Australia is considered one of the most successful international educators in the world, particularly at university level. Education has now been recognised as Australia’s fourth largest export behind iron ore, coal, and gas.
But while Australia is a popular destination for international students, it seems Sydney is most popular among Nepalese students.
Why Are Most Nepali Students Choosing Sydney?
More than one-third of university students in Sydney are from overseas with many being from Nepal. Since 2015, Sydney has seen an increase of 132% in the number of international students from Nepal. The student cohort is split 50/50 between higher education and vocational training. Nepal is the third largest source of foreign students in Australia behind China and India.
The Nepali community is now one of the fastest-growing migrant communities in Australia. The number of Nepali-born people living in Australia has increased by over 67,000 since 2016. Although Australia is a large country with many cities offering excellent education options, Nepali students are choosing Sydney as their home. One Nepalese student cited that the community in Sydney is more established, therefore making it more appealing to Nepali students. A fact that is supported given 48% of the community in Australia live in Sydney.
While Sydney and Australia in general offer many benefits to the Nepali community, the community also offers a lot to Sydney.
As a celebratory culture, the Nepali community has brought with it many traditions and customs, all of which they are happy to celebrate in their new city. With so many festivals and traditions, more often than not, there is some festival or celebration taking place.
‘We have a saying in Nepal, that we have 365 days in a year, and we celebrate 364 days’.
More About Nepal and its People
Nepal is a landlocked country in South Asia which shares its borders with China and India. It has a population of over 30 million. The country has more than 100 different ethnic groups speaking over 93 languages. Nepali is the official language of the population, with English spoken by many in government and business offices.
The culture is rich and unique, mainly influenced by music, architecture, religion, and literature. The people celebrate many festivals, large and small including Dishain, Tihar, Besanta Panchmi, Teej, and Mani Rimdu.
Home to Mt Everest, a popular tourist adventure destination, with many travelers heading there to undertake activities such as trekking and mountaineering.
Why Are International Students Choosing Australia?
There are many reasons why international students choose to study in Australia. These include Australia being a world-class provider of education, a welcoming nation that embraces cultural diversity, and its generally temperate climate. In addition, having a system of quality control and government accreditation to ensure a quality study experience makes Australia an attractive destination for international students.
For most international students who don’t own a vehicle, Australia’s public transport system is extensive and reliable, making it easy to commute in the metropolitan and regional areas.
Australia is also one of the safest countries for international students to live and study. The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Safe Cities Index 2021 ranked Sydney in 4th place and Melbourne ranked in 8th place, tied with Singapore.
Importantly, international students in Australia enjoy work rights entitling them to work 48 hours a fortnight while their course is in session. During semester breaks, the working hours are unrestricted. This ability to work enables international students to earn while they learn.
For Nepali students, Australia’s proximity to home minimises the time difference between the two countries which holds appeal for many.
Further cementing the relationship between Australia and the country, is the support of the Nepalese Gurkhas – elite soldiers who have served and fought beside Australian troops since Gallipoli.
In order to maintain its global reputation for excellence in education, the Australian Government has announced a package of measures to support the integrity of the international students system and support genuine international students. This package along with a series of other changes is aimed to eliminate the exploitation of international students ensuring all international students have a favourable Australian education experience.
To learn more about any aspect of migration, contact the experienced team of registered migration agents at Visa Solutions Australia. Book a consultation.
Sources
[1] This is Australia’s Fastest Growing Migrant Community https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/this-is-australias-fastest-growing-migrant-community/qns2roccp
