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

3 Easy Ways to Earn Extra Income in Australia

If you're not visiting one of the awesome winter travel locations which we suggested, it could be either you're a homebody or.. you didn't budget for the trip. During my first summer break in Australia, I traveled to Melbourne, Fiji and Cairns. Here's what I did to earn extra income to support the trip, and you can do the same too -

1. University experiments
If you're studying at a university, chances are that your university conducts experiments.

A lot of people think 'mad scientist' when they think 'experiments' but all the experiments I participated in mostly involved sitting in front of a computer playing decision-making games. It's a very painless way of earning approximately $100 for 2 - 3 hours. (Some experiments have a fixed rate, others are dependent on games outcomes - if you're lucky sometimes you're paid an additional bonus.)

Remember to arrive early as researchers usually overbook students to cater for no-shows. If you show up on time but the participant pool is already full, you may be compensated $10 - $20. 

Try:
The University of Sydney - Economics Experiments (only for Sydney Uni students)
Macquarie University - Faculty of Human Sciences

2. AirBnb
One of the reasons some students on a tight budget are loathe to go on holidays is because of rent. There are a few ways to cut down on rent when you're away.

• You may negotiate an agreement with your landlord so that your rent can be reduced when you're not living in your accommodation.
• Sublease your room or apartment when you're away.

AirBnb is the best website for this purpose - they offer free photographers to take professional shots of your property, reviews of prospective tenants and insurance coverage.

I have met really amazing people through AirBnb - a female pilot, a medical student from Harvard, people I might have never met in my everyday routine. However, safety is paramount, so trust your instincts and request for as many verifications as it takes for you to feel comfortable with a tenant.

3. Sell Unwanted Items
One of the most 'traditional' ways of earning extra income. The easiest way is to list the item online, or you may gather a few friends and rent a space at the markets to peddle your wares.

Try:
Gumtree
EBay

With these 3 nifty ways to earn extra income, and of course by using NexPay, you'll be ready for a luxury retreat by the time summer rolls around!

Are you eligible to work in Australia after graduation?

What happens after graduation? If you're an international student studying in Australia, you get to work for two to four years in Australia upon completion of your studies. This gives overseas students an opportunity to gain experience in one of the most progressive working environments in the world and earn some Australian dollars while you're at it!

From July 2013 to March 2014, 493 Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) were granted to fresh graduates. If you're thinking about pursuing studies in Australia, there is no better time to do it!

So what are the requirements for this visa?

If you

• are younger than 50 years of age
• are in Australia
• hold an eligible visa
• meet the two-year Australian study requirement
• have at least competent English
• have recently graduated with either an eligible qualification or with skills and qualifications that relate to an occupation on the skilled occupation list (SOL).

You will be eligible to apply for this visa. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/1n99hSZ

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What are the most powerful passports in the world?

Passport power - the name of the country on your passport cover can mean the difference between having to prepare numerous documents prior to international travel, or being granted a visa automatically on arrival.

How many countries can you visit without a visa?

Australia has one of the best passports in the world, allowing visa-free access to 167 countries globally! With established pathways to citizenship in Australia, coupled with world-class education, it is little wonder that the land down under is one of the most popular study destinations in the world.

Dreaming of studying in Australia but daunted by the exchange rates? Fear not, for NexPay can help you by offering awesome exchange rates and zero bank fees.

Source: http://goo.gl/n0sLeI

Winter break in Australia

Now that the finals are done and dusted, students now have time on their hands to amuse themselves and recharge over the winter break. For those of you who are not returning home or attending winter school, here are a couple of holiday ideas -

Whitsundays, QLD
For: Sunshine Lovers

Queensland is also known as the Sunshine State, and rightly so. The Whitsundays are a collection of islands on the Great Barrier Reef, on the beautiful tropical coast of Queensland. With an average daily temperature of 23 degree Celsius, this is the location for the ultimate winter escape. Must visits include Whitehaven Beach, Heart Reef and of course, any of the amazing beaches for quintessential holiday lazing.

Heart Reef

Cost wise, this is not the cheapest holiday destination - but very doable if you have been saving with NexPay. Expect to fork out $600 for accommodation, food and activities over 3D2N, which is coincidentally how much you would save if you had processed a $14,000 payment with us. Holiday cost justified!

Mornington Peninsula, VIC
For: A cozy break

Instead of escaping winter, why not make the most of it? Mornington Peninsula is a popular day trip destination for international students in Melbourne. Pick a day, rent a car with some friends, drive for an hour then enjoy a day of wandering amongst vineyards and soaking in the award-winning hot springs.

Jindabyne, NSW
For: Snow lovers

Did you know that it snows in Australia? In the Australian Alps, July through to September is skiing season! Australia is home to some of the best ski runs in the world for beginners and experts alike. Head to Jindabyne in NSW, and from there you have easy access to Thredbo, Perisher Blue and, our favorite, Blue Cow ski resorts.


Feel free to share your winter break ideas below, and happy holidays!

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