultural differences. It would still be difficult however for foreign students not to use the words of their teachers without citing because it is deeply embedded in them that there is nothing wrong in using their teacher’s words because it is what they are accustomed to. University administrator can correct this gradually by constantly reminding student to cite them when they use their words. This however would not entirely solve the issue given the high incidence of plagiarism among international students. Clearly, a more proactive study is needed to address the issues that compel international students to inadvertently plagiarize with the objective of minimizing such incidence if not totally eliminating them. References Bradshaw, James and Baluja, Tamara (2011). Why many international students get a failing grade in academic integrity Plagiarism from a Cross-Cultural Perspective Read More