The Yarn

Rules have been following us from the moment we were born. Children follow the rules set by parents, students follow the rules set by schools, workers follow the rules set by companies, and citizens follow the laws set by governments.

But what happens when international students face rules in different countries and cultures?

This week on Subclass 500, Xuyang Liu investigates the stories of two international students who feel trapped by rules and explores the deeper relationship between rules and the individual.

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This episode explores long-distance relationships for international students. Part one is about the problems faced by a couple who are dating long distance. The second part introduces the phenomenon of life partners based on the story of a Melbourne-based Chinese student's relationship.

Credits:

Series Producer: Yuxuan Liu 
Senior Producer: Songyu Wu, Xuyang Liu
Host: Cissy
Sound Design: Elliot Rodriguez
Design and Social Media: Ruofeng Ning & Wen Yang
Executive Producer: Sami Shah

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The number of international students in Australia is rapidly increasing, and some of them want to stay here to work and live. But they will face various difficulties and challenges. They have all put in a lot of effort. However, their future is still uncertain. The first interviewee, Michael Zhao, studies engineering and will graduate at the end of this year. He is very dissatisfied with the employment environment in his own country and is considering better education for the next generation. He wants to stay in Australia, but he is worried that it’s difficult to find a job after graduation due to his working experience. He got an internship opportunity, but the company is far from home, he even spent over 3 hours on the way to the company. The second interviewee is Arthur Chen, whose major is Arts. However, he has not yet found a job and is waiting for a working visa. He doesn't like the fierce competition among young people in his country. However, he felt that the Australian working visa didn’t bring him any advantages. Moreover, his long-distance relationship makes him upset. The third interviewee, Shell Wang, graduated in 2011 and currently works for an investment company. Before, she did copywriting work in a small company with a low salary. After quitting, she spent hard months to find a new job. But her working visa is about to expire. She wants to continue working here, so she is considering applying for a new visa. However, the Australian visa policy often changes, which makes her worried. Finally, Dr Yu Tao analyses the difficulties and reasons faced by international students.

Topic #1 [0:00] Michael Zhao’s story: his incredible internship experience, and his reasons why he wants to stay in Australia.
Topic #2 [4:21] Arthur Chen’s story: he can’t find a job at this stage, he feels a working visa is not helpful for him, and the long-distance relationship bothered him.
Topic #3 [8:18] Shell Wang’s story: she had a hard period of time when she just graduated, although she has a stable job now, she worries about her future visa.
Topic #4 [11:43] Dr Yu Tao’s explanation

News articles

Resource #1: https://www.afr.com/policy/health-and-education/life-is-about-to-get-tougher-for-the-record-1m-foreign-students-here-20230711-p5dnd4
Resource #2: https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/australia-must-join-global-race-to-settle-international-students-20221216-p5c70u
Resource #3: https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/international-graduates-earn-substantially-less-than-other-graduates-heres-by-how-much/17zkvb249
Resource #4: https://www.sbs.com.au/language/hindi/en/podcast-episode/australian-immigration-victoria-opens-its-skilled-migration-program-for-2023-24/yjfhytpwh

Email address

[email protected]

Credits:

Series Producer: Yuxuan Liu 
Senior Producer: Songyu Wu, Xuyang Liu
Host: Cissy
Sound Design: Elliot Rodriguez
Design and Social Media: Ruofeng Ning & Wen Yang
Executive Producer: Sami Shah

[email protected]

Theme music is "Political Test" by Igor Dvorkin (PRS) | Ellie Kidd (PRS). Audio Rights Network Limited.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When international students first set foot in Melbourne, they often feel alienated due to the absence of a sense of home and may feel apprehensive due to the cultural differences. They yearn for resonance and familiarity. In this episode, two Chinese students join the university's Chinese martial arts club, while another student from China blends Chinese music with various other genres. An Indonesian student, on the other hand, joins the Indonesian society to promote the culture of traditional Indonesian festivals within the school. Through their involvement in diverse communities and the pursuit of their passions and professional interests, they not only find joy but also showcase their native cultures to the multicultural city of Melbourne. Meanwhile, local Australian students discuss how they have come to embrace the cultures of other countries. For international students, such acceptance and appreciation from their peers can be the greatest source of encouragement.

Topic#1[2:18] Barry’s music story

Topic#2[6:08] Sany’s story

Topic#3[7:12] Unimelb Chinese wushu club story

Resources

Unimelb orientation week

https://students.unimelb.edu.au/new-students/melbourne-orientation

Interviewees

Barry: a Chinese international student studying music projection and composition and the Australia Institute of Music.

Sany: An Indonesian international student at Unimelb

Pakto: a Chinese international student of the Chinese Wushu Kongfu Club at Unimelb

Changfa: a Chinese international student of the Chinese Wushu Kongfu Club at Unimelb

Nathaniel: an Australian student of the Chinese Wushu Kongfu Club at Unimelb

contact email

Yuxuan Liu: [email protected]

Credits:

Series Producer: Yuxuan Liu 
Senior Producer: Songyu Wu, Xuyang Liu
Host: Cissy
Sound Design: Elliot Rodriguez
Design and Social Media: Ruofeng Ning & Wen Yang
Executive Producer: Sami Shah

[email protected]

Theme music is "Political Test" by Igor Dvorkin (PRS) | Ellie Kidd (PRS). Audio Rights Network Limited.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Subclass 500, Elliot Rodriguez speaks with fellow international students about struggles with language barriers. At the University of Melbourne professors are strict about translation rules for assignments, making it even harder for some students to do their assessments. However, the language barrier doesn't just affect non-native English speakers, Elliot discovers throughout the episode that he too has faced similar problems with the Australian accent since arriving from Miami, Florida.

Contact:

Elliot Rodriguez : [email protected]

Credits:

Series Producer: Yuxuan Liu 
Senior Producer: Songyu Wu, Xuyang Liu
Host: Cissy
Sound Design: Elliot Rodriguez
Design and Social Media: Ruofeng Ning & Wen Yang
Executive Producer: Sami Shah

[email protected]

Theme music is "Political Test" by Igor Dvorkin (PRS) | Ellie Kidd (PRS). Audio Rights Network Limited.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the rule changes that make hard to earn a living, to the challenges of a long-distance relationship, from the freedoms of being a woman in Australia, to the cage made by paperwork designed to keep you out, all while learning to speak in a new language. These are some of challenges faced by international students at the University of Melbourne, and this is a podcast revealing those stories.seven-part series coming very soon from the Centre for Advancing Journalism. Episode 1 will be released on October 20. 

Credits:

Series Producer: Yuxuan Liu 
Senior Producer: Songyu Wu, Xuyang Liu
Host: Cissy
Sound Design: Elliot Rodriguez
Design and Social Media: Ruofeng Ning & Wen Yang
Executive Producer: Sami Shah

[email protected]

Theme music is "Political Test" by Igor Dvorkin (PRS) | Ellie Kidd (PRS). Audio Rights Network Limited.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the first time in four years, Australia is facing an El Nino — a weather pattern that can cause extreme heat. 

These increased temperatures would make Bendigo especially vulnerable to droughts. But an adaptation plan to restore the region’s waterways will provide a much-needed safeguard.   

Today, we’re bringing you an interview with journalist Sasha Gattermayr about her reporting on Bendigo’s waterways. Her article was co-published by The Citizen and The Bendigo Advertiser. It’s part of an ongoing Regional Reporting project focused on Greater Bendigo, or Dja Dja Wurrung Country.  

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This weekend, millions of Australians will vote on whether to enshrine an Indigenous voice to Parliament in the constitution.  

 
For most young Australians, it will be their first ever referendum. It’s also the first to take place in the era of social media — and misinformation has been rife.  

Today, we’re taking a break from our Regional Reporting series to bring you a special report on the referendum from CAJ journalist Gwen Liu. She spoke to University of Melbourne Students about how they’re making an informed decision. 

This report was produced and edited by Gwen Liu. Sami Shah was the supervising producer. 

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Fires and droughts are only the flashpoints of rising temperatures. Heat-induced health issues, though less conspicuous, are also a risk.  

Bendigo’s socio-economic landscape makes it especially vulnerable to this creeping problem, and its residents are suffering — both physically and mentally. 

Today, we’re bringing you an interview with CAJ student Jerome Des Preaux about his reporting on health and heat. His article was co-published by The Citizen and The Bendigo Advertiser. It’s part of an ongoing Regional Reporting project focused on Greater Bendigo, or Dja Dja Wurrung Country.  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we’re investigating a controversial strategy to control Bendigo’s pests by reintroducing an apex predator — the dingo. 

It’s a response to Victoria’s growing Kangaroo population, which has increased by approximately one million since 2017.  

The national icon is decimating crops, causing car accidents, and destroying ecosystems. Hundreds of thousands are culled by hunters every year, but critics say this ignores the root of the problem, and Bendigo is now considering a more innovative solution. 

In today's episode, you'll hear from Jade Murray about her reporting on the controversial proposal. Her article was co-published by The Citizen and The Bendigo Advertiser and is part of an ongoing Regional Reporting project focused on Greater Bendigo, or Dja Dja Wurrung Country.  

Show notes:

Jade's article on the Bendigo Advertiser

Jade's article on The Citizen

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.