It's not a bad way to finish the day, particularly when it's hot, and the couch is beside a pool. Anyway.
I was interrupted by three guys, all about my age, who stopped for a chat. Which is good, I'm a chatty sort of person. So we chatted.
It could've been a joke...
It could've been a joke...
Two Persians and a Malaysian walk into a bar. The first Persian requests a soft drink, because he's studying later.
The second says absolutely nothing, and promptly fires up his sheesha.
And the Malaysian wanders over and punches 90's western pop songs into the juke box.
Interesting bunch. Each quite different.
All are studying. One mechanical engineering, one IT, and one, from what I could gather, some sort of business-mixed-with-english studies.
One of the Iranian guys (learnt something that day: Persian=Iranian) that we'll call Mike for fun, gave me a new insight into world politics. In this case, it was perhaps better described as fate.
He was explaining the problem with life in Iran.
Mike comes from a well off family. His father is a helicopter pilot, his brother and sisters all went to university and went on to get good jobs. His mother was able to stay at home and keep house.
They're clearly a hardworking, intelligent bunch. In any other country, that would be enough.
But Mike is uneasy about his current situation.
I was surprised about how many Iranian students I found studying in Malaysia. There are two reasons, from what I can gather. The first is financial. Malaysian Universities are pretty cheap by world standards.
And while no-one actually said it, I get the feeling that Malaysia's standing as a modern Islamic nation has a bit to do with it's popularity as well.
(don't follow? Can you imagine doing an Australian O-week as a non-drinking muslim?)
Mike loves it here. He's made friends, and his studies are going well. His english is excellent.
But he's worried that he'll have to go home early.
His family isn't running out of money. They're not poor. The problem they face is a simple one of currency and exchange rates. Ten years ago, the Iranian Rial was selling at 908 IRR per Australian dollar. Now, it's more like 12,000 to one.
Mike comes from a well off family. His father is a helicopter pilot, his brother and sisters all went to university and went on to get good jobs. His mother was able to stay at home and keep house.
They're clearly a hardworking, intelligent bunch. In any other country, that would be enough.
But Mike is uneasy about his current situation.
I was surprised about how many Iranian students I found studying in Malaysia. There are two reasons, from what I can gather. The first is financial. Malaysian Universities are pretty cheap by world standards.
And while no-one actually said it, I get the feeling that Malaysia's standing as a modern Islamic nation has a bit to do with it's popularity as well.
(don't follow? Can you imagine doing an Australian O-week as a non-drinking muslim?)
Mike loves it here. He's made friends, and his studies are going well. His english is excellent.
But he's worried that he'll have to go home early.
His family isn't running out of money. They're not poor. The problem they face is a simple one of currency and exchange rates. Ten years ago, the Iranian Rial was selling at 908 IRR per Australian dollar. Now, it's more like 12,000 to one.
Their currency rates are on the borderline of being in freefall. None of the banks will exchange IRR for another currency, because no-one wants to be stuck holding the cash. It's a colossal game of hot potato.
This presents a major problem for Mike, because as an international student in Malaysia, he's not allowed to work. So he relies on funding from his family. And funding can't be sent if it can't be exchanged.
Time passed.
But I spoke to Mike again last week. He was back in Iran. Until the financial market changes, he's stuck there, with half a degree, in a country that may or may not be on America's future hit list.
Now any sort major conflict is a terrible idea. I would guess most people agree with me there.
But it's funny how news reports tend to desensitise you to the human side of international affairs.
It's funny how easy it is to think of a people, rather than a regime of being evil or dangerous. Even for a second.
But here was a regular guy, with regular dreams of career, family, wealth, you name it. With all of his prospects being dictated by the things you see at the end of the news.
I can come to grips with poverty affecting someones life. That makes sense.
But I'd never realised how something as inconsequential (in my eyes, at least) as nationality could interrupt someone's otherwise well laid out plans.
And now, it seems so obvious. I guess it's hard to understand until it hits you in the face.
First he's here, now he's not. Mike stuck in limbo, and no-one can tell him what his future holds.
This presents a major problem for Mike, because as an international student in Malaysia, he's not allowed to work. So he relies on funding from his family. And funding can't be sent if it can't be exchanged.
Time passed.
But I spoke to Mike again last week. He was back in Iran. Until the financial market changes, he's stuck there, with half a degree, in a country that may or may not be on America's future hit list.
Now any sort major conflict is a terrible idea. I would guess most people agree with me there.
But it's funny how news reports tend to desensitise you to the human side of international affairs.
It's funny how easy it is to think of a people, rather than a regime of being evil or dangerous. Even for a second.
But here was a regular guy, with regular dreams of career, family, wealth, you name it. With all of his prospects being dictated by the things you see at the end of the news.
I can come to grips with poverty affecting someones life. That makes sense.
But I'd never realised how something as inconsequential (in my eyes, at least) as nationality could interrupt someone's otherwise well laid out plans.
And now, it seems so obvious. I guess it's hard to understand until it hits you in the face.
First he's here, now he's not. Mike stuck in limbo, and no-one can tell him what his future holds.
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