Background and Statistics

In an effort to provide some background to the international student population in Melbourne, here are some figures from the Australian Education International and Australian Bureau of Statistics websites.

The most recent data from the Australian Education International website reveals that as of August 2008 there were 112, 728 students from China studying in Australia, representing 23.6% of international student enrollments. This figure was up 18.8% on the previous year. As of June 2008, Victoria hosted 28, 059 of these students, enrolled across all sectors including Higher Education (12541), ELICOS (5120) High School (6033) and VET courses (3649).

Further insight into the Chinese student community comes from the
Australian Bureau of Statistics website. The latest information from
2006-07 shows us that 57% of arrivals from China are aged in the 20-24 age bracket, with a further 20% aged between 25-29.

In terms of gender, girls made up 52% of the 2006-07 Chinese student cohort, an interesting figure considering that the next largest student group that year were from India with 80% of that group being male.

Figures from ABS show that 20% of the international student population are engaged in part time work of some sort, the majority in the food and accommodation service sector.

However, what I really want to know is how are these students finding their experience in Melbourne? Is it meeting their expectations? What are their biggest sources of frustration? Do they want to stay? If not, why not? Why did they choose Melbourne to begin with? Through talking with students I hope to delve more deeply into these questions, and unearth more questions of interest.

Welcome to Soy Sauce

This is my blog. It is called Soy Sauce Stories. I am hoping it will become a place where I can publish stories about the lives of Melbourne’s ever growing Chinese international student community. You might be wondering why I am interested in this community. There are several answers to this question.

Firstly, I study Chinese and it is a great opportunity to speak with people in a language that I love learning. I hope to eventually post in both Chinese and English so that students, their family and friends can read about each other in their first language. Also it will give me a chance to practise my writing skills.

Secondly, I lived and worked in China for around two years beginning in 2005. I lived in Guangzhou and rate my time there as probably the best period in my life. I was astounded by the unbelievable hospitality I received in that city and everywhere I travelled in China. I made life-long friends whilst living there with my girlfriend and I hope to go back and live there in the future.

Finally, I teach English in Melbourne. As a teacher I have met hundreds of foreign students. I am always interested in what has brought them to Australia to further their studies. Also, I am very curious about how they are finding it here in Melbourne. Have they made any friends? Have they found places they enjoy hanging out? What is their favourite restaurant? Are there aspects of the culture they don’t really understand? Do they feel safe? Will they stay?

I hope this blog will be a way to both explore these and other questions, and to share the answers.