The challenges for international students

Last Updated: 12 September 2008

Students attend an international education expo in Beijing. According to China's education ministry, over 100,000 Chinese go overseas to study every year. [AFP]

Students attend an international education expo in Beijing. According to China's education ministry, over 100,000 Chinese go overseas to study every year. [AFP]

Last year the Australian Government granted student visas to over 228,000 international students, competing in the lucrative international education market which has seen strong growth and increased competition in the US, UK and Asia.

In a series of reports, Radio Australia's Connect Asia looks at the challenges for international students in Australia and the changing landscape of studying overseas.

The rental competition

With high house prices and lots of rental competition, the challenge facing overseas students in finding a place to live can be overwhelming.

Kate McPherson reports Melbourne is currently home to over 11,000 international students, most coming from South and North East Asia.

Learning the language

When anyone settles in a new country where they don't speak the language, communication is a challenge.

But studying in that language is even harder, as Kate McPherson reports.

Loneliness and isolation

Studying in another country is an exciting opportunity - and few students expect the loneliness and isolation they can encounter.

Most tertiary institutions in Australia offer support for foreign students - but student lobby groups say more is needed - as Kate McPherson reports.

China becoming an education destination

China is now the sixth most popular destination for overseas students, according to a new survey by the Chinese Association of Science and Technology.

Lily Yan reports that it appears overseas students are increasingly keen to study in China, where degree costs are lower and facilities are good, Chinese universities are also eager to enrol more foreign students to boost their reputations.

Indian education visa concerns

Australia's colleges and universities are expressing concern over new immigration rules that could restrict the flow of students from India.