The Philippine Consulate in South Australia hosted its first-ever in-person welcome session for Filipino international students in Adelaide as the number of students from the Philippines continues to grow in the region. The International Education Data and Research from the Federal Government’s Department of Education indicates that the Philippines remains among the top 10 source countries for international students in South Australia, with approximately 890 students enrolled by the end of 2022.
Consulate’s Support for Filipino International Students
Consul Carmen Garcia emphasised the importance of providing economic and social support to Filipino students, helping them navigate challenges such as culture shock, securing part-time jobs, finding accommodation, and understanding unfamiliar systems. The consulate’s support supplements the safe settlement and pastoral care that educational institutions primarily provide.
“There are needs and support many international students require, and this is where I believe our Consular Office can play a pivotal role in facilitating connections to the community.” Consul Garcia said.
Over 65 students attended the welcome session, most of whom had been in South Australia for less than six months. The event featured a traditional Filipino lunch, a presentation on the consulate’s services, and a discussion on the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) for students transitioning to Australian temporary visas.
Consul Garcia reminded students that migration has always played a key role in Australia’s history and will continue to be a strong feature of our nation’s future, especially with the Department of Home Affairs’ current review into “A Migration System for Australia’s Future”.
Challenges Faced by Filipino International Students
Students shared their experiences and challenges, expressing gratitude for the support and connections provided by the consulate. Many attendees had expected to find their ideal jobs quickly but were disappointed due to limited availability, lack of local experience, and inadequate connections.
“I have applied for hundreds of jobs but was unsuccessful even though I have years of experience in the Philippines. This has affected my mental health negatively,” one attendee said.
“My migration agent told me there are many jobs here, and it will be easy to find work, but this is not the case as I have no local experience and so it was starting to feel very hopeless for me – now I have these new connections through my consul I feel hopeful again,” another attendee said.
Consul Garcia addressed the need for migration agents to be cautious and mindful of the information and promises given to Filipinos wanting to study abroad. According to the consul, overstating opportunities can negatively impact the health and wellbeing of those pursuing studies and careers overseas.
“I was saddened to hear so many reports of feeling isolated, lonely, and a sense of hopelessness which had a direct impact on their health and wellbeing,” Consul Garcia said.
Consulate’s Role in Supporting Filipino International Students
The consulate also connected students with local community services, such as job support from the Community Corporate team. Attendees provided positive feedback, requesting that the welcome session be held annually and suggesting ongoing networking events.
Positive Feedback from Attendees
Here are just a few of the responses from the attendees:
“Very happy I attended the session today! I did not know that there are companies like Community Corporate that help international students like me.”
“Would love to participate in the job support programs of Community Corporate as I want to understand the Australian working environment and also paper works.”
“The information was very helpful as I am very new in Australia and don’t know where to start.”
The Consulate team received further positive feedback from the students, who emphasised this was the first opportunity to connect with the local community and each other from a cultural lens. The students agreed that a welcome session should be held yearly and asked for ongoing networking events, if possible:
“Can we do this next time? I have friends who wanted to attend but had other prior engagements.”
“It is a good feeling that the Filipino community is welcoming us. It is something we appreciate, especially starting our lives in a new environment and country.”
“Very informative and warm session. Thank you for the support.”
It was also a learning experience for the Consulate team, with Consul Garcia only commencing her appointment to this office in March 2022.
“I am proud to have taken the initiative to bring our Filipino international students together and see a role we can play to ensure they make the most of this opportunity in South Australia,” Consul Garcia said.
Consulate’s Commitment to Supporting Filipino International Students
Consul Garcia expressed pride in the initiative and her commitment to supporting Filipino international students in South Australia. The event provided valuable insights into how the consulate can assist students in making local connections, accessing job opportunities, and receiving health and wellbeing support.
“I am so heartened by the feedback and appreciation from the students and remain firm in my commitment to playing an ongoing role to ensure they no longer feel like stateless citizens and that the Philippine Consulate is here to help them throughout this journey,” Consul Carmen said.
