Students sort of love Sydney

BY MICHAEL FORNO

Last week the City of Sydney released a report into the quality of life for international students in Sydney. The report, The Wellbeing of International Students in the City of Sydney was prepared by the University of Technology, Sydney and found that 9 out of 10 international students would recommend Sydney as a good place to study.

The survey of over 600 international students living in Sydney found that students were generally happy living in Sydney despite a high cost of living and a wilting nightlife.

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore spoke about the survey last week.

“This new research provides valuable information to further support students from around the world and ensure they are given every opportunity to make the most of their time living and studying here,” she said.

“Sydney is one of the world’s leading education destinations, offering first-class educational institutions and renowned research facilities.

“When students go home, we hope they will talk about their time here, encouraging their peers to follow in their footsteps.”

Despite the largely positive result, not everyone agrees that Sydney is the best place to study.

Morgane Zhou is a French national studying in Australia. She’s been living in Sydney for 18 months and is nearing the end of her Master of Arts at UTS in Ultimo.

Ms Zhou moved to Sydney as she considered it an important global economic centre.

“I know my choice is very pragmatic but I chose Sydney, I always thought I would spend some time of my life in Australia,” she said.

“Coming from Paris, Sydney has a very different lifestyle. Its CBD is much bigger than Paris’ La Defence, and I really miss the food markets on the street, the pedestrian-friendly boulevards, and the Parisian architecture,”

Ms Zhou blames Sydney’s lacklustre nightlife and high cost of living for its undesirability.

“I work in a restaurant most nights, and quite late on the weekends, so I can never go out because of the lockout laws,

“I think that Sydney would be a much better place for international students if there was more to do after dark.”

Although Sydney has its shortcomings Ms Zhou is happy living in a relatively safe city.

“I must say I feel much safer here in Sydney than in Paris. As a woman I can walk on the street wearing a short dress and nobody bothers me, while in Paris I would never go out wearing shorts or short dress.”

Overall Ms Zhou is happy she chose Sydney as a place to study.

“Sydney is a great city for studying, but I guess depends on where you are from and what you’re looking for. It is a bit of an island here.”

Despite the positive survey results there are many areas of concern for international students including an expensive and difficult public transport system, highly unaffordable accommodation, and difficulties in finding adequate employment.