Thaindian News

New Delhi, Feb 16 (IANS) Three new studies released by the Australian high commission here Tuesday show that a majority of international students, including Indians, feel safe in that country even though there have been attacks, some racist, on Indians there.
“A study by JWT Education conducted in December 2009 of 1,642 international students, including 500 Indian students, found that safety rated as the number one reason they choose Australia as a study destination and Australia’s multi-culturalism and tolerance rated as the second most important reason,” a press release from the high commission said.

Another study of 513 Indian students by the Federation of Indian Associations of Victoria (FIAV) in January and February 2010 showed that an “overwhelming majority of students were happy with their decision to study in Australia”, the press release said.

“Nearly three-quarters of those polled by the federation said they felt safe in the areas where they work and study.”

“This survey demonstrates that a majority of Indian students still consider Victoria to be their destination of choice in terms of quality of the education they receive and lifestyle,” FIAV president Vasan Srinivasan said.

According to a third study by Victoria University, the majority of students found Melbourne to be a safe city though some had perceived the city as less safe than they had anticipated.

“It is important that we listen closely to the views of international students as we implement our response on this issue and we are doing that,” Australia’s High Commissioner Peter Varghese said in the statement.