PUB600: Financial Challenges Faced by International Students Report

This research report, prepared for PUB600, investigates the financial difficulties encountered by international students in Australia. The report begins with an introduction outlining the scope of the problem, followed by a comprehensive literature review that examines the various financial constraints faced by these students, including high tuition fees, limited access to government loans, and currency exchange rates. The report then appraises both a qualitative and a quantitative article, providing critical analysis of the research methodologies and findings related to international student finances. The qualitative article explores the working conditions of international students in the food service industry, while the quantitative article assesses the challenges and support systems within medical faculties. The report concludes by summarizing the key findings and implications of the research, emphasizing the need for better support systems and policies to address the financial burdens faced by international students. The report also includes references and appendices with search strategies and critical appraisal templates.

PUB600 Assessment Task 2
Research report
ABSTRACT
A discipline-specific practice-based research report
that identifies and critiques research evidence in your
chosen field
Your name
PUB600

Contents
Introduction...........................................................................................................................................2
Literature Review..................................................................................................................................3
Appraisal of Qualitative Article..............................................................................................................6
Appraisal of Quantitative Article...........................................................................................................8
Conclusion...........................................................................................................................................10
References...........................................................................................................................................11
Appendix 1: Basics of searching completed template.........................................................................12
Appendix 2: Critical appraisal of qualitative article using McMaster template...................................14
Appendix 3: Critical appraisal of quantitative article...........................................................................17
1

Introduction
The purpose of this report is to investigate the financial related problems faced by
international students in the University and Australia at large. In the current years,
international students have increased by 65% since the year 2000 globally accounting for
more than 3.3 million students (1). Australia has become one of the best global markets for
international students after the United States of America (USA) and the United Kingdom.
Students often prefer to study overseas than locally for better education and international
experience(2). Studying as international students has better benefits in terms of jobs
market. However, International students are subjected to various deficits while studying.
One of the major hindrances is the financial associated challenges which may lead to stress
and poor performances. In addition, due to financial constraints, international students are
subjected to other problems like lack of accommodation, physical health problems,
insufficient basic needs like clothing and food, poor or lack of convenient transport system
and lack of educational materials like equipment and computers(3). This report seeks to
address the above current financial associated problems that international students
encountered.
2

Literature Review
Most of the international students in the university are always having various
challenges majorly associated with financial constraints. There are various reasons as to why
international students face this challenge. First, most of the international students come
from the poor backgrounds and largely depend on scholarships and donations(1,4). The
money given through scholarship is largely used for tuition purposes only thus the students
are forced to look for other sources of income in order to cater for basic needs. Due to
cultural differences, language barriers, the burden of school work and lack of expertise,
finding a part-time job while studying becomes a problem(5). Secondly, international
students do not get government loans. Most of the government spending priorities are
under Medicare and current expenditures thus allocating money for international students
loans becomes a problem. Thirdly, the tuition fees for private international students is much
higher as compared to the local students(3). Due to this fact, students spent more money on
paying for school thus remaining with little amounts which cannot cater for other needs.
Lastly, most of the international students use foreign currency. The cost for exchange rates
may be high leaving them with minimum amounts of money thus affecting their financial
stabilities(1,6). Therefore, international students are more disadvantaged when it comes to
financial status as compared to the local students.
Due to financial problems, there are other associated problems that international
students face. According to current health surveys, most of the international students stay
in poor accommodation facilities. International students tend to go for accommodation
facilities that are cheap due to financial difficulties(3,4). Those cheap houses often have
3

poor sanitation and are located in high crime areas thus coping becomes difficult. In
addition, the international students always use inconvenient modes of transport majorly the
buses. Sometimes, transportation through buses can be stressful in terms of time thus to
get to school in time can be difficult. Other than that, most of the international students eat
once a day since affording three meals a day is much expensive for them(6). These financial
associated problems make it difficult for international students to have a comfortable
condition for learning.
According to a study by Dalia Saleh in 2017, most of the international students face
stressful situations and preoccupations due to financial difficulties(7). A total of 483
students were collected including both local and international students aged between 18 to
24 years. The results of the study showed that about 73% and 79% of the students, the
majority of the international students suffered from either anxiety, psychological distress
and depressive symptoms(7). More than half of the international students were suffering
from low self-esteem and little optimism mainly due to financial problems. Students
suffering from psychological problems often tend to have lower grades and failures at
school (7).In the United Kingdom, a number of studies have linked mental health in
international students with financial difficulties. A study by Richardson in 2013 showed that
41% of mental health related conditions in international students had financial difficulties as
compared to 17.5% who had no money problem(8). A significant relationship was found
between financial constraints and suicide, depression, drug use and dependence, psychotic
and neurotic disorders(8). The study concluded that financial support is the key element for
students studying higher education especially the international students who have limited
ways of getting money.
4

International students usually have limited opportunities when it comes to
employment options(5). This is due to the fact that, international students are only allowed
to work at universities as regulated by their student visa. Despite the valuable contribution
of the international students, most universities do not offer enough job opportunities in
order to enable them to support their basic needs. Other than that, most of the locals think
international students have come to grab job opportunities for their children thus giving a
part-time job for an international student becomes a problem(6). However, international
students have other option through which they can obtain money for their needs. This
includes scholarships and aid provided by the university, grants from other charity
organizations, the school provided loans which is only applicable in some universities, school
jobs and private loans from people such as politicians(1). However, all the possible options
depending on various factors and securing any one of them is difficult. Before applying to
study abroad, it is advisable for students to understand the benefits the university is
offering, amount of scholarship, possible hardships and legal issues related to the visa
application(9). Other than that, the government should increase employment options for
international students and the universities should always try to incorporate them in school
jobs in order to promote their financial stabilities.
5

Appraisal of Qualitative Article
Inhospitable Workplaces? International Students and Paid Work in Food Services
This aim of this study was to examine the characteristics of jobs done by
international students due to financial problems. The study included a group of
international students working in a Melbourne café, take away food services and restaurant
sectors. The study was based on the facts that, most of the international students in
Australia usually work on paid work as a part-time job to cater for their basics needs. Their
services suit the employment, as most of the takeaway food and cafes do not usually
require more knowledge and skills. Though the details of the work are not complicated,
various reports suggest that most international students are poses to poor wages and
working conditions. Due to these facts, qualitative interviews of the students were
performed to determine if there were any social injustices.
The results showed that poor employment conditions were widespread among
international students where they were posed to underpayment and non-payment wages.
A significant number of international students were found to have been working for months
without pay and more than half were underpaid. Some of the reasons which facilitated to
this condition include language barrier, discrimination, and lack of enough government
control. None of the international students explained to have been working in favorable
conditions as compared to the local students. In addition, the result further demonstrated
how some of the restaurant and café were taking advantages of the financial problems the
international students had to breach labor regulation laws. Other than that, the results
6

showed that such illegal employes practices were facilitated by the use of undeclared casual
work.
The study concluded that underpayment to the international students was the most
severe in cafes and restaurants which claim to follow ethical standards. Such restaurants
were concentrated in employing international students only to escape labor regulations as
the students lack any other means of getting money for their basic needs. The study also
added that there were other restaurants where international students could work with
other local workers but received very poor wages in the same job category. The report
suggested that new employment opportunities should be created for international students
to enable them to escape job discrimination and enforce them through their studies.
7

Appraisal of Quantitative Article
International Medical Students- A survey of perceived challenges and Established Support
Services at Medical faculties
The aim of the study was to determine the background challenges faced by
international students in medical faculties in Germany. The study was conducted in 2013 on
36 medical faculties training medical students. The faculties were interviewed using
questionnaires about the percentage of non –German students, difficulties and the
challenges the students were facing, available offers they were given and possible options
for support.
Regarding the proportion of the international students, 42% of all medical faculties
could not give any indication of how many international students they had. Those medical
faculties could not give the specific statistics available or how they could obtain it.
Furthermore, 19% of all medical faculties only reported the estimated figures. Only 39% of
them had an elaborate statistic and exact figures of all non-German students they had. In
terms of financial challenges, 28% of the faculties responded that international students had
various financial problems in such a way many could work while studying to minimize the
capacity of leaning the syllabus. More than half of the medical facilities believed that
financial constraints and intercultural issues were the major challenges affecting the medical
students. Possible problems that relate to financial constraints were a failure of exams,
inadequate basic needs like food, accommodation and shelter. Other than that, financial
constraints were associated with health problems, stress and psychological problems, and
lack of employment.
8

In terms of financial support provided by medical faculties to the students, no any
percentage of all facilities reported or showed they had a program of which they support
their students financially. This proved that international students usually have financial
problems of which little is done by institutions they are learning. The only support that was
given to the international students by all faculties was intercultural education alone. Only
8% of the of all the medical faculties provided the solution for financial challenges. However,
no specific solution was provided.
The above study demonstrates that financial problems are among the other
challenges that many international students face while studying. Although some of the
many universities acknowledge that, only a few are willing to help students be able to be
financially fit. From, the study, no medical faculty had any plan to support international
students financially or even offering them work at the university. This proves how most of
the needy international students are neglected in university institutions. All universities
should address the issue in order to reduce a burden of challenges international students
have as related to money problems.
9

Conclusion
In conclusion, Australia is among the top of global markets for international students
after the UK and the USA. International education has increased globally due to various
benefits obtained such as an increase in experience and better education. However
international students are subjected to various challenges one of them being financial
problems. Financial constraints and difficulties are common among the international
students studying in Australia. This is due to various reasons such as many international
students depends on scholarships as they come from poor backgrounds, lack of government
loans to international students, higher tuition fees and increase in the cost of exchange
rates. Due to financial problems, international students tend to have accommodation
problems, inconvenient transport, lack of basic needs and poor academic performance.
Other than that, international students often lack jobs due to visa regulations and those
who are lucky to get low wages jobs are discriminated and poorly paid. Other than that,
international students usually have poor quality health and mental problems associated
with financial problems. However, international students can obtain fund from donors,
scholarship, private loans and employment from the university. The government should
develop strategies and policies that increase opportunities for employment of international
students in order to help them cater to their needs.
10

References
1. Gebhard EdD JG. International Students’ Adjustment Problems and Behaviors. J Int
Students [Internet]. 2012;2(2):184–93. Available from:
https://colorado.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/
1355249298?accountid=14503%5Cnhttp://rp8jq9jy4s.search.serialssolutions.com/?
ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&ctx_enc=info:ofi/enc:UTF-8&rfr_id=info:sid/
ProQ:education&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:
2. Çetin Y, Bahar M, Griffiths C. International Students’ Views on Local Culture: Turkish
Experience. J Int Students [Internet]. 2017;7(3):2166–3750. Available from:
http://jistudents.org/
3. Talebloo B, Baki R. Challenges Faced by International Postgraduate Students during
their First Year of Studies. Int J Humanit Soc Sci. 2013;3(13):138–45.
4. Baharak Talebloo RBB. Multicultural Benefits and Challenges for International
Students during Period of Their Study: Case Study in Malaysia. J Educ Heal Community
Psychol. 2015;4(1):42–54.
5. Campbell I, Boese M, Tham JC. Inhospitable workplaces? International students and
paid work in food services: Aust J Soc Issues. 2016;51(3):279–98.
6. Huhn D, Junne F, Zipfel S, Duelli R, Resch F, Herzog W, et al. International medical
students--a survey of perceived challenges and established support services at
medical faculties. GMS Zeitschrift für medizinische Ausbildung [Internet].
2015;32(1):Doc9. Available from:
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?
artid=4330639&tool=pmcentrez&rendertype=abstract
7. Saleh D, Camart N, Romo L. Predictors of stress in college students. Vol. 8, Frontiers in
Psychology. 2017.
8. Richardson T, Elliott P, Roberts R, Jansen M. A Longitudinal Study of Financial
Difficulties and Mental Health in a National Sample of British Undergraduate
Students. Community Ment Health J. 2017;53(3):344–52.
9. Mahfoodh OHA. Oral academic discourse socialisation: Challenges faced by
international undergraduate students in a Malaysian public University. Int Educ Stud.
2014;7(2).
11