Introducing your topic

Today, we live in the world where study abroad is common. Where, it used to be a special privilege for wealthy people. Not only because of the tuition fees that very expensive, but the visa requirements are also the barriers that holding up people to study overseas. Luckily, today we can fulfil our knowledge desire by studying overseas easily despite the fact that visa requirements is still an issue. However, the growing numbers of international students have become an income for the country destination.

As a human being, international student has needs to be fulfilled. Thing such as accommodation, food and transportation are the most common needs for the student. Unfortunately, the growing number has not been accompanied by an increase in services for the students. Let’s take example of Australia. Many students have had negative experiences during their study in Australia which occur unexpectedly and they find much difficulty in handling their problems. Often problems occur because they simply do not have any knowledge of the laws of the country. Furthermore, they do not have any idea to find support or help which is available to them.

One of the newsletters created by RMIT journalism on their blog which called “City Journal”, they examine this particular problem. “They are targets of unscrupulous landlords, can be subject to discrimination and much of the outwardly comfortable looking housing that is developed especially for them is cramped, expensive and unregulated,”(City Journal, par. 4). In other words, it seems that international students are the target of being tricked by the unscrupulous landlord since English is not their first language.

From here, we can see that international student is not as simple as it sounds. Their objectivity has turned from simply study at foreign county into a person who have complex problem. They have to deal with so many things in their everyday life.

Reference:

City Journal. (2008) Far From Home: The International Student Housing Crisis. Retrieved September 24, 2010, from http://www.cityjournal.dsc.rmit.edu.au/video/upload.swf

Narrating Personal Interest

An International student is far away from home and enters a new society and difference lifestyle. Often the student finds the new place is not good as the brochure tells. Therefore, researching is necessary before making any decision. The only way to find out the ‘real deal’ is through other students experiences because they are whose facing all the obstacles and difficulties each and every days. Also, the potential students need to consider several difference options and not only focus on a single person opinion.

As an international student, I found out, there are only a small number of websites/blogs that are really help to find any information related to study abroad. This situation however, happened to me before I decided to study abroad. Luckily, I managed to get in touch with one of the Curtin University representative in my home town. Through that, I can easily get all the information that I need.

Back to the website issue, during that time, I could not even find any proper website that surely helps me to find out what the experience is like. Perhaps, the main problem is in my country (Indonesia) the government is blocking many websites especially from the western countries. So, it was hard for me to understand what study abroad look like based on other people experience. I knew the censored websites, because I have been to study overseas for a short length of time, therefore, I knew that in Indonesia, you do not have much freedom when it comes to finding information on the internet.

In the moment of depression, lucky I contacted my friend Yumi from Japan that has much experience when it comes to study abroad. I met her in Brisbane (the first time I studied overseas) when I did my English study for about six months. Long story short, there is one particular conversation which I cannot easily forget. I asked her what kind of problems that may come up during my study. She answered, “The emotion when you are feeling rejected.” Until now, I still remember that sentence that she said to me.

The beginning of my journey

I could not exactly remember when is the first time I've flown overseas all by myself. I think it was September 2006. That's make me 4 years already living on my own and believe me it not an easy thing to do as I came from an Asian culture which has strong family values.

The first city I visited was Brisbane in Queensland. I came there to study English for about 6 months. The only reason I want to visit Brizzi was Gold Coast. That's it. Well, my English school is not like an intensive course, so I had a lot of free time. I visited a lot of fun places in there.

Anyway, while I typing this blog, all those memories come in mind. So, for those of you who want to study overseas, I'm giving you these 2 simple rules, be brave and be adventurous. You will not have any idea what will you face. And trust me, you will remember it all until the end of the time.

Thanks for reading.
Ps: I will edit this post frequently as soon as I get the idea what to write. LOL