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 … Continue reading Heading/ed Home

Written by Jeffrey Shen, Sherry Zhang and Charlotte Wu A recent ongoing study from Straits Research has projected that the rapid growth of the luxury fashion market will continue to soar in popularity; with the likely potential of increasing its worth by close to $200B USD by the year 2031. And although many consumers of high end goods are young people, only a specific sub-section of this age group, international students, have taken a keen liking to these luxury brands. The never-ending obsession with fashion pieces from various designers including Gucci, Balenciaga, Off-White and Louis Vuitton, have raise a lot … Continue reading Status Symbol

Written by Heyden Guo, Cindy Li and Tianxin Xie A decision that could be considered a cultural phenomenon; adopting new names has the potential to drastically impact the lives of international students in many ways. While most students adopt new names when they move overseas; the few that stick with their given names usually have ones easier to pronounce. It is often difficult for teachers and other international students to get their names right; but of course, some stick to their given names despite this, as the names are often bestowed with a special meaning for the students. IS THIS … Continue reading What’s in a name?

Written by Yihang Zhang and Junyi Ma As a vibrant, multicultural city; Melbourne has quite the reputation for serving as a temporary home to thousands of international students every year. For international students studying in Australia, the geographical location of the southern hemisphere can to some degree create a vast sense of distance for students and their respective homelands. This often intensifies the level of homesickness they already feel being away from their loved ones, and such an illness can affect international students far beyond the bounds of national borders and unfamiliar cultures they find themselves in; far away from … Continue reading There’s No Place Like Home: Seeking Comfort Away from Home 

Written by Graciella Sum, Ryan Leung and Michelle SoMelbourne is a city known for its diverse culture and array of colourful experiences, particularly during the winter months.Bringing the most exciting and unusual adventures; winter in Melbourne is indeed very cold or at least for international students who are not used to the frosty weather conditions. The season is often filled with the warmest activities and coziest hideouts for people to enjoy. From delicious food and drinks to amazing, unforgettable places to visit, here is our guide to a toasty, cold season of winter. NATIONAL GALLERY OF VICTORIA180 St Kilda RoadMELBOURNE … Continue reading Stay Toasty!

Written by Changcheng Ma, Jiayi Guo, Yonghan Liu and Jiexi XiaoWelcome to a world of entertainment and laughter! In this not sponsored list, we dive into the realm of captivating variety shows, fascinating television series and cinematic masterpieces that are bound to raise your heart rate and keep your eyes glued open. From sidesplitting comedy to thought-provoking dramas, our selection shifts across genres, ensuring that there is something for everyone. Whether you are in the mood for a hearty dose of humor, a fascinating storyline, or a perfect blend of all, trust us – we have you covered. So, grab … Continue reading Currently Watching: the Top-top-tooop Tier List

Written by Junxi Guo, Jiacan Li and Tianxin Xie A decision that could be considered a cultural phenomenon; adopting new names has the potential to drastically impact the lives of international students in many ways. While most students adopt new names when they move overseas; the few that stick with their given names usually have ones easier to pronounce. It is often difficult for teachers and other international students to get their names right; but of course, some stick to their given names despite this, as the names are often bestowed with a special meaning for the students. There are … Continue reading What’s in a name?

Written by Charmi Jayminbhai Patel, Gweneth Wihardja, Helen Yang and Tianle Zhang Are you often worried about your personal sense of style and fashion? Have you ever woke up in wave of anxiety wondering if you overdid your outfit? Perhaps the color was too bright or the styled pieces were “too much” for school? The rules in fashion are deeper than a dictated dress code. Looks are the factor that often makes or breaks a first impression, despite the increasing value we place on judging a person by their personality first. But often, outer beauty is the only basis for … Continue reading Afraid to be out of fashion?

Written by Akiho Kurihara, Sean Xiao and Stella Hu On almost every corner around campus, it seems that students can always be spotted holding a cup of sweet bubble tea or a can of buzzing energy drinks. Perhaps this might be you or a friend you know; whose love for “liquid energy” is limitless. But “nobody ever wishes they’d slept more during college,”  a tagline used in a Red Bull advertisement targeted towards college students suggests that many university students drink the popular energy drink to stay awake. An example which underlines how popular the energy drink is among college … Continue reading Liquid Energy: the Dangers of Sugary Drinks