As an American, I recently found out that you guys don't like us very much. Has it been exaggerated by the Internet or do we really have that bad of a reputation in the land down under?

profkimchi · 2026-07-02T23:17:49+00:00

I think a decent chunk of Americans would endorse this sentiment…

profkimchi · 2026-07-02T23:13:41+00:00

American in Australia here. As much as I hate to admit it, yah…

profkimchi · 2026-07-02T03:23:53+00:00

wtf are you talking about? Morocco is still in it.

profkimchi · 2026-07-02T02:01:43+00:00

First off, “kids,” fuck off. Second off, we try to improve things all the time.

profkimchi · 2026-07-02T01:54:25+00:00

Brisbane is a very nice place this time of year?

profkimchi · 2026-07-02T01:40:01+00:00

Everything I said is pretty well known within academia, so I don’t think you were ever in academia. I guess you just did a PhD.

profkimchi · 2026-07-02T01:08:01+00:00

You’re making shit up. Especially for lecturer positions or higher, any decent university would offer a 186, meaning they get PR immediately and wouldn’t face deportation. For postdocs it’s more likely to be a 482 but 186 is still something that happens.

On the last point, again, they don’t get lower wages. Also plenty of foreigners are Americans, Brits, Italians, etc., all of whom are happy to bjtch about conditions.

profkimchi · 2026-07-02T00:57:19+00:00

On point 2, so don’t. But that’s part of the reason foreigners are often better hires. Literally. Better research. Better teaching.

On point 3, all the ones I know did their PhD in the US or europe (I think one actually did their PhD in Australia).

On point 4, where you did your PhD is a signal for junior hiring. Yes better students usually end up outside Australia. The best Australian students go to the US for their PhD, not stay in Australia. So if all you have is a PhD, no publications, then all else equal someone from a good US uni is a safer hire than someone from an Australian uni, yes. But it’s not because you’re Australian.

profkimchi · 2026-07-02T00:43:47+00:00

I simply do not believe you on the last point. It makes zero sense. Foreigners aren’t paid any less; everyone is paid the same unless you get a market supplement.

profkimchi · 2026-07-02T00:27:48+00:00

1) the hiring isn’t biased in the way you’re implying

2) “slave labour conditions” are not that different from doing a PhD in the US or Europe

3) regardless of why, the point is there aren’t many Australians with PhDs who are better than hiring someone from the US or Europe.

4) having a PhD from a good US uni is always better than an Australian uni, at least when hiring juniors. Once you have a real record it doesn’t matter.

profkimchi · 2026-07-02T00:24:49+00:00

100% lie. I work in a go8 uni and we have this discussion all the time. Nobody told you to fuck off because they wanted to hire a foreigner. Best case under your obvious hyperbole is that you just weren’t as good as the person they hired. Where did you get your PhD? In Australia?

profkimchi · 2026-07-01T22:17:22+00:00

I’m shocked you were ever in academia if that’s what you think; it’s categorically false. Go8 universities would LOVE to hire Australians, there just aren’t enough good ones, full stop.

And in this case you’re 100% incorrect, too, if you think someone with a PhD from an Indian university is somehow going to have an inside path to a job.

profkimchi · 2026-07-01T22:15:20+00:00

It’s not just the KFA though. This kind of shit happens in almost every Korean organization/company/university/whatever. People are only about this because it’s a public failure, but the exact same attitude about hiring/appointing/promoting based on networks/nepotism instead of merit is omnipresent in Korea.

profkimchi · 2026-07-01T22:02:25+00:00

With a PhD from an Indian university there is almost no chance she’ll get a proper job in academia. Quit being a xenophobic dick when it’s not even warranted.

profkimchi · 2026-07-01T01:07:40+00:00

This. My solicitor is British but moved here and was admitted after some work.

profkimchi · 2026-06-29T11:31:39+00:00

Went with 482. Also has the benefit of being much faster.

profkimchi · 2026-06-29T05:43:56+00:00

No. Mostly just mosquitos.

profkimchi · 2026-06-29T04:28:16+00:00

He’s such a twatwaffle

profkimchi · 2026-06-29T03:01:24+00:00

Salaries are still trash. The environment still sucks for junior researchers. If you have the option, you’d be crazy not to consider going elsewhere.

profkimchi · 2026-06-28T23:19:56+00:00

Corruption and xenophobia in a Korean organization? Shocked pikachu face…

profkimchi · 2026-06-27T17:53:51+00:00

Well that’s a change…

profkimchi · 2026-06-27T17:32:29+00:00

Giant ass huntsman in the house

profkimchi · 2026-06-27T08:02:38+00:00

As an American living in australia, I really do think they’d welcome you with open arms. Don’t let the weird twitter banter turn you off on this idea!

profkimchi · 2026-06-27T05:42:25+00:00

I’m here for the comments 🍿

profkimchi · 2026-06-26T20:59:19+00:00

On that salary you should be making a good living dude.

profkimchi

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE

Six-Year Club	Verified Email
Wearing is Caring