When University of Toronto exchange student John Ashbourne wrote “The Victorian Expansion into Asia…” as a piece for his university’s student paper, the last thing he expected was for his article to garner undue negative reactions from local netizens.

Ashbourne, who is currently on a year-long exchange programme in NUS, wrote on his perspective of life in Singapore and NUS.

In the article were several remarks about the local culture.

With regards to NUS, he commented on his views about the students during lectures and tutorials, as well as his experiences with the tutors in class. 

When it was first published in the University of Toronto’s "The Strand" on Dec. 30 last year, the article prompted a flurry of comments from both local and overseas netizens. 

The article generated a plethora of comments from Singaporean students that varied in nature and tone. Some responses were defensive and condemned the piece as being racist.

“Does he have a stereotype of what Asia should be like? So in his opinion, Asia should be all roti houses (or dumpling houses depending on where you are I guess) and migrant labourers? So a modern city like Tokyo wouldn't be Asia to the author?,” read one such comment.

The posts ranged from those that sought to clarify Ashbourne’s stance and engage him in meaningful debate, to those that resorted to the pure belligerence of “Hey, wanna fight?”

Some ended up trading personal attacks and a sense of rivalry emerged between students from NUS and the University of Toronto.

Many took offence with the way in which Ashbourne had portrayed NUS undergraduates.

They felt that Ashbourne gave the impression that students in NUS were merely good for cramming and rote learning out of books. 

“I'll give you my impression of Canadian students 'giving their opinions' - Its mostly crap whatever they 'say' in class. Like - saying for the sake of 'giving ur opinion'. When Canadian students have to produce quality work (instead of just talking), they are not up to it,” retorted a student who claimed to be from NUS. 

As of Feb. 17, the article had received 126 comments. The latest comment was posted on Jan. 23, about one month after the article was published.

No malice had in fact been intended by the article. 

According to Ashbourne, he had penned the article as a favour for his friend, an editor of "The Strand," a student-run newspaper published by the University of Toronto. 

In his words, the editor had requested for “a humorous piece” and had intended it to be part of a mocking travelogue for the newspaper.  

Indeed, for Ashbourne, the article had been meant to be witty and humorous. 

When The Observer contacted him, Ashbourne was clearly taken back by the comments made on his article.

“The article wasn't true in any sense, but a collection of stereotypes and jokes that I thought the students at home would find funny. 

“I certainly didn't set out to accurately describe Singapore or NUS, just to have a bit of fun,” he said. 

He apologised that “anyone mistook the article for an attack.”

“It felt awful to have offended so many people, especially in a place in which I have so enjoyed living,” he added. 

Nevertheless, not all NUS students took offence with the article. 

Some felt that the disparaging retorts to the article were uncalled for as it was written in a light-hearted manner. 

Fourth-year business student Kam Tai Tong said, “I believe the flaming is undeserved. The defensiveness in the comments, for me, reflects an inability to laugh at ourselves.”

“Surely, we recognise many of the references John makes as true. We're fine with joking about foreigners and their quirks. 

“I don't see why we shouldn't be fine with them doing the same,” added Kam, who said he had enjoyed reading the article. 

In Kam’s view, Ashbourne had essentially mastered the values of Singaporeans. 

He further added, “His article reflects that he has taken a sustained interest in Singapore and Singaporeans, and the angry responses in the comments section proves that he does know what makes Singaporeans tick.”

Appraising the article in a slightly different light was Khaliesah Bte Hatta, a third-year sociology major who admitted to feeling a tad defensive.

“I felt a little offended, because after all, he is talking about my country. But in the name of creative writing, I still totally support his article,” she said. 

Added Khaliesah, “I feel that the author has the right to say whatever he wants, and to present this article about Singapore this way makes people realise things that they have all along not been aware of.”

Khaliesah also pointed out that there are many elements of truth in Ashbourne’s article and had this to say to the Singaporean students who had reacted angrily. 

“Take it with a pinch of salt, people. It's not like he's making it all up,” she said. 

A correction has been made to this article on Feb. 27.

John Ashbourne is currently on a year-long exchange programme in NUS, not six months as previously reported.