9 Top Challenges Kenyan Students face Studying in Australia

International students from Kenya who choose Australia as their chosen destinations with the bid to acquire academic excellence face challenges which are common to most international students all over the world. Without a doubt, these challenges are surmountable once the requisite information and attitude are employed. Let’s x-ray some of the Top Challenges Kenyans face Studying in Australia as well as how to overcome them.

Education in Australia is rated as one of the best in the world. In world rankings, universities in Australia stand tall. This is as a result of the will exercised by the Australian government and stakeholders to ensure that education in Australia becomes a force to reckon with. Universities in Australia work day and night to ensure that academic excellence is sustained.

The top challenges Kenyan students face Studying in Australia will be considered sequentially:

• Looking after Your Mental Health

Many students face various degrees of difficulty which in turn affects their mental health. International students tend to worry about many things ranging from finance, life after the academic program, inadequacies and so on. This could pose a challenge in preventing them from attaining their full potentials academically.

How to overcome it

Students are encouraged to speak up whenever they are faced with issues. Australian universities have provision for experts in mental health. A visit to the Medical centre could be the right step in nipping this major challenge in the bud.

• Getting the right information

One of the top challenges Kenyan students face studying in Australia is delayed/lack of/inadequate information. If travel agents do not give them proper information, they get exposed to a whole lot of problems when they get into Australia. The challenges might include workplace exploitation, issues around accommodation where they might not be aware of the laws governing tenancy and tenement rates.

How to overcome it

Students are expected to conduct personal research as much as they rely on travel agents for some of this information. Students are also expected to reach out to the university via email to make inquiries. Most Australian universities are more than willing to assist with the right information. Peradventure the student has a relation, friend or an acquaintance over there, he/she can reach out to such a person for useful information.

• Academic Requirements and Expectations

Some international students could be faced with difficulties in catching up with academic demands. Some could find it difficult catching up with technological apparatus used to study and word demand from lecturers as against what obtains in their country. Australian universities expose students to critical thinking and analysis which are skills which make them stand out anywhere they go.

How to overcome it

The student is expected to have an attitude to adapt, learn and meet up to expectations. He/she is also expected to ask questions relating to activities in class which he/she has little or no understanding about.

• Financial Pressure

One of the top challenges Kenyanan students face studying in Australia is financial difficulties. This puts them under pressure to survive and meet up to expectations as students. Most times, this is as a result of financial recession affecting their country from whence financial aid comes from.

How to overcome it

This can be overcome by working as a student or taking student loans. Students who have the time and capacity to venture into a franchise can also do so to augment whatever their sponsors give them.

• Language

Although Australia has no official language, English has always been entrenched as the de facto national language. Australian English has a distinctive accent and lexicon and differs slightly from other varieties of English in grammar and spelling. Understanding the Australian accent and getting people to understand you as an international student could pose a challenge.

How to overcome it

Frequent communication and fraternizing with locals within the community and indigenes within the school will go a long way to aid your understanding of their type of English. Being willing to learn and adapt will also go a long way in giving you the right attitude needed to be able to flow with them.

• Living Conditions

International students in Australia will always have value for their money. Living conditions in Australia are such that encourage convenience, savings and the ability to have fun. However, there are conditions that could stand to be unfavourable. For instance, renting an apartment in a place far from the school. This could increase your spending.

How to overcome it

You are expected to ensure you have savings and do all that is necessary to be comfortable including researching or asking questions to find out the most affordable accommodations for international students.

• Family Pressure and the Transitioning Process

Some international students tend to be the breadwinners in their families. When it comes to financing, expectations tend to be high. This is also one of the top challenges Kenyans face studying in Australia. These students have been used to providing for the families or loved ones and as such, put themselves under a lot of pressure to send money to the family or loved ones they left behind.

How to overcome it

Such a student is to set things straight before leaving for his/her study. S/he needs to put measures in place that will ensure for sustained financial assistance to those s/he will leave behind. S/he can also take up a job in Australia but must first seek to survive before being a source of help to those left behind.

• Cultural Difference

Australian culture is distinctive though American popular culture has strongly influenced it, particularly through television and cinema. Other cultural influences come from neighbouring Asian countries, and through large-scale immigration from the non-English-speaking nations. International students most times are faced with the need to adapt, learn and embrace the new culture which could seem strange and/or novel to one’s existence.

How to overcome it

To get over this, be willing to adjust to the new way of life. Embrace it and be intentional about learning the culture. Be a part of cultural events within your community; eat their meals. Communicate with locals using their common greeting patterns. However, if you choose not to be open-minded towards their culture, you could end up being frustrated which could affect your primary objective to attain academic excellence.

• Social Difficulties and Stereotyping

African international students tend to be outgoing and fun loving people who do not give in to stereotypes. State and federal laws within Australia seem to limit the adventurous nature of some of these international students.

How to overcome it

Do well to adjust to the laws and have a resolve not to be liable for any civil wrong or criminal offense. You have the right to socialize and be dynamic in all you do. However, your engagements, actions, and indulgences must be within the bounds of the law.

Going in the direction of your dream is not always an easy road. You have to brace up for challenges that could frustrate, limit and ridicule your resolve to succeed. However, your resolve must be stronger than life to be able to surmount these challenges that studying in Australia tends to pose.