The intake of fee paying students has almost invariably been spelled out as beneficial in economic terms. Little thought has been given to more subtle benefits that will accrue eventually as those students mature and often secure powerful and influential positions on return to their countries. If they feel good about their time in Australia that sense of rapport will remain for life. Cultural differences create a lack of inclusion by the host society and a loss of sense of harmony among students with their host environment. This results in loneliness, lack of support and mental health issues such as depression and feeling life is too difficult.
In a focus group with International students the students were asked what they liked about Australia and what types of social difficulties they faced after arrival. The male students described a sense of awe and shock at being in this beautiful country “I thought I had landed in heaven” one student said. “It was like seeing extremely beautiful girls at check-out counters and in the streets”; and a female student described having difficulties in adjusting to the fast pace of life; social isolation and mental depression and not knowing how to deal with it. The male students described difficulty adjusting to having to do household chores and the female student described dismay at having to take care of all the household chores in share accommodation with their male class mates. Students described surprise at being told that copying school work was not allowed whereas in their home country this was accepted as a given. This discussion formed the basis of