International students are lonely and vulnerable in Australia, according to Allianz’s State of Student Healthcare Report, which was discussed at the PIE Live Asia Pacific in the Gold Coast this week.
Surveying nearly 800 international students, the report uncovered alarming statistics:
- 77 per cent of international students have reported loneliness in the last 12 months.
- Two-thirds found it challenging to find a place to live in the last 12 months.
- 55 per cent of international students are considered vulnerable.
But perhaps, students are not alone.
During the discussion at the PIE, we heard from a range of players in the sector, including Peter Burnheim, COO at Sonder, a safety, health and wellbeing platform.
“The student experience is a reflection of what’s happening in society in general,” Peter said. With high inflation, high interest rates and a housing crisis, it certainly isn’t a problem exclusive to international students.
Despite needing to demonstrate financial capacity for a student visa, the reality is that many students need to work to support themselves.
Insider talked to Maasar Maheshwari, a Griffith University Master of Marketing and Hospitality student from India who has been here for about a year.
“I make $450-500 a week at my job. My weekly rent is $300, groceries are $100 and transport is about $30” he said. “I have no excess.”
It’s often suggested that students should go out more and enjoy life in Australia. But when money’s tight, it’s no surprise that many retreat to their laptops for social connections. This can unfortunately deepen feelings of isolation.
Geri Liao, a past international student and now Business Development Manager at Allianz Partners, talked about her time struggling to make friends. “I would actually talk to my laptop, and that’s when I knew I needed to get out there and actually meet people,” she shared.
The issue of isolation and budget are linked, as a tight budget also affects health.
“Fruit is the first to go” according to Tara Day-Williams from Foodbank. “If people make financial decisions that affect their nutrition, it certainly has an impact on mental health.”
According to Foodbank, which has been running pop-up centres all over campuses in Australia to distribute food to vulnerable students, 77 per cent of their recipients have reported accessing food relief for the first time in their lives in the last 12 months.
Read more: Where You Can Seek Support if You Can’t Afford Food or Groceries
