Safety for international students - how does Australia rank?

Students seeking to study abroad base their university selection on a few common criteria - the quality of the education, and how well-received their qualification will be internationally. Once these factors have been considered, students think about how welcome they will feel in the country in question. For instance, the influx of Chinese students in recent years can be partly attributed to the growing Chinese community in Australia, which fosters a sense of familiarity and belonging for international students.

Although immigration policies differ vastly for international students, immigration and refugees, people don't make this distinction in the mainstream. Acts of 'turning the boats around' and 'protecting our borders' may be sending out a hostile vibe to prospective international students.

In addition, Australia's reputation, which was damaged by a run of violent attacks against international students, has yet to fully recover. 

Safety concerns are especially heightened in countries where security is a big issue. Students from Uganda, with a murder rate 10 times that of Australia, were most concerned about safety issues. In comparison, British, Australian and Canadian - countries which have a low murder rate - students were the least affected by overseas safety. Hence students who come from troubled home countries may be more influenced by news regarding safety when selecting a school.

On the other end of the spectrum, there are students who come to Australia with 'overseas goggles', and engage in riskier behavior such as taking shortcuts which are not well-lighted because they are in a country which is much safer than their home countries.

Most students adopt a positive perception of Australia and the Australian way of life upon arrival - the multicultural mix of people, the value of fair play and the protection against discrimination. Also, Australia ranks highly still on the list of the Most Liveable Cities in the World.

Australia has a stable political environment, low crime rate and high health standards, which sets the stage for an enjoyable study experience. International students are covered by health insurance, and people with a disability are looked after through public transport and buildings which have accessible designs.

Australia is neither a xenophobic country which shuns outsiders, nor is it an utopia with zero crime. The majority of Australians are friendly and helpful, but international students should practice common sense when it comes to safety to ensure your study experience is enriching and safe.

In case of danger, call 000.

Source: http://bit.ly/U6gKpW