Nepalese Students in Australia

Gaurav Upreti: Overseas education is the first step into this big world for students who grew up in the confinements of the Himalayas. Amidst the unemployment and skill crisis, it is very crucial to make the right choice while deciding which course to from 1000s of leading institutions around the world. And Australia is leading the charts for Nepalese students who seek better education standards, quality training, and job prospects.

In recent years, Australia has become one of the popular destinations for Nepalese students who aspire to study abroad. It is amusing to think that the island nation, which is known for its coral reefs, tropical beaches, is among the top three destinations for students of Nepal. By the end of this article, you will understand what Australia has to offer Nepalese students is not just a change in scenery.

NEPALESE POPULATION VS NEPALESE STUDENT POPULATION

According to the UN mid-year data, the population of Nepal is said to be 29,136,808. The country’s share in the global population has been consistent for the past five years. But Nepalese student population has shown a major shift in the last decade and most of them choose Australia for their overseas education. The percentage of its students studying abroad is soaring high than in some popular and developed Asian countries.

On a closer, the country of Nepal has shown phenomenal growth in its student population pursuing higher education. This dynamic growth made Nepalese students a target for the global market and international student enrollments are showing growth every year. And thousands are enrolling in Australian universities for their higher studies ranging from certification courses to master’s degrees.

WHY STUDY IN AUSTRALIA?

Kangaroos, glamorous Sydney Opera house, beaches, coral reefs, and spectacular weather. Some of the things Australia is known for. But they are not or the only reasons why Nepalese students prefer Australia among other top nations. Here are some reasons why Nepalese students study in Australia.

• By studying in Australia, one can have more career prospects as the country is known for its vocational training and entrepreneurial development.
• With over 22,000 courses and 1100 institutions to choose from, students can have limitless opportunities to shape their futures. Not to mention, Australia houses 6 of 100 top universities in the world.
• Students are allowed to work while they are studying. With little limitations over working hours and moderately high wages, it is easy for them to manage their expenses.
• Plus, the Australian government investing 300 million under 3000 plus scholarship schemes for international students which will be a huge help for the developing and rural population of Nepalese students.

Easy and straightforward student visas, cultural diversity, and more importantly an excellent education system that is recognized for its global standards. These are some of the many factors that make Australia, an attractive choice.

WHICH ARE THE POPULAR UNIVERSITIES IN AUSTRALIA?

More than others, some of the universities in Australia are popular among Nepalese students. Here is the list of the top 5 recommended Australian universities that are well preferred by the students of Nepal.

1. Curtin University
2. University of Melbourne
3. University of New South Wales
4. University of Wollongong
5. University of Sydney

Also, Victoria University and Western Sydney University rank higher among the Nepalese overseas student community.

WHAT ARE THE POPULAR SUBJECTS FOR NEPALESE STUDENTS IN AUSTRALIA?

Unlike other Asian countries, Nepalese students show a balanced diversity when it comes to the choice of courses. It is said to be 50:50 between vocational and advanced degrees. With over 22,000 courses offered by Australian universities, one can easily pick a course that feeds their aspiration and goals.

Here is a list of the popular subjects preferred by Nepalese students in Australia,

1. Engineering
2. Nursing
3. Accounting
4. Information Technology
5. Hospitality

But it is critical to choose a career path that has a huge job market and high demand for professionals. Since it is known that the Australia Quality Framework is offering CRICOS approved courses, students are guaranteed to get high-value education and growth in their choice of industry.

HOW MUCH CAN A NEPALI STUDENT EARN IN AUSTRALIA?

With the flexibility to work part-time and study, international students don’t need to wait for their graduation to start earning. It is not a predictable scale but it is known that Australia’s minimum pay scale is higher than in many countries.

Here is an overview of the hours of work vs minimum pay. With 20 hours part-time a week, a Nepali student can easily get paid around $400. While those with depants or breaks can work full-time of 40 hours and get paid roughly over $700. This is not fixed and may vary with the type of job a student is offered and their skills. Above mentioned values are in AUD and students who got underpaid can notify to authorities.

STUDENT LIFE IN AUSTRALIA

Compared to the livelihood of international students, Australia is said to have a better environment and affordable lifestyle. Some highlights from the Nepalese student community,

• Being the fastest growing economy, Australia has so much to offer Nepalese students.
• Sunny climate with widest cultural diversity, overseas students are always surrounded by people far from home. It presents an opportunity to learn and grow alongside people with varied interests and backgrounds.
• With its widespread and well-connected public transport system, students can move between places at ease without leaving a hole in their pockets.
• Also, the health care system which mandates a health cover for obtaining visas keeps the country and its immigrants’ health in check.

CHALLENGES FACED BY NEPALESE STUDENTS IN AUSTRALIA

Picture perfect Australia comes with its bundle of challenges for Nepalese Students.

• One of the major concerns is that student fees should be paid upfront to get a visa which may not be possible for all students hailing from poor countries.
• Due to frequent weather conditions, authorities are concerned that those who go on breaks may not be back in time for students from rural parts of the country.
• Those who choose to stay in Australia for their whole course duration have shown signs of getting depressed or stressed.
• Employers may exploit students by underpaying or imposing long shifts which may undermine their educational growth.
• The growing competition in Australia has proven to be a concerning factor as many may not get courses or institutions they aspired to go to.
• Less research and greedy institutions may get troublesome for unprepared students.

These factors are commonly faced by students pursuing international education and it is the responsibility of the students to think through the whole process to be successful.

CONCLUSION

Nepalese students are migrating overseas with ambitions bigger than the mighty Himalayas itself. It is safe to say that no mountains and sea can deter these Nepalese students who are making their name known to the world, starting from Australia.