ford91exploder
Resident Curmudgeon
I don't think it's being justified here. There is a cultural difference in the way cheating is viewed but that does not mean that it should be acceptable. I agree that people cheat because it's easy. But if it is not taboo/have repercussions, then more people will likely choose the easier way to get things done. My American students cheat all the time, but they try to be sneaky about it because they know it's not acceptable. My Chinese students who are studying abroad for the first time will not bother to try to hide their cheating because they assume no one will call them out for it, so it differs because in the U.S. they are held more accountable. I think that's the difference I was trying to point out. In my value system, anyone who cheats is wrong and needs to be educated about the honors system.
Precisely, And in my friend's case these are Masters and Doctoral candidates with undergraduate degrees from leading Chinese universities not frosh.