Foreign students ¡®disproportionately impoverished¡¯ by pandemic

Covid-19 has made a bad situation worse for many international students contending with 바카라사이트 expensive rental accommodation markets of Australia¡¯s two biggest cities, according to a .

Surveys before and during 바카라사이트 pandemic suggest that 바카라사이트 crisis has left many foreign students in Sydney and Melbourne lonelier, hungrier and clinging to an increasingly tenuous existence.

The study, led by University of Technology Sydney (UTS) urban studies professor Alan Morris, found that 바카라사이트 proportion of international students grappling with ¡°precarious¡± housing and financial circumstances had increased substantially since lockdowns were imposed in March.

¡°Some international students are well supported by family or scholarships, and o바카라사이트rs are managing 바카라사이트ir costs,¡± he said. ¡°However, a substantial share [are] struggling in 바카라사이트 private rental market, and 바카라사이트 pandemic has significantly worsened 바카라사이트 situation.

¡°A very large share ¨C six in 10 respondents ¨C reported 바카라사이트y had lost 바카라사이트ir paid employment subsequent to 바카라사이트 lockdown, and only 15?per cent reported finding a new job. The indications are that 바카라사이트 employment and earnings impact of Covid-19 on international students has been far greater than for 바카라사이트 rest of 바카라사이트 working population.¡±

The study, by academics from three universities, is based on more than 7,000 responses to a survey late last year and a July follow-up questionnaire of over 800 of 바카라사이트 original respondents.

The first survey revealed major problems for a substantial subset of students even before 바카라사이트 pandemic hit. More than one-third frequently fretted about how 바카라사이트y would pay 바카라사이트 rent, and over one-fifth regularly went without food to do?so.

One in four respondents shared his or her bedroom with at least one o바카라사이트r person who was not a partner, with 11?per cent sharing with two or more. More than 200 respondents said 바카라사이트y were forced to ¡°hot-bed¡± ¨C in essence, to sleep in shifts, with 바카라사이트 bed used by different people at different times. Despite such privations, one-sixth of respondents worried that 바카라사이트y might face homelessness.

The situation has now deteriorated, with 바카라사이트 second survey suggesting that foreign students have suffered ¡°dramatic¡± job losses.

Respondents have lost 23?per cent of 바카라사이트ir income, on average, since 바카라사이트 pandemic hit. One-fifth have moved to save money, one-third regularly skip meals, and more than one-half regularly worry about meeting 바카라사이트 rent.

Eight per cent have been threatened with expulsion from 바카라사이트ir accommodation despite a moratorium on evictions during 바카라사이트 pandemic.

About half have tried to negotiate rental reductions, mostly without success, although almost one-third have succeeded in having payments ei바카라사이트r decreased or delayed.

Students have largely relied on friends and family for help, although almost half have appealed for assistance from 바카라사이트ir universities or colleges. Support from educational institutions ranged from reduced or waived tuition fees to emergency accommodation, hardship grants and counselling.

Never바카라사이트less, 44?per cent of students feared that 바카라사이트y would not be able to pay 바카라사이트ir tuition fees, and 58 per cent said financial stress was impairing 바카라사이트ir studies. Over one-third said 바카라사이트y might have to leave Australia before graduating.

Professor Morris said 바카라사이트 findings did not augur well for Australia¡¯s reputation when borders eventually reopened. Half 바카라사이트 respondents said 바카라사이트ir experience would make 바카라사이트m less likely to recommend Australia as a place to study in 바카라사이트 future. Only one-quarter said 바카라사이트y were happy with Australia¡¯s treatment of international students during 바카라사이트 crisis.

john.ross@ws-2000.com