Almost 600,000 International Students Enrolled In Australia Last Year; Meet The Guy Lending A Helping Hand

This post is presented in partnership with CQUniversity.

In 2014, close to 600,000 international students were enrolled in Australia.

A decade ago, that number was closer to 300,000.

It’s no surprise our institutions are becoming more and more attractive to expats. In April, Australia was named the “world’s number one” for new universities by the Times Higher Education. Later in the year, on their ranking of the 100 best unis on the globe, Australia managed six placings.

But what becomes of the emigrating students seeking a better education down under, only to find themselves isolated from their family and the only life they’ve ever known back home?

CQUniversity Sydney graduate Shivi Bhalla hopes to lend a hand with his new book, Studying in Australia.

Originally from India, Shivi came to Australia in 2010 and completed his Bachelor of Accounting degree in 2012. Two months after finishing his studies, he received a permanent residency.

However, he confessed to Student Edge that he encountered difficulties during his early days in Oz.

“Home sickness was definitely one of the biggest challenges I faced,” he said.

“I have my sister here and quite a few uncles as well, but the whole experience was so much new. Everything was so different when I came, compared to my home country. Definitely it was a big challenge.

“I used some of those tips, in my book, on how to feel and make Australia home.”

Though Shivi understands there are some quarters that don’t take kindly to international students, he personally didn’t confront any such obstacles.

“We had heard about some of the unrest that was going on between international students and the local community in Australia, but I honestly never felt that way,” he explained.

Instead, it was the internal struggle that was most difficult to overcome, like that persistent feeling of homesickness.

Also, learning to adjust to the Australian accent was its own hurdle.

“Basically, the accent was very new,” he laughed.

“It was really tough to understand people sometimes. I did go through some really hard times when I was in a customer service role and I just couldn’t understand what the other person was saying, especially in the initial days when I started working.

“But I didn’t give up. I thought, ‘Well, the only way is to face the fear and just keep going.’ So here I am, happy to face the challenges.”

After graduation, Shivi went on to found English Wise, an institute that helps coach international students in the English language.

He’s also gone on to teach Accounting and Business classes at his alma mater.

“I was teaching students from 20 to 25 nationalities,” he said.

“When I was a student myself at CQUniversity, there were students from different backgrounds and different countries. We definitely had the opportunity to interact and learn what their experience was.

“What really happens is a lot of us have some really strong beliefs and we often see things from our viewpoint, but when you interact with people from so many nationalities and backgrounds, you start respecting other peoples’ views and how other people think.”

He’s now excited to launch Studying in Australia and help the increasing number of incoming international students.

“It was a different world for me when I came here," he reiterated.

"I respect every international student who is in Australia, because I think they’ve already taken a really big step in coming out of their comfort zone. That’s my encouragement: that they’ve already done something really amazing, and it’s just about going that little bit more out of their comfort zone. The future is exciting.”

Photo supplied by CQUniversity.

Open up your universe and consider a degree at CQUniversity, just like Shivi. For more information, go to cqu.edu.au