Abstract
This study examines the experiences of South Asian international students in Sydney in order to identify the vulnerabilities and challenges they face and to outline some recommendations for improvement. The main objective of this was to examine the problmes that South Asian international students face in Sydney, Australia. The sub-objectives were to examine problems of South Asian international students in relation to housing and accommodation, employment, safety, discrimination and social integration. The literature review highlighted that international students face many problems in a host country and as a result their wellbeing is suffered. The literature found that internaitonal students may face problems in relation to accommodation, securing a job, safety and integrating in a host country. Theoretically, these five factors comes under the three basic needs as defined by Maslow including physiological, safety and belongingness needs. If these needs are not fulfilled students cannot concentrate on their education. Moreover, education is important for the development of human capital. South Asian students are growing in large number year by year in Australia so cocnetrating on their problems is important. This study used mixed methods to examine the experience of South Asian international students. The quantative method used survey questionnaire while the qualitative method used interviews. The relevant philosophical view for the mixed method was critical realism. The researcher used convenience and purposive sampling techniques for the quantitative and qualitative methods respectively. v The study found that the South Asian international students studying in Australia had a variety of experiences that they deemed as challenging. Students face challenges with regards to accommodation, employment, security and safety, discrimination and social exclusion. The students unable to find desired accommodation, some landlords charged high rent and require history to secure a place for rent. The employers also require students to provide references and some students' degrees are not recognised and as a result they unable to find a job related to their field. Some students face safety and security issues in public places. Some students face discrimination in employment and public places. Social exclusion is also reported by students due to language and cultural differences. The recommendations for issues related to each theme are based on an analysis of the findings of each theme. Firstly, to overcome the students' lack of information about getting suitable accommodation, local council, universities and department of education must come forward and help students to find the right accommodations. Secondly, for safety and security, universities must conduct workshops and develop a positive and desired image of the police in the minds of international students. Third, employment issues can be overcome when industries, universities and government will come forward and develop job opportunities and helping students to find the right job. Fourth, to overcome the discrimination issue, state government, local council and transporters must come forward to prevent discrimination and make the fares reasonable. Lastly, this study indicated that a few students are unable to integrate into the social life of Australia. Mentoring, holding festivals and dinners by universities can reduce social exclusion. The study concludes that the government must focus on improving the wellbeing of South Asian internaitonal students to attract more students. The implication is that closer examination of students' vi experiences may assist the government and higher education institutions in determining actions they may take to improve the experience. experiences may assist the government and higher education institutions in determining actions they may take to improve the experience