Rodriguez was a former international student majoring in law and global studies at Sydney University of Science and Technology. (photo by Sydney Morning Herald)
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, according to a report released today by the Melbourne Centre for higher Education Research (Melbourne Centre for the Study of Higher Education), "Australian University students Financial Survey 2017" (Universities Australia Student Finances Survey 2017), last year, 1/7 of college students are often deprived of food and necessities.
The survey of more than 18500 students across Australia found that even though the overall financial situation of students improved slightly, it was because they cut spending, not income.
Rodriguez (Daniel Rodriguez) was one of them. Full-time study, working 30 hours a week, and having to attend unpaid internships, put him on the brink of collapse.
Rodriguez is a former undergraduate student in (University of Technology Sydney) law and global studies at Sydney University of Science and Technology. "in college, I can only take three courses at most, because I have to work 20 hours a week for 30 hours. The cost of a law course is very expensive. " He said。
Rodr í guez, now an Australian citizen, said the burden of academic stress and unpaid internships to be hired after graduation had left him in trouble last year and his scores had fallen.
"I had a mental breakdown and I couldn`t do anything. With the help of my family and friends, I finally got on with my studies. In that semester, half of the subjects I couldn`t do was fail. " He also lost his eligibility to apply for the welfare department`s (Centrelink) benefits subsidy because he had to retake the failing course.
In addition to students like Rodriguez, the survey also found that aboriginal students, as well as students from disadvantaged socio-economic families and rural areas, were more likely to worry about their finances.
Jackson (Catriona Jackson), chief executive of the Australian University Alliance (Universities Australia), said the financial woes were affecting students` education, with many postponing their studies or cutting back on registered subjects for financial reasons.
"full-time students live on A $18000 a year, well below the poverty line. Our students need basic financial security and stable conditions to play their best. But for many students from disadvantaged groups, this is not the case. " She said.
