Australia is fortunate to have an excellent education system that can prepare Aussie students for an international career anywhere in the world without having to go to boarding school during secondary school or a non-English speaking university or tertiary college.
I have been working with newcomers from all backgrounds since 1999.
Young adults from collectivist cultures are regularly flown down under to study in Australia. Their hard working parents have sacrificed their hard earnt money to give their children the chance of a lifetime. These international students without much life experience, coping skills or even resilience, are sent to an alien nation speaking an alien language in an alien secular and individualistic culture.
Is it any wonder that they do not adjust well?
Aussies might be prepared for this type of experience in secondary school with a short international exchange with a carefully selected family in a cosy American family or a fancy European one. International students in Australia are at the mercy of con artists, other naïve students and individuals after a quick buck. Some are even ‘captured’ at the airport by young people speaking the same language who quickly earn their trust and take them down a deceptive path.
International students have also attracted their fare share of media coverage this year. Alone, unconnected and living on very low incomes, it is easy to see that they are perfect candidates for a pity party; either their own or as part of their collective ethnic group.
What will it take to enable these young and vulnerable students to make the most of their opportunity to study in Australia?
- A warm welcome on arrival.
- Good quality advice, staggered in order of necessity over the first three months.
- Mentors, supporters and extended family substitutes in our community.
- Access to confidential support services.
- More opportunities to mix with other students from different backgrounds and different educational institutions.
- Cheaper living expenses (including public transport in all states of Australia).
- Budgeting advice.
- Settlement advice (how to make new connections, how to access information and support).
- Safety advice (so they can live safely and feel safe).
- Cultural advice (so they can understand our social norms and can also seek their own familiar ethnic groups).
The City of Melbourne has been hosting ‘Welcome Events’ for International Students and is now working with
Newcomers Network and the
Salvation Army International Student Centre to host the first ever ‘Farewell Party’ for international students. Ceremonies and events like these ease the transition for international students and give them the important opportunity to meet and support one another in a friendly and welcoming environment (this inaugural event is free and food is supplied).
There are still more ways that our community can help international students and new arrivals enjoy their life in Australia. For too long international students have been viewed as a ‘cash cow’ for our economy but they are also lonely, sometimes resorting to prostitution to be able to eat, finding themselves homeless when their money runs out and forced to face certain ridicule from their family if they cannot cope and return to their home country without their qualification.
As a first world nation, it is up to all of us to be friendly towards newcomers. We will not survive without them, their value to our economy is very significant. But can we really go about our daily life knowing full well that they have lonely hearts, lonely lives and often a sub standard existence? If our children were living overseas, would we want the local community to support them?
Start by talking to them, listening to them and recognising their achievements. Would you have been brave enough at 18 to leave Australia and live in a tribe in Africa and study in another language? You have to admire their guts to even step on the plane. When it is time for them to return, let’s take a few moments to wish them farewell; they have overcome the biggest challenge in life, the unknown, without one familiar face when they arrive to support them.
The innaugrual Farewell Party for International Students in Melbourne hosted by the Salvation Army, the City of Melbourne and Newcomers Network will be held Wednesday 28 October 2009, 6-8pm, at The Couch, International Student Centre, 65 Bourke Street, Melbourne.
Everyone Welcome!
Photos and further information to be posted after the event.
Sue Ellson BBus AIMM MAHRI, is the Founder and Director of Newcomers Network, a Supporter of Diverse Australia Program, Convenor of the International Human Resources Management Specialist Area with the Australian Human Resources Institute and a member of the Victorian Community Committee for Harmony affiliated with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Diverse Australia Program Harmony Dayheld on 21 March. Sue Ellson first started supporting the Australian Government’s Living in Harmony initiative back in 2003. With the change of government, it has been changed to the ‘Diverse Australia Program.’ With humble beginnings 10 years ago, these programs have had a focus on reducing racism. Sue is pleased to see the new direction towards the key message of ‘Everyone Belongs.’
