Global views on plagiarism
Story by Independent student reporter Léo Washburn
Clark has seen a 143 percent increase in international student enrollment this year, led by 130 students from Saudi Arabia. College officials note that the influx has generated new challenges related to cultural differences. (Graphic by Diana Aristizabal)
An international student was facing charges of plagiarism for having copied a classmate’s work. The young woman’s defense to the Clark College Behavioral Intervention Threat Assessment team was that she didn’t think she’d done anything wrong. In her country, students are supposed to show up to class with their work done to show they are prepared to understand what is being taught. Even if it means copying from a fellow student.
As Clark welcomes more students from around the world to its campus – 213 this year so far – these students, as well as domestic students, faculty and staff, are facing a plethora of challenges centered around cultural differences.
“I lived and taught in Poland and students there told me ‘if you don’t copy you’re stupid. Why wouldn’t you copy the paper of someone who is smarter than you’ Copying around the world is not always seen as plagiarism,” Jane Walster, Director of International Programs said.