Published Resources Details Report

Authors
Robertson, Shanthi and Clark, Zoe
Title
Report to Moreland City Council: International Students in the City of Moreland
Imprint
Moreland City Council, Coburg, Victoria, 2012
Url
http://www.moreland.vic.gov.au/globalassets/areas/social-policy/international-students-in-the-city-of-moreland-report.pdf
Description

The project sought to find information about some of the key issues affecting international students at the community level and to assess their level of engagement with local government services and community events. The survey asked students a number of questions around their living arrangements, employment, level of community engagement, and knowledge of and access to Council events and services.
As of the 27-4-16 lit review indicators were: Community engagement, Mental health, Safety, Employment, Housing, Problem Gambling, Access to services.
Methodology: Online survey to gather information about international students living, working or studying in and around the City of Moreland.

Abstract

This report is the result of research commissioned in 2012 by Moreland City Council and conducted by researchers from the Globalism Research Centre at RMIT University. The project used an online survey to gather information about international students living, working or studying in and around the City of Moreland. The project sought to find information about some of the key issues affecting international students at the community level and to assess their level of engagement with local government services and community events. The survey asked students a number of questions around their living arrangements, employment, level of community engagement, and knowledge of and access to Council events and services. Overall, the results show relatively high levels of satisfaction with living and employment conditions, although the data suggests that financial pressures around the costs of living, particularly transport, accommodation and entertainment, are key concerns for international students. The other key finding was that although the vast majority of students surveyed would like the opportunity for more involvement in the local community,
only a small minority were aware of or had experienced many of the events, services and facilities offered in the municipality. Cost was also a key factor identified by students as impacting on their participation in community events and activities, particularly the cost of public transportation. This suggests that more effective promotion of these events and facilities to international students would be valuable, with a particular emphasis in this promotion placed on events and services that are either free or relatively affordable, and easily accessible.