Written by Mei Minami, Carrie Ngai, Jaycee Jiang and Undramjargal Buyanjargal

Stick around or head home? In a survey we conducted with international students in Melbourne, nearly 50% of students planned to stay in Australia post-graduation, but why?

As one of the most popular study destinations for students seeking quality tertiary education, the amount of international students heading to Melbourne in recent years has begun to resemble the city’s pre-COVID popularity. However, recent reports about new policies coming from the Department of Home Affairs has revealed that the Australian federal government have announced intentions to increase visa rejections in a bid to identify genuine international students and filter out high risk providers; risking at their reputation as a popular study destination.

Yet, over the last twenty years, Australia has seen an increase of almost 400,000 students, with students from Asia, specifically India and China growing rapidly in numbers. These international have contributed a whopping 25 billion of the 29 billion Australian dollars into the education sector in 2022 and are an irreplaceable presence within Australian universities. Their capacity to bring depth and enrichment to the learning experience has continued to be beneficial both for local students and international students themselves, emphasising their indicative value to the nation.

IT’S A WHOLE NEW WORLD
As an attempt to understand these perspectives, seeking answers from international students in Melbourne centred around the advantages of studying abroad, particularly in terms of independence and adjusting to new culture.

“Studying abroad offers a plethora of benefits as it allows students to immerse themselves in different cultures, fostering a broader perspective and understanding of the world,” notes an 18-year-old international student from Malaysia, who – representative of most students views on the matter, expressed that studying abroad has allowed them to broaden their perspectives. In interacting with wider society, students immerse themselves into new cultural environments; forming new experiences with international friends who would help them to develop independently as an individual.

However, this would not be without some drawbacks as it is not uncommon for international students to wrestle with homesickness and grapple with a sense of loss connection to friends and community back home. Similarly, arriving in Australia had some students struggling in areas like expenses, language barriers and racial discrimination, but still – growing pains, right?

Renowned for having many universities and educational institutions held at high-esteem, the educational landscape of Australia is another strong point that draws prospective students to their practical, industry-oriented approach which often places a lot of emphasis on creativity and critical thinking. “Australian universities offer a much higher quality of tertiary education compared to her home country. Therefore, it is a common pathway for Malaysian students who have freshly graduated high school,” Leisha continues.

Other students underlined the overall accessibility of the Victorian state capital of Melbourne, highlighting how general noteworthy factors including the relative smoothness of public transport, healthcare and safety were big reasons for their decisionmaking around moving to the city to pursue their studies.

AND THE CHALLENGES?
Although Melbourne can provide international students with a rewarding educational experience, many participants found the process of moving to a whole other country challenging. Similarly, many young students experienced substantial feelings of homesickness within the first few years of them studying abroad.

Additionally, many students feel the pressure to do well academically, as the combined costs of living and tuition expenses in Australia are substantially higher than in a lot of prominent Asian countries; feeding into international students’ need to excel in their studies and meet the expectations of their families. Jia, an 18-year-old student from China delved into her recent experiences of studying in Melbourne. Studying abroad for Jia has broadened her perspectives, but in return; she experienced feelings of homesickness and considerable amounts of stress as a result of her unfamiliarity with Australia’s education system. For Leisha, the additional challenge of not being physically present for her family in sickness laid on another layer of strain.

Out of 21 survey participants, the majority expressed an interest to remain in Melbourne post-graduation. This can be attributed to the general, positive ambiance of Melbourne; providing many international students with the possibility of fulfilling living experiences and more job opportunities. Having a high income was prioritised by many participants as the average salary in Australia was generally higher compared to many of the countries that these students hailed from. This reinforces the fact that most international students have a set path they intend to follow when they complete their undergraduate degree.

However, few did voice their desire to explore other countries beyond down under and travel around the world. Considered a reward, taking time off or a “gap” year after graduation is an alluring prospect for these students to prepare themselves before entering a new phase of their life in the industrialised world. Unlike those who chose to remain in Melbourne, they possess a determination to travel as a means of prioritising their personal wellbeing and seeking self-satisfaction.


WHERE TO FROM HERE?
By enjoying the present moment of their limited youth, the idea of expanding their horizons before confronting the likelihood of a mediocre job in the office is a pointed area of concern. On the other hand, the remaining students simply expressed that they were more likely to reunite with their families after their tertiary education and spend more time back home in their respective country. The desire to reconnect with their community meant compensating for the years they’ve lost living away.

Overall, the value of studying overseas is reflected in the priorities that international students place on the varying aspects of their lives. From income to family and travel, the promise of a quality education, good job opportunities and diverse social events is what continues to draw students to Melbourne. Staying in the city for the long-term and investing in that future reinforces that Melbourne can provide international students with an enriching, well-rounded experience that they can benefit from; making it one of the most popular destinations for students to settle into.