Brisbane welcomes international students at City Welcome Festival

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

The number of international students enrolling in Brisbane has climbed once again as the city threw out the welcome mat to new students today.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said Brisbane continued to be seen as a study destination of choice for international students, with the number of enrolments rising 12 per cent to more than 85,000.

“Brisbane is increasingly being seen as a city where international students receive a superior education that opens doors for them and prepares them for the careers of their choice,” Cr Quirk said.

“We are a city that throws out the welcome mat to our international students – we offer the hand of friendship, support during their time in Brisbane, a wonderful lifestyle and a lower cost of living compared to other major cities.

“Brisbane has one of the most diverse student populations in Australia, with the largest numbers coming from China, Brazil, India, South Korea, Japan and Colombia, adding to the cultural diversity of our New World City.”

New international students were welcomed to Brisbane at the City Welcome Festival in King George Square today, where stallholders relayed information about studying and living in Brisbane and students enjoyed accompanying food and live entertainment.

Cr Quirk also officiated at the Lord Mayor’s International Student Friendship Ceremony, where he welcomed new students to Brisbane. Students received signed friendship certificates from the Lord Mayor and posed in photos with him.

Cr Quirk said the Lord Mayor’s International Student Friendship Ceremony and City Welcome Festival reinforced Brisbane’s reputation as one of Australia’s most inclusive study destinations.

“Today’s ceremony places an emphasis on offering a warm welcome to our international students and reaffirms our support in helping them to excel at their studies,” he said.

Cr Quirk said the Study Brisbane program facilitated by Brisbane Marketing aimed to enhance current international students’ stay in the city and encourage others to choose Brisbane as a study destination.

As part of the program, Brisbane’s International Student Ambassadors share their experiences of studying and living in the city with current students and prospective students, peers and families back home.

Study Brisbane also partners with graduate job-service provider Ribit to organise Student Connect events, bringing students and employers together to help facilitate career paths and employment opportunities.

Other initiatives include supporting the Brisbane Student Hub – which provides free information, advice and referrals on healthcare, employment, budget management, accommodation and legal services – and a dedicated airport welcome program that helps orientate incoming international students to Brisbane.

Additionally, Study Brisbane works with universities, state and private schools, vocational education and training providers, English language colleges and accommodation providers to promote the high standard of education in the city.

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