99 Problems Faced by International Students in Australia
Home to some of the finest institutes of the world, Australia is a famous destination for both tourists and international students. The fine quality of education that the universities here bestow on their students attracts thousands of students from all around the world every year. But is it that easy when it comes to spending time as a student in Australia? Like any other country, there are different issues that moving to Australia may present before a student. Knowing all this beforehand is the smart thing to do and can help you prepare for what is about to come. There are many international students who want to travel and gain higher education in Australia but they do not find it that easy. There are different issues that usually come up. After all, the life of an international student is never too easy.
Here, we present to you 99 problems that are faced by international students studying in Australia:
- Financial problems
Financial problems are the biggest problem that students face. There are many students who want to study in Australia but it’s always a good idea to assess the financial condition against the demands that moving there can pose.
- Currency difference
The currency of Australia is the Australian Dollar which is stronger than many, especially that of many Asian countries. This difference in currency strengths further adds to the financial strain.
- Lack of Support
It’s a common problem for international students to not get enough support from their friends and families or at least feel so. This is especially true for students who arrive from far ends of the world.
- High cost of education
Although this can be subjective and vary from student to student, studying in Australia can be highly costly, especially for someone who does not come from a well-off background. For such students, many problems can arise.
- The fear of being too far
Australia is situated in the southern hemisphere and also in a fairly exclusive part of the world. This can make it difficult for students to adapt to the country quickly.
- Costly travel
As Australia is far, the most preferred way of travel would be through airplanes and less probably it will be through the sea. The cost of flights can also add to the financial troubles of a student looking to study in Australia.
- Monthly expenses
Monthly expenses constitute one of the biggest problems faced by students as in every activity they do, they have to handle costly expenses of Australia if they have to live comfortably.
- High education fees
People go to Australia to study as the quality of education is great but the price of education is costly as a good university will charge around 20,000 AUD per year for the education, which is huge for someone from Asia.
- Food habits
At times, when you are staying alone far away from your home, you can encounter situations where you need to cook. If you’re missing this life skill, your stay can be a bit difficult. If you are staying with a friend, it could be fun but not when alone. Also, there are different types of food in Australia that would be new for an international student anyway.
- Expensive dining joints and eateries
If students don’t want to cook, that’s also understandable, only if they can handle the expensive prices of everyday food. The minimum cost of food in Australia is around 100 AUD per week which can go to around 400 AUD.
- Hotels are costly
Students may need to find a hotel if they have to stay in Australia at the starting of their arrival. It costs around 300-500 AUD to rent a one-bedroom flat which is costly for many students.
- Difficult to find a flat to stay
Finding a place to reside is difficult. Students just can’t stay in hotels for a long time if they are not offered accommodation by their institute. So they have to find their personal accommodation. But like hotels, flats are also costly. It is also difficult to find a flat which is safe and good to reside in.
- Commuting issues
If you don’t have a vehicle in Australia, it will be difficult for you to travel as there are many places where we have to travel through metros, trams, trains, buses, etc. Although comfortable, this can add to your monthly expenses quite a bit.
- Problems in house chores
Since you won’t own the place where you live, you’ll have to clean it on a daily basis which can be very difficult for students as most students are busy with studies and part-time jobs. So they don’t find the time to do these chores and it becomes a big problem.
- Time-Management problem
There are many international students who start doing different part-time jobs in their free time so that they can handle the expenses. Due to this, they get busy and have very little free time and that is the reason they always face problems in time management.
- Difference in the education system
Moving to another country will obviously bring changes. Adapting to a new educations system can be quite a challenge.
- Different degree system
Like in different countries, you get a degree after four years in most of the courses. However, in Australia, you get a degree after just three years. The best approach would be to plan accordingly.
- Different patterns of study
As for every country, there is a specific pattern of study. If you’re used to something specific, adjusting to something new can be quite a challenge.
- Divided courses
In Australia, maximum courses are divided into weeks and hours, which could be new and confusing at the start for a lot of students.
- Fast pace of education
As for an outsider, it can be difficult to keep up with the pace of the study and give rise to several issues.
- Vast syllabus
As the education system is one of the best, the syllabus of the courses is usually vast and extensive, which can be too much for many students to handle.
- Expensive Study materials
As the syllabus is vast, so there would be a lot of books that a student has to buy for the studies. The books would be costly if the student is studying in a good college.
- Language barriers
This problem is one of the biggest problems, especially for students who do not speak the native tongue fluently.
- Difficulty in studies
If students can’t understand English even a little bit, it can obviously lead to gaps in their understanding of concepts and they won’t be able to grasp things that are taught.
- Difficulty in regular communication
If some students are not able to understand and speak fluently, then there will obviously be barriers in daily communication as well.
- Difficulty in getting jobs due to language barriers
If there will be miscommunication in a student’s daily life, then it will lead to a high chance of not getting a job in Australia.
- English being the common language of Australia
English is the most spoken language in Australia which leads to a problem if you come from a nation that does not share this language. If you don’t have a clear understanding of English, then it will be very difficult to communicate with the natives.
- Costly for Outsiders
It is not uncommon for native shopkeepers and vendors to leverage international students’ unawareness and charge unreasonable prices.
- Difficult to find places
As Australia is a vast country it will take time for students to adjust to their whereabouts and be comfortable.
- Encountering new cuisines
There will be a lot of differences in food for the students and they will have to eventually develop new eating habits.
- Fighting Loneliness
Moving to a new country will obviously require the students to deal with loneliness at times.
- Inability to feel safe
Australia is a safe country but still, the unfamiliar surroundings can lead to the students not feeling at home and safe.
- Finding friends
Finding friends in a faraway place is an important thing but the students often encounter problems in getting to know new people.
- Finding the right groups
Unfamiliar customs and surroundings can lead to international students being unable to find the right groups of people around them.
- Handling responsibilities
As students are far away from their homes, there are many responsibilities that arise which take up a chunk of their time.
- Having a good lifestyle
Since international students have to live under financial constraints, having a good lifestyle or maintaining the one that they already had can become difficult at times.
- Finding a way to earn
There are many ways to earn but students are always confused about the path that they should choose.
- Finding a Job
Finding a job in an unknown country is obviously a little more difficult as compared to your native one. There are different challenges that one encounters.
- Starting a Business
If the student wants to start a business, it would be difficult as it is literally an unknown territory to them.
- Learning the new Accent
Every country has its own accent for the language. Learning it to feel at home can be another challenge.
- Understanding the Australian English
Australian accent is famous for being a bit difficult to pick up quickly. People in Australia speak English faster which can cause the students to take a long time to get used to it.||
- Getting a PR in Australia
If students want to stay in the country for work, it takes time to apply for a PR and is also difficult.
- Spiders can be a problem
Australia is also famous for Spiders but they can also trouble the students.
- Dust issues
As Australia is a sandy place, and hence, dust can be a daily-life problem.
- Heating Summer
Students often encounter extremely sweaty summers and find it difficult to adjust at first.
- Cold Winters
Like sweaty summers, winters are equally freezing and chilling.
- Clothes- another expense
For winter students would need heavy warm jackets, which could add to the expenses for somebody living in Australia.
- Glasses – always for summers
As Australia heats so much, glasses should be worn when outside, which can be a bit unusual for some students.
- Heavy rainfall monsoon
If you’re planning to study in Australia, pack an umbrella. Although subjective, such a rainy season can be a problem for many students.
- Snowfall
As it is a freezing winter, snowfall is most time falling on the lands of Australia.
- Spider webs in winter
In winters, students are most likely to find spider webs outside their houses every day
- Changing weather
The weather in Australia is always changing, which is something that can take time to adjust to.
- Illnesses in changing weather
Because of the unforeseeable and quick changes in the weather, catching a cold every now and then can be common.
- Sandflies in Autumn
Sandflies or biting midges is another thing that students may have to encounter in this country.
- Retail outlets close at 5 or 6 pm
Unlike many countries, shops in Australia close around 5-6 pm in many areas. So, if you’re someone who likes to run errands late at night, you’ll have to change.
- Doctors charge extra after 6 pm
Doctors in Australia charge extra if you are late.
- Speed limit 40km/h in the city
For many students, this speed limit can come as a surprise, especially for the ones coming from Asia.
- Risky sunburn
The clear skies can be appealing but can also give you sunburns if you’re not cautious.
- Having a social conversation with strangers
To better understand the country social conversation is important, but it can be difficult to initiate it with unknown pedestrians on the street.
- Having good relations with neighbors
This is also an important task for a student who is living on their own, but can be quite a challenge for introverted students.
- Difficult to adjust with weather conditions
Weather is always changing here, so it is difficult to adjust to weather conditions here.
- Social Networking can a problem
Social networking is always a problem for international students. In fact, it is perhaps a challenge that stays constant, irrespective of the destination you choose.
- Car registration is expensive
It costs around 800 AUD for car registration. So, if you’re looking to own a car, think again.
- 4 kinds of weather in a single day.
Sometimes in Australia, students can see 4 kinds of weather in a single day which is a big problem.
- Entry-level jobs demand experience
You can encounter advertisements for entry-level jobs that will require you to have experience.
- Maintaining your physical health
Physical health for students is important but the change in environment can lead to its deterioration.
- Maintaining Mental health
Students have to stay alone, so it is also important to maintain their mental health. If not taken care of, the loneliness can compound into depression.
- Assignments and Projects
Studying in Australia demands a lot out of you. Maintaining pace with the frequency of projects and assignments is no joke.
- Doing group works
Finding the right group can be quite a task in itself, especially for international students.
- Possible discrimination in Jobs
Not that Australia is known for this, but it’s always a good idea to factor in the possibility of workplace discrimination.
- Racial discrimination at different places
Like jobs, there is a possibility of students getting discriminated against at different places like retail stores which can cause a problem for the students.
- Different customs
This is something that students are likely to face, no matter what country they choose to go to.
- Different confusing slangs
Australia, like any other country, would pose this challenge for the students. The local language and slangs can be difficult to understand for an international student.
- Multicultural society
Australia has a multicultural society and it can become too much to adjust to for somebody who has come from across an ocean.
- A diverse population
This diversity adds to the customs and traditions. Getting used to such a diverse set of customs is not easy.
- Food traditions from different countries
Australia has food traditions that come from different. This can pose a delightful but life-changing challenge.
- Adjusting to independent learning
Not like many countries, independent learning is supported in Australia. This can be something new for many international students.
- Harassment at work
There are many students who come from different countries and are of different colors. At times, it can lead to them facing slight harassment.
- A different society
Getting used to the ways of a new society is perhaps the biggest challenge that moving to Australia for education poses.
- Homesickness
As many students would be staying alone, facing a problem like homesickness is nothing but expected.
- Visa problems
This is something that students usually encounter before moving abroad. However, if you’re not cautious enough of our visa conditions, it can be troublesome for you.
- Difficulty in finishing courses due to work
The projects and assignments can be too much to handle at times. Many students get so much busy at work that they find it difficult to finish their course
- Less salary for international students
You can find differences in the salary paid to international students and native ones for the same job, at times.
- No overtime salary
At work, many international students are not paid for the overtime.
- Financial stress
Because of the disparity in salaries, the financial stress can get compounded.
- Finding comfort in everyday life
A new society, coupled with assignments and projects, can pose unforeseen challenges for students everyday.
- Visa subclass issues
It is necessary that you continue to fulfill all the requirements of your visa. Also, it’s a good idea to apply for renewal at least 3 months before the expiry.
- Stress & Anxiety
Common stress is usual for a student but for an international student, the cultural shock coupled with stress can be problematic.
- Getting adjusted with study pattern
This is always a big challenge for international students as there are several changes to adjust to.
- Problem in engaging in voluntary activities
Many introverted international students can find it extremely difficult to engage in voluntary activities.
- Difficulty in getting Internships
International students always find it difficult to get internships and can miss out on opportunities.
- Job denials
Students get many job denials as they are not natives which increases financial problems for them.
- Living independently
Living independently is fun but is also a challenge for non-native students.
- Difficulty in exams
As the study pattern is different, students find it difficult to adjust to the exams, especially in the initial days.
- Without a residency, no professional job
Without a residency, no one can have a professional job. A condition like this can obviously be a serious challenge.
- Getting a well-paying job
Getting a well-paid job to decreases financial stress is difficult as there is a lot of competition.
- Admission criteria
Usually, the admission criteria are difficult to pass. Without the correct guidance, the international students may encounter several problems.
- Difficulty in English proficiency test
During the application process, this test can be a serious threat to the admission prospects.
- Switching to a different course
It is common among students to switch to another course but is equally difficult for international students.
- Documentations
As students need many documents to study in a secure country like Australia, sometimes problems arise when there are fewer documents available to an international student.
So, these are a wide range of problems faced by international students in Australia. There are many more points but these important points may help you prepare for your stay in this country.
