1. Homesickness and loneliness
You’re used to having your family around. You’ve left tons of friends back home. And despite the many narrow side streets, and confusing turns and intersections where you lived, you knew exactly where you were, wherever you were.
Missing home and longing for the loved ones you left behind are part of the international student's journey. Source: Getty Images/YuriF
Now everything’s new. The roads may be wider and the street signs may be clear, but your mum and dad aren’t in the other room. Your friends aren’t 15 minutes away to pick you up for dinner. You’re basically having a long distance relationship with everyone you’ve ever been close to from the Philippines.
The thought of living and studying in Australia was exhilarating, but now homesickness and loneliness constantly give you an ache you just can’t shake. You didn’t think it would be this hard; but yes, it really is this hard.
Of course when you really miss home, you can always connect with your loved ones via social media, video chat, and instant messaging. But the great news is there are support groups within your school and within the Filipino community in Australia. Reach out. Seek connections. Make friends. And while some of your new relationships and friendships will not run as deep as your tried-and-tested ones, having someone around to talk to will help.
Here are some Filipino International Student groups in Australia you can connect with:
2. Communication difficulties
"What did he say?" Source: Getty Images/Greg Gregorio / EyeEm
While ordering water in a restaurant may be something you never really had to reflect on, you start to realise that you’ve been having a five-minute discussion with the server about wanting ‘wa-ter’ until he finally nods and understands that you want ‘wah-tah’.
Our advantage as Filipinos is that a significant number of us speak English. However, our disadvantage as new arrivals in Australia is that our English has tinges of an American accent.
Rather than all-encompassing language barriers, we have to contend with accent and slang barriers.
But while you may never develop an authentic Australian accent, what you do carry with you as a Filipino is your adaptability. While people from back home may find it funny that you’ve suddenly developed a weird quasi-Australian accent, and that you now say ‘ta’ instead of ‘thanks’, it does help you get by in Australia. People will understand what you’re trying to say, and you’ll stop second-guessing whether you’re making any sense or not.
3. Financial stress
Financial stress can make you second-guess your decision to study in Australia. Source: Getty Images/JGI Jamie Gill
Not unless you come from wealth, studying abroad can put a strain on your and your family’s finances. You convert everything you buy to Philippine pesos because after all, the money you are spending in Australia was earned in peso. And while you probably didn’t think too much about bills when you were living in the Philippines, you now have to scrimp and save because everything is just way more expensive here.
This stress can make you reflect on whether or not you made the right decision to study in Australia. “Is the financial strain worth it? Should I just go home?” you ask yourself time and time again.
Fortunately, student visa holders are allowed to work a maximum of 40 hours per fortnight while classes are in session, and unlimited number of hours during breaks. While this may not solve all your financial woes, being able to work and earn money can alleviate the pressure.
4. Culture shock
We may all come from different ethnicities and backgrounds, but we all go through similar things. Source: Getty Images/altrendo images
Living abroad will make you understand that the world is actually way bigger and more diverse than you ever imagined. You’ll suddenly realise that in as much as people from back home are unique and different from one another, they’re also very much homogenous.
While Australia has a distinct culture and history, it is a multicultural country. You’ll meet different people from different races and ethnicities, with different backgrounds, values, perspectives and ways of living. There will be some whose values and perspectives run opposite yours. There are those who will challenge your beliefs. There will be times you simply can’t relate to the people you encounter.
Overcoming this challenge will be about developing a sense of empathy and assertiveness. Learn about individuals, and do away with stereotyping. As cliché as it may sound, realise that while people may have different circumstances, we all go through similar things. And learn to assert yourself. Fight. Be confident. You already know what you’re made of – after all, you were brave enough to leave the Philippines for Australia.
5. Transitioning from the academe to work life
What do you do after you graduate? Source: Getty Images/Sam Edwards
As a student, you know that transitions are inevitable. You even know the exact date when the change will occur. Graduating from your course will mean the end of your time at the academe. It will mean transitioning to work.
However, while students back home simply need to think about what kind of work they want do after graduation; as an international student, you have to think about whether or not you will be going back home, looking for work in Australia if you want to stay, or possibly extending your visa.
Discerning these thoughts isn’t simple and straightforward. You can work around some situations, but there are rules you also have to follow. There are conditions that dictate your eventual circumstances, but there are also different options that may be doable for you.
For those who decide to go back home after graduation, prepare yourself as much as you can to transition to life in the Philippines again.
For those who want to stay, work or study again in Australia, check the conditions of your current visa. While still in school, consult with a migration agent or lawyer regarding your options after graduation. It’s best to be informed and prepared.
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