International Student Recommendations for Education Providers and Governments

Part of the Voices From the Margins project, our online survey aimed to gather information on the experiences and recommendations regarding the COVID-19 lockdown period from Melbourne’s international student population. When asked for recommendations on how education providers can better support international students, the most common recommendations focused on financial aspects. An increase in financial support (8) through avenues such as financial management lessons or more scholarships being the most common recommendation and lowering fees (4) being the equal second most recommended item. Additional social support from education providers, such as organising support groups for international students (4) and mental health (4) were also amongst the most common recommendations.

When asked for recommendations to Local, State, and Federal governments, financial-related support again provided the highest number of responses, with the provision of financial support (5), such as offering more scholarships, and extending unlimited work hours for international students (4), the first and equal second most common recommendations.