General News
18 February, 2022
JCU celebrates the return of international students
ON Monday, James Cook University welcomed 60 new international students into their Cairns campus for the beginning of orientation week after two years of COVID-19 disruptions.
Another 120 returning international students are joining this cohort – some of whom had stayed in Australia and others that continued their studies externally.
JCU’s International Director Clare Magee said they were thrilled to have international students back on campus.
“The resilience and determination shown by these students as they waited patiently to come to Australia is impressive,” Ms Magee said.
“We’re excited to have them back, and we know the Cairns community will give them a warm welcome.
“We have had the opportunity to refine a lot of courses over the recent months, organise new events, new support activities, welcome the students at the airport and roll out the red carpet for them.”
Ms Magee said that JCU would see even more international students return as the international borders restrictions ease even more.
“We have a good number of students, almost comparable to 2019,” she said.
“But we’re expecting an even bigger influx in the second semester.
“We’re excited that the arrival of international students coincides with the February 21 tourism borders opening because it also means that international students will be able to contribute to the Cairns community through taking some of those job positions that will become available.”
International student, Carmen Bittner from Germany, said she is excited to start her Nursing degree at JCU. “It was a childhood dream to come to Australia,” Ms Bittner said.
“When I was seven years old, my parents took me on holiday to Australia, and since then, I always wanted to come back, live close to the Great Barrier Reef, and now I got a job at the reef, and I get to live around campus.
“It’s almost weird to be around other international students; during the pandemic, everyone was very distant, so it’s good to see people coming back and coming together.”
Ms Bittner said that it was very pleasant to return to face-to-face learning.
“With the masks and all the protocols, it feels very distant, but I think it’s very nice to see people again,” she said.
“I feel like everybody who has studied online last year must have felt a bit lonely not having their fellow students around them.
“So, it’s good to meet new people and get out there again.” International student from India, Harman Singh, arrived in Cairns a month ago and will start his Master’s degree in Social Work at JCU.
“It was my dream to come to Australia,” Mr Singh said.
“I wanted to do this course in 2020, and I ended up having to wait two years until the borders opened.
“Cairns is one of the most beautiful parts of Australia, you get to see the Great Barrier Reef and the tropical rainforest, so, its a blessing for any student to be a part of JCU and get to explore Cairns.”
The JCU staff share the excitement with the international students for their return; Ms Magee said their presence contributes significantly to the university community.
“It’s really heart-warming, and it’s really important,” she said.
“International students bring a diversity of culture and thinking into our classrooms, and our domestic students benefit from hearing these new ideas from all around the world.”
