Karan Lokhandwala did not want to take money from his parents when he moved to Australia for studies. But it was not easy to survive without help.
He says, “Being matured and coming all the way from India; I did not want to take money from my parents. But, initially, it was not easy to manage basic needs. I had to restrain and make some compromises.”
Karan, who studied at UTS, had to work hard to get his first job. He says, “When I moved to Australia as a student, nobody was there to refer me for the casual jobs. Initially, I applied online and left my resumes at the receptions of various companies. But I had no Australian experience so received little response.”
The struggle was equally hard for, Nitish, another Indian student from Sydney University.
Giám đốc Universities Australia Catriona Jackson nói sinh viên nước ngoài cũng gặp khó khăn, nếu không nói là còn hơn sinh viên địa phương. Source: Getty Images
“The jobs are not well-paid. One has to work more than 20 hours to make ends meet. Sometimes, I had to skip my classes for the work. Every extra dollar helps,” says Nitish.
The students are having a tough financial time in Australian universities. The Universities Australia report has found about one in seven students in 2017 regularly went without food and other necessities because they could not afford them.
Karan worked as a salesperson and back of house staff, says that the number of students having a difficult time is beyond imagination.
“I know people who have been through tough times for financial reasons. Initial months are very tough,” says Karan.
The report has found the median annual income for full-time students is $18,300, with one-third of students estimating their living expenses exceeded their income. One in three students surveyed also said they regularly missed university lectures and classes because they had to work.
Nitish concurs with the Universities Australia report.
“I know so many students who work over 40 hours as the salary is very less. Exploitation is rampant, and students are suffering,” he says.
Abhijit Srivastava, secretary of UNSW Indian Society, meets many students having problems getting jobs.
"I have seen students who work in a cash in hands, over time, says Abhijit who meet distressed students regularly.
He says, "It's a real struggle finding work for international students. Even for local students, it is hard enough. And for international students, it is two folds because most companies look for candidates with local experience."
Abhijit suggests that government should make it easier for companies to hire international students.
Click above to listen to the full interview with Abhijit Srivastava.
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