By Yasmin Khushairi, 3482461
As I walk every day to and fro university along Swanston Street in the heart of Melbourne CBD, I sometimes do not feel like I’m in Australia. In fact, I am in Hong Kong, South Korea, Indonesia and many other places that I have never even set foot before. That is because most of the people I see walking past me are foreigners from students with huge bag packs to tourists in puffer jackets and ear muffs on a 16-degree weather.
Restaurants in the city showcase all types of cuisines ranging from Asian such as Korean, Japanese and Chinese to Europe such as Greek, French and Italian.
These foreign cuisines, however, are not only enjoyed by their people but also local Australians since Australian cuisines are almost non-existent.
Australia has become a culturally diverse country today giving opportunities to foreigners to study and find jobs here. In 2015, a total of 483 090 people have migrated to Australia. And in terms of education, there are a total of 493 680 International students in Australia so far in 2016. That figure has seen 11% of increase compared to the same period last year.
Australia is the third most popular study destination for international students despite having just over 24 million populations to date. Being an international student myself, I am not surprised by that fact.
Chart 1
Chart 1 shows a total of 602 313 year-to-date international students enrolment in 2016 in all sectors including Higher Education, VET, ELICOS, Schools and Non-Award.
[infogram id=”7724c24c-df82-4a3b-8bcb-1d020373d3c9″]
Chart 2
Chart 2 shows the pattern of international students commenced and enrolled in Higher Education alone. To date, a total of 292 540 students enrolled in 2016.
So what makes Australia a popular destination to study for people from all over the world?
Personally for me, Australia has always been my number one choice because of its affordability, world class education system and the tolerant and polite people.
My fellow international friends agree.
Amir Ashraf, a student from Malaysia came to Melbourne to further his studies in Bachelor in Civil Engineering after completing his diploma says “we do not get this kind of quality education in my country.”
For Ashraf, the knowledge he gets at university and while also experiencing foreign culture has given him the exposure he would never have attained living in home country.
Furthermore, Charlotte Wang from China, who is currently undergoing Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media at RMIT University is impressed at the quality of education here and studying in Australia has been worth it. “We actually use the knowledge we learn in class at workplace,” says Wang.
Sofiyya Sabri, another Malaysian student at Monash University currently studying Bachelor in Health Sciences says the diversity in culture that Australia has that is similar to Malaysia makes it easier for her to adapt.
“Australians are more tolerant and accepting of other faiths and races which makes me feel safe and at home,” adds Sabri, who is practicing the Muslim faith.
Dian Mashita, from Indonesia, an Architecture student at University of Melbourne agrees with Sabri and adds Australia has more lenient post-study working opportunity.
With eight out of 100 top universities in the world are Australian and five out of 30 best student cities in the world are in Australia (www.studyinaustralia.gov.au), it is no surprise foreigners choose Australia to start the journey of their lives and call Australia home.
