A unique program that helps international students gain work experience, make friends and connect with their community won first prize at an education awards ceremony in Sydney on September 15.
The International Student Leadership and Ambassador (ISLA) program, run by the City of Sydney, was launched last year to provide training, mentoring and practical work experience to 41 international students.
The program won first prize in the community engagement category of the 2014 NSW International Student Awards held at the Sydney Opera House.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the City was committed to providing support to the international student community, to help them make the most of their experience in Sydney.
“More than 10,000 international students live in our local area, and 38,000 international students study on campuses in the inner city,” the Lord Mayor said.
“These students make a significant contribution to Sydney’s prosperity and play a crucial role in enhancing our cultural diversity and global connections.
“The City’s inaugural ISLA program provided support to 41 students from 18 countries and 11 educational institutions. The program not only improved their study experience in Sydney, but ensured this important group has a voice in the community.”
The City launched the two-year program to create opportunities for international students to better integrate and learn about local culture, and to break down language barriers and social isolation.
Participants said the key benefits of the program were being able to develop connections with other international students (84 per cent) and build networks and make friends locally (79 per cent). More than half of all students said the program helped them find work in Sydney.
Participant Bhavini Dattani said the training and experiences she gained through the ISLA program were “invaluable”.
“One of the richest experiences an international student can have is to interact with other students from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds, and to experience the culture and life of Sydney,” Ms Dattani said.
“ISLA has definitely enabled me and my fellow international student ambassadors to get involved. Through ISLA we have also made connections both personally and professionally. It’s given me a platform to represent myself, and skills that are useful in the various fields I encounter.”
ISLA will soon be recruiting its next cohort of international student ambassadors.
For more information, visit cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/community/community-support/international-students
The 2014 NSW International Student Awards were presented by StudyNSW and the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet to celebrate the contribution international students make to the community.
