Australia 
International Students AustraliaInternational Students Australia
FOREIGN STUDENTS’ EXPERIENCES
I left Kenya some time in 2002 in search of many things in Australia - one better education - more money and a brighter future. Getting my Visa was such a great joy; as I opened my passport and looked at the sealed stamp. It seemed like the almighty God had posted me a personal invitation.
I got on to the plane and to shorten my short. I soon realised life was not what I expected or did not measure up my personal expectations. I had to work extra hard for every single cent that I earned. Many-a-times forced by circumstances to work day and night.
My lecturer use to say that many of us foreign students are suppose to work part time but the truth is that we learn more hours than those employed fulltime.
That is probably the story with most foreign students around the globe in westernised countries. Whether you are in Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne the stories seem to follow a similar pattern for most foreign students.
My advice is always set your mind on one goal. If you want a university degree then let that be the number one priority. A Swahili proverb says, “He who wants everything gets nothing” Get your priorities right and pursue then relentless. The good things in life come at a price and that price often involves sacrifice. Your education is worth sacrificing for.
John O.
DOES A DEGREE MATTER?
When I was young my mother rubbed it on me, day and night about the importance of education. She had a dream of seeing her son wearing a gown as he graduated from university. Unfortunately my mother died before realising that dream A university degree has traditionally been viewed as the key to life worldwide. Unfortunately many that graduate with highly esteemed degrees find that the real world is not a bed of roses. They leap from one interview to another, from one job to another in search of greener pastures. For those that manage to get jobs they find that they use very little of what they learnt in school. In university they got the wrong impression that they were going to do “rocket science”.
Despite all the disappointments; a degree does matter. It greatly increases your chances of success in life. A graduate is more likely to get a well paying job. Much as a degree would not guarantee you your dream job but it does put you ahead of the lot. If you are considering a degree; get it from the best place and my bet is a South Australian university. No matter what part of the world you come from you will not only be welcome but will feel welcomed It will give you the opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds and culture. Australia is generally a multicultural country where you will people and very tolerant to each other.
