Will You Face Ragging While Studying Abroad

News & Events

Sunday — April 30, 2017

By:Study Abroad

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Ragging or also known as Hazing in universities is very common and serious matter which has never been highlighted

much on media. Ragging is bullying, insulting abusing of junior or new students in various ways by their seniors. Ragging is kind of a tradition in all universities all around the world including Pakistan. It usually takes place when it is your first week in a university or college. If it is in your own country, you may be able to defend yourself or go against it but this can be quite difficult if you are in foreign country.

Today our topic of discussion is Ragging in foreign universities. As our purpose is to promote foreign education our country so we must also discuss all the hindrances you may have to face while studying abroad. Ragging is something that seniors at a college consider their due right on juniors as they were also once hazed the same way. I have myself seen many such examples in my university.

What is Ragging?

As discussed ragging is done by seniors of a college or university. When you are new at an educational institute, you don’t know much about that place and don’t have many friends. First day at any place is always tough. You are already confused and your seniors take advantage of that vulnerability.

Since seniors already know all about the institute and have rooted themselves there, it is easy for them to put traps for you. They always come in gangs and corner you. Then they start bullying, starting from scaring you. They will ask you do things that you are most certainly uncomfortable with. These usually comprise both male and females so even if you are female, that won’t help much.

Is Ragging Legal?

Ragging is unethical for sure but not always illegal. A lot countries have announced it illegal and has penalty if found

involved in any such activity. Ragging in India is illegal and so is in 41 states of United States of America. However, some countries and states still don’t have any law on it. It also depends on the university. Some universities have strict rules on ragging and take serious actions against those who do it. Some don’t care and in some universities Ragging is not allowed but they don’t have any strictness on it and let students enjoy. An example of latter is Bahauddin Zakariya University where I study. Freshmen are harassed though it is prohibited and no actions are taken against those committed it.

Are International Students Hazed?

When you are about become a victim of immoral, unethical humiliating act, I don’t think convict cares about your nationality. As discussed above, there are already laws on ragging. But there is no specific rule for foreigners. In most universities of United States, it is highly unlikely to get ragged in campus. However, there are many other societies, clubs, hostel, sororities and fraternities where you will face this issue.

I have been reading an article on Times of India, where they discussed the issue of international students being ragged at foreign universities. They criticized the act and said this issue is never highlighted on media and need to be sternly taken care of. If you ask whether you will be ragged that mostly depends on your university and the country. But I can say for sure, that you will at least once face it. If not on campus then may be in residence hall, or when joining a club or society but eventually it will come to you.

How is Ragging Done?

Ragging basically humiliating! How many possible ways can there be to humiliate you? Count all of them. This issue can go from a little fun to extreme level of sexual abuse (highly unlikely, illegal everywhere, serious punishment). I will discuss some of the most common ways of ragging.

Dressing the freshman in embarrassing outfits with makeup like clowns, babies, etc. for whole day(s).
Requiring freshmen to eat a meal without using their hands, especially one that's considered "gross" (baby food, edible insects, or mixtures of foods like ketchup and chocolate milk)
Telling freshmen to sing funny songs or read a script in the middle of a busy courtyard
Serving freshmen strong alcoholic beverages to induce intoxication (mostly fraternities and sororities)
Making freshmen ask to photography unclothed women/men at a party, or collect signatures from the opposite sex near their private parts (mostly fraternities and sororities)
Making them dance in public.
Taking forced treats from them.
Taking money.
Putting lipstick or makeup on men’s face

How to Avoid Ragging?

The places where you are most likely to get hazed is your residence hall (hostel), Greek organizations like fraternities and sororities, clubs and athletics teams. In university you are given security and if not them, there can be some teachers or anti-ragging team members around. Since, this is illegal it is not done in public. Make sure you already prepare for what is about to happen. Try not to fight and avoid them as much as possible. Sooner you make more and strong friends, safer you will be. Get some more freshmen with you and stay in pack.

I am not promoting bunking or skipping classes but this is one way to save yourself from humiliation in front of all your new classmate boys and girls who will be your future friends. You will miss a lot by not going to university on your first days. You can acquire the help of a friend, who will go and then tell you all about what happened. Otherwise, you can go but mix in with other juniors for the time being and stay away if you see any trouble and definitely don’t try to be hero and save someone.

Here is a golden piece of advice that you must follow and no one is going to tell you.

“Don’t believe or rely on your senior friends in campus”

You think you have senior friends there who will save you from this trouble but believe me, asking them for help is like falling in trap yourself.