Every year thousands of students from different parts of the world come in Australia to pursue higher studies in various fields, like engineering, science, management and medicines. Students from India, Pakistan, South Africa, Indonesia, China, and Malaysia, etc. As per the available statistics, in 2014-15, almost 4 million students were studying in different colleges and universities in Australia.
Significant challenges students face in Australia
Australia is an English speaking country. Students from different non-English speaking countries face different types of issues while staying in this country.
Some common problems students often face are as follows –
- Language barrier – It is one of the most apparent problems students face while studying in Australia. Since the majority of the students hail from non-English speaking countries, interacting with English speaking people in a social set-up and interacting with professors, and lecturers in the colleges or universities become a significant hurdle for the students. Knowing English is not sufficient; understanding Australian accent, use of words, lexical differences, ways people speak in a social set-up, etc. are also vital. So, habituating with colloquial English in Australia, and the Australian way of speaking and writing are the significant challenges for the non-English speaking students.
- Educational System – The educational system varies from country to country. Australia also has its unique educational system, calendar and style. Again in different field of studies, especially in professional streams, the Australian system of education does not match with the other countries education system. Understanding the system and then following that system is another major challenge for a student.
- Socio-cultural barrier - Students can feel lonely when they interact with people in a completely new culture. Australia is unique in many aspects. Though it is located in the eastern hemisphere of the world, It’s culture is entirely western. The students migrating from the USA and the UK may not feel any difference, but the students from other countries can experience a huge culture shock. This includes both physical and emotional embarrassment and maladjustment. Initially, they will not be able to resemble their own way of living with that of the country. Way of interacting, intermingling and socialising may have many dissimilarities in typical Australian society. They may feel homesickness, depression and stress. This obviously hampers their studies, and many students cut a sorry figure in the initial examinations. Returning back to home is also seen in many colleges and universities.
- Eating habit and Lifestyle – People in Australia eat and live differently from the people in China or South Africa. Naturally, students will not be able to cope up with the lifestyle for a few months initially. Habituating with the Australian lifestyle and Australian foods is essential to stay healthy. Thus, eating habit and Australian way of life may be major a challenge for the students coming from the developing nations.
These challenges are always distressing for the students, who are thousands of miles away from their native countries. They come here with a hope to get a prestigious degree, which will help them to become a successful student in their respective professions in future. Thus, these challenges are to be faced with a strong mentality and willingness to get acquainted with the new culture and language wholeheartedly.