I refer to the Malaysiakini article 'You'll be right, mate,' so says the Aussie to foreign students .

I was the International Student Representative at the University of Wollongong last year, and I got complaints of harassment from time to time. Most of these involved flying objects, but a few (including mine) were verbal.

When interviewed by the ‘Illawarra Mercury', on the issue, I made it clear that although international students were concerned, and to some extent, outraged, I couldn't say the harassment was racially motivated.

Until I can compare the numbers between domestic and international students who were harassed in this manner, I would never know for sure.

Unfortunately, these particular comments did not made it to press, even though I repeated them in a follow-up call to the newsroom to check if the report was being ‘sensationalist'.

On the other hand, the Illawarra Committee for International Students (ICIS) runs a number of excellent programmess from its tiny office. These are aimed at helping international students settle down and feel comfortable interacting with members of other social groups.

We had a hard time attracting domestic students, but had enthusiastic response from local retirees and working adults, as well as students from China, India, Switzerland, Germany, Iran, and of course, yours truly from Malaysia.

As has been pointed out, I find Australians in general to be very hospitable. It will take more than just a few bad apples to ruin the experience of my brief stay Down Under.

As a side note, the Malaysian student group at the University of Wollongong is known as Malaysian Association for Students.

The Malaysian Students Association is based at Macquarie University, a little too far to join us for BBQs on our fantastic beaches.

However, Aug 31 is usually celebrated in Sydney, even for Malaysian students as far south as Wollongong and as far north as Newcastle.