International student numbers jump to record levels on the Gold Coast

STUDY is the latest drawcard for the Gold Coast as Southern Cross University sees international student numbers jump to record levels this month.

International students Sze Chun Li, Shi Ren, Yuyan Liang and Fei Zhao are just some of the hundreds arriving on the Gold Coast to study. Picture: Jerad Williams

SURF, sun and sand have been traditional drawcards globally for the Gold Coast, but now study is bringing more students than ever.

This month Southern Cross University at Coolangatta has seen a record intake of 500 international students, with some degrees jumping from just six students to 200.

The university says new engineering, information technology and allied health degrees launched earlier this year were proving to be major drawcards for students coming here from Asia, Europe and North and South America, blowing previous records out of the water.

According to Southern Cross University vice-president (global) Monty Singh, next year’s numbers are also on the rise.

Rajendra Dhakal and Arun Paudel from Nepal have joined hundreds of other students on the Gold Coast this year. Picture: Jerad Williams

“This is a case of exponential growth in our international student numbers and it has come by design, not by accident,” he said.

However, for tourism student Eric Tian-jin, it was the Gold Coast name that proved to be a drawcard when exploring international study options.

“I come from the area in Hong Kong called Gold Coast, so it was meaningful to study here at the Gold Coast also,” he said.

Like other foreign students, Mr Tian-jin lives in budget accommodation close to the campus and spends time when he is not studying soaking up the Gold Coast sun and heading to the beach.

Having arrived only three months ago, he and his Chinese friends said they wanted to be invited to a “real’’ Australian party before they leave.

The Chinese students said they were expected to study long hours every day back home, so admitted they were spending a little less time at the desk than they let on to their parents.

For Sze Chun Li, Shi Ren, Yuyan Liang and Fei Zhao the relaxed atmosphere was the real draw to study on the Gold Coast. Picture: Jerad Williams

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“At Chinese colleges you have much more homework. Here you can learn to study by yourself,” Mr Tian-jin laughed.

Arun Paudel, from Nepal, who is also getting used to the climate, said it was a new masters degree in engineering management and also business administration that was the drawcard for him.

“I like the idea of being able to be both an engineer and businessman,” he said.

There were only six students in the class when the degree was launched at Southern Cross 12 months ago, but the university has now welcomed about 200 new international students to the program.

In total, more than 300 students are now enrolled in the two-year degree.