Students reflect the rise and rise of Asia

BY MICK ROBERTS

The number of Sydney’s international students from wealthy Asian countries has skyrocketed since 2005.
Students choosing Australia to study from the two Asian industrial giants, India and China, have risen sharply over the last three financial years, according to the latest Federal Government statistics.
The increase in the number of students coming to Sydney from the two booming economies reflect reports that India and China have the biggest growth in millionaire population than anywhere else in the world.
Asia is home to some of the world’s fastest-growing populations of millionaires, the annual World Wealth Report said, with India, China, Indonesia, South Korea and Singapore in the top 10 in terms of growth.
For the first time, the number of Indians studying in Australia has surpassed the Chinese. Indians are the highest number of overseas students in the country, having almost tripled since 2004. The number of Indians granted student visas in 2004/05 was 10,000, with that amount increasing to 15,396 in 2005/06, and in 2006/07 they are listed as 28,949.
Closely following the Indians are the Chinese.
Students from this year’s Olympic Games host nation have increased from 17,506 in 2004/05 to 24,915 just three years later, with Koreans jumping from 9,328 in 2004/05 to 12,910 over the same period. Students from Indonesia also jumped from 4751 in 2004/05 to 5,403 over 2006/07.
The rise coincides with a sharp increase in the number of millionaires in Asian countries. Millionaires in India rose 22.7 per cent to 123,000 people, the fastest growth in the world, and millionaires in China grew 20.3 per cent to 415,000, making it home to the fifth-largest number of millionaires in the world, displacing France in that position.
While it seems parents from Asia’s wealthier countries seem to be sending their sons and daughters to our shores, there has been a decrease in students from countries that have traditionally favoured Australia.
Students from the United States have dropped from 10,367 in 2004/05 to 9,287 three years later, while Japanese students have decreased from 5829 in 2004/05 to 4806 for the same period.
A spokesman from the Japanese Consulate said the drop in students can be attributed directly to the rising Australian dollar, making studying less affordable for young Japanese.
‘Because the Japanese Yen is not as strong, there are less students coming to Sydney to further their education,’ the spokesman said.
He said although there has been a slight drop, young Japanese students still find Sydney an attractive destination to study.
‘Japanese students like Sydney because it’s a beautiful and safe city with good weather and friendly people,’ he said.
Japan Foundation Sydney spokeswoman Yvonne Fung said Sydney had been a favourite with Japanese for many years.
The Japan Foundation Sydney aims to promote cultural exchange between Japan and Australia. The Foundation organises a diverse range of cultural activities introducing art, culture and society, and coordinate various programs, while supporting Japanese students in Sydney.
‘The weather is sunny, and the Australian lifestyle is very laid back, so many Japanese students like Australia because it’s away from the hustle and bustle of their home,’ she said.
Japanese student Ayuko Ono has been in Sydney for three years and rents in Surry Hills, while she studies Archaeology and works part time in the hospitality industry.
‘I chose Australia to study because it is a multicultural country,’ she said.
‘I like the lifestyle of Sydney, it’s not too stressful and it’s not too busy. People are so friendly and kind,’ the 25-year-old said.
Ayuko said although she felt at times that the streets of Sydney could be unsafe at night ‘ and that there was some racial discrimination ‘ overall Sydneysiders were welcoming of international students.
‘Also companies seem to provide a good working environment for women, so I really enjoy studying, working and living in Sydney,’ she said.