Everyday People That Inspire: Changing public transport concessions with international law student, Satu Aho
FRUSTRATED by the lack of public transport concessions for international students in Victoria, Satu Aho decided to start her own campaign. Sandra Qian speaks to the law student from Finland who is fighting for a more equitable system one signature at a time.
Photo: Shaun Lee
Satu, tell us about your experience as an international student in Melbourne?
I come from Finland and I’ve lived in Melbourne for three years, first as an exchange student in 2009 and then as an international student since 2011.
I graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from La Trobe University in October and at the moment I am writing my graduate thesis to complete my Bachelor of Laws from Stockholm University. I also have a Bachelor of Political Science from Stockholm University.
Having undertaken three university degrees as an international student, I know well what life as an international student is like. I am completing my Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice in 2014 and will then seek to practice law in Victoria.
Tell us about your campaign for international student travel concessions?
The main reason behind this campaign is my frustration that nothing has changed despite years of campaigning on the issue. I was looking for a petition to sign on this matter but wasn’t able to find one. All the previous campaigns I found were closed already. Therefore I decided to start my own.
The reason why Victoria still does not provide travel discounts to international students is probably a question best answered by the politicians and the service providers. It is also a result of international students lacking a strong unified voice here in Victoria.
Fortunately, there seems to be a lot of good will among the government and universities to enhance the international student experience. We just need to find ways to make our dialogue and engagement with the government and universities stronger, in order to be part of this positive development.
Last year, a Public Transport Victoria ticket inspector asked to see my ticket on a tram in Melbourne. I showed him and mentioned that I have to pay the full fare every day despite being a student – an international student. I asked him the reason for this and whether he thought the arrangement was fair. He replied by saying the fare was justified because international students do not pay tax. I’m sure you know this is a recurring misconception among many people, and only shows how the local community too often perceives international students.
Photo: Shaun Lee
This takes me back to the issue of international students needing a more unified voice. This cannot be realised without the universities help, since they are the first point of contact for international students. Universities should be informing the students about relevant organisations such as the Australian Federation of International Students.
Fortunately, there seems to be a lot of good will among the government and universities to enhance the international student experience. We just need to find ways to make our dialogue and engagement with the government and universities stronger, in order to be part of this positive development.
In your view, what can the Victorian Government do to assist international students?
There are many issues where the Government could help international students. I’ve chosen three issues which are relatively easy for the Government to address, given the huge amount of money that international students contribute to the economy annually.
1. Transport concessions, which I’ve already mentioned. It is great to see that the Melbourne City Council is now campaigning on this issue too.
2. Government also needs to focus on the structural discrimination that many international students face by way of study requirements. In order to maintain our visa, we need to study four university subjects per semester. The study load often leaves international university students no extra time to engage in volunteer work or internships. This is especially demanding when you study in your second or third language. On the other hand, local students don’t need to conform with the minimum subject requirement, not to mention the weekly 20-hour work limit.
So when the employer compares the CV of an international student and that of a local student, you know which one will be preferred.
For instance, local law students can afford to take fewer subjects in order to engage in clerkships, internships, work and volunteering. This way their CVs are very comprehensive by the time they graduate. So when the employer compares the CV of an international student and that of a local student, you know which one will be preferred.
While there are some employers who see our international background as an asset, the reality is that many companies and organisations still do not take interns or employees without permanent residency. Tax relief for companies and organisations hiring international students would be a win-win situation; it would help companies spread their global networks and expertise, while helping international students commit to Australia’s professional work life. Increasing the number of state-funded scholarships would be another solution.
Photo: Shaun Lee
3. The Government should also raise students’ awareness of their rights and obligations in Australia by informing them of the legal services which are available. I have found myself advising my peers on tenancy disputes and workplace conflicts, as some of them did not know their basic rights. Informing students of the existing organisations which can be of assistance is crucial.
Universities alongside Government could inform arriving international students more of the organisations that might be of importance to them. While they have an understanding about most of the issues that international students face, they seem to lack an understanding of how to equip students with the necessary information.
International students represent a valuable link to the rest of the world and Australia must recognise this as a major player in the international education sector.
Giving them concrete leads and contacts would be very informative, instead of broad references on websites. Perhaps pamphlets about basic rights relating to tenancy, employment, law and order would be good.
In addition, it would be imperative for the Government to maintain a legal counselling service which is independent of the universities.
Students are constantly looking elsewhere and comparing student life in other countries. Unless Australia does more to engage with international students, it will lose enrolments in the future. International students represent a valuable link to the rest of the world and Australia must recognise this as a major player in the international education sector.
To support Satu’s cause, you can sign her petition, ‘International students need public transport concession too!’.
Do you know someone who has an inspiring story to tell? We’d love to feature them in our ‘Everyday People That Inspire’ series! Email meld@meldmagazine.com.au and tell us who you would like to nominate and why.