Coronavirus: Cairns-based international students to get help amid COVID-19 crisis

International students living in the Far North and away from their family and support networks amid COVID-19, will be given vital support.

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International students living in the Far North and away from their family and support networks amid COVID-19 are to be given support.

With international education ordinarily bringing more than $166 million into the region, Study Cairns has launched new initiative ‘Cairns Cares’.

The program will run through the Cairns Student Hub and offer support to the international student community by providing food, local support buddies and HubTV to keep students informed and connected during isolation.

Cairns student exchange company Banora International Group is celebrating 20 years of business. Managing Director Janine Bowmaker in the firm's Grafton Street office. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

Study Cairns president Janine Bowmaker said many students were struggling to meet basic living expenses after having lost local tourism and hospitality jobs.

She said they were also unable to access government financial assistance, nor able to return to their home countries.

“The international student industry is a very large economic benefit for our region,” she said

“We have been communicating with all of the international students through our student hub over the past few weeks and there’s a lot of concern there.

“A lot of students are really scared about how they are going to feed themselves.

“We also have the issue of students feeling lost and disorientated and really alone.

“These students are in a foreign country without their family and friends, there’s nothing more frightening in my opinion.”

International students studying and living in Cairns is a growing sector of the tourism markets. Fang Srisantisuk of Thailand, Cristian Guerrero of Colombia, Diemes Alves Pereira of Brazil and Elizabeth Martinez from Peru prepare for an English test at the Study Cairns student hub in Lake Street. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

Study Cairns is reaching out to the wider community to help offer adequate support to the students by using the hashtag #CairnsCares.

Business operators and individuals are invited to help in any way they can by donating fresh food, non-perishable food or gift vouchers, offering to pay for meals to feed an international student, or offering food to students from your own restaurant.

All donations can be made via the Cairns Student Hub (Shop 2, 93-105 Lake St).

“(International students) paid a lot of money to be here so they’re not in a position to just turn around and go home,” Mrs Bowmaker said.

“They also feel quite disconnected from our community and we need to bring that back.

“I just want our international students to know that they are so welcome here and we are here to assist and help them as much as possible.”

Originally published as Coronavirus: Cairns-based international students to get help amid COVID-19 crisis