Australia is the most preferred destination for many international students who are studying in the country,a new study has claimed after focusing on aspects like safety,employment prospects rather than the cost of the course. An online survey conducted last December by JWT Education - a division of one of the world's largest advertising and marketing agencies,revealed that 63 per cent of the 1,642 undergraduate and postgraduate students surveyed said Australia was their first choice. Less than a decade ago in 2000,Australia was the first choice of about 49 per cent of the students surveyed. In 2009,the factor most likely to be taken into consideration when choosing a country by around three quarters of respondents - was the quality of the education,with perceptions of the quality of Australia's education. In the 2005 study,cost considerations had been foremost in students' decision making criteria but these factors ranked much lower in 2009. Employment and migration considerations have also increased in importance. Safety is also a significant factor that 64 per cent of students had taken into consideration while nearly 47 per cent had also considered whether the country was was open to accepting different cultures. Managing Partner of JWT Education,Allison Doorbar said,"Overall,the findings point to a shifting set of considerations among international students in their selection of which country to study." While students used to come to Australia because it represented a cheaper option than going to the UK or the US,these days it appears that they are taking a more considered approach and choosing to come to Australia for overall lifestyle reasons,Doorbar said. Ian Young,Vice-Chancellor of Swinburne University of Technology said,"Universities have responded to recent concern about student safety with a number of initiatives. Swinburne,in partnership with several other universities,is launching an emergency after hours helpline for international students." "However,it was pleasing to see that most surveyed students said they felt safe in and around campus and in their local community,and the majority disagreed that Australia is becoming a more dangerous place for international students to study and live," Young said. The hepline will allow students to easily access services such as doctors,legal practitioners and counsellors.
