Michaela and Other Stories on Financial Corruption .
Problems in higher education have always existed with the difference that they were less obvious. Nepotism was normal before the 20th century, and offering the professors extra money for a favor' to be done in regards of a student was called politeness' and gratitude. Now they all merge to become one issue, corruption. The change is due to competition. Competition increased as public universities began to be established, and education became a global right not a luxury for the rich. The whole bribery question could be best answered through the Italian education system, since Italy is the country known for keeping its corruption traditions untouched (other than culinary and artistic). Now, let me tell you a nice tale (maybe true, maybe not), about the entrance exams for an Italian medical school. Financial corruption in medical schools are the most frequent, since they have the hardest admission exams, and rarely students major in less than eight years. Ready? OK, lay back and listen.
Michaela is a 19 year old Italian girl, from an ill reputed town in southern Italy. She's got to get out of there and move to the north, where the quality of life is better, and where she can pursue a good career. So Michaela applies to the Medical School of Pisa, the best in Italy, the most prestigious and selective. There is a small detail however: Most of the students that will attend the admission exams are all sons and daughters of prominent doctors with so much of Ph.D. and other titles. Michaela is an orphan of an ER medic, and has high chances of not being able to pass the exam, as she is not as privileged as most of her peers: Her peers are privileged money- wise and have much influence. But lo! Michaela has a wonderful grandfather, who, understanding his granddaughter's situation, decides to "ask a favor- to the faculty, and buys Michaela's admission.
