Asian International Students of Australia - AISA

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Asian International Students of Australia - AISA Asian International Students of Australia (AISA) is an Incorporated Not-for-Profit Association in the state of New South Wales, Australia.

Our mission is to unite and connect Asian International Students of Australia to support each other.

07/08/2026

*Weekend Ka Var*

Dear Students,

There is one thing I want all of you to remember: in Australia, you must learn to stand on your own. Yes, your community is here, people will help you, and support is available. But when it comes to your life and your future, you are the one who has to make the decisions.

*Every morning, say these two things to yourself:*

1. Bring it on.
2. Nobody is coming.

These two sentences will remind you to stay strong and take responsibility for your life. No matter how successful you become, the important decisions will always be yours. Some decisions will be right, some will be wrong, but every decision will teach you something. If your decision didn't produce positive results...do not overthink...or regret.

The biggest strength you can have in this country is *self-motivation*. Don't wait for someone else to push you. *Push yourself.*

Whatever you do, give it your best. Whether it's studying, working, washing dishes, or doing gardening, do it with 200% effort. That attitude will take you a long way.

Also, *be proud of what you have achieved.* Don't compare yourself with others. Someone may have a bigger car, a better job, or more money, or progressing faster but that doesn't reduce your achievements. If you have come here, survived the challenges, and are moving forward, you have already achieved a lot.

Finally, *love yourself.* Don't worry if you are short, tall, overweight, dark-skinned, losing your hair, or look different from others. Be proud of who you are. Real friends will accept you as you are.

Remember, motivation from videos or other people may last for a short time, but *self-love and self-motivation will stay with you for life.*

So every morning, wake up, smile, and say:

*"Bring it on."*

Be proud of yourself, believe in yourself, and keep moving forward.

Have a lovely Weekend

05/08/2026

Dear Students,

We have received a number of reports, especially from *female students*, about incidents of *sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour* at both workplaces and rental accommodations. This is a serious issue, and we want everyone to be aware of it.

One common situation is where a rental property is advertised, and because you are new to Australia, you naturally trust the people you are living with. Everything may seem normal in the beginning, but after some time, the situation can change. Some people may start making unwanted advances, pressure you to drink alcohol, invite you to clubs against your wishes, or behave in ways that make you feel uncomfortable or unsafe.

Unfortunately, some individuals try to take advantage of international students because they believe they are unfamiliar with the system or may be afraid to speak up. They may even try to intimidate or threaten you, hoping you will remain silent. Many victims also hesitate to report such incidents due to social pressure or fear of being judged.

Please remember that *you do not have to tolerate this behaviour.* If you experience sexual harassment, inappropriate conduct, intimidation, or feel unsafe at your workplace or in your accommodation, you have every right to report it.

*You can seek help from:*

- The police
- Your university's student support and wellbeing services
- Government support services and sexual assault helplines, which are available free of charge

Most of these services can easily be found through a Google search or by contacting your university.

Most importantly, *reporting sexual harassment or assault will not affect your visa, permanent residency (PR), or immigration status.* If you have done nothing wrong, you should never be afraid to seek help.

Your *safety, dignity, and wellbeing are far more important than staying silent.* If something doesn't feel right, trust your instincts, speak to someone you trust, and report it. There are people and organisations in Australia who are ready to support you.

05/08/2026

Dear Students,

A scam has recently come to our notice involving a restaurant being advertised for sale. We recognised the restaurant because we know the owner, but it reminded me of another scam that has been targeting international students for many years—the fake rental scam.

You may come across rental advertisements on Facebook showing beautiful, modern rooms at prices much lower than the market rate. It looks like a great deal, so you contact the advertiser. They respond, answer your questions, and arrange an inspection.

However, on the day of the inspection, just as you're getting ready, they message you saying that someone else has already inspected the property and is about to pay the deposit. They then tell you that if you transfer the deposit immediately, they will reserve the property for you instead.

Naturally, you ask for proof. They send you a rental agreement, copies of their driver's licence, identification, and other documents. Everything looks completely genuine. If you're still overseas or living in another city, it's easy to believe them because they have provided what appears to be all the necessary paperwork.

Once you transfer the deposit, they disappear. Their Facebook profile is deleted, they stop responding, and you realise you've been scammed. Even if you report the matter to the police and provide copies of the documents they sent, recovering your money can be very difficult.

Please remember: Never pay a single dollar as a deposit unless you, or someone you trust, has physically inspected the property. No matter how genuine the documents look or how attractive the deal seems, don't transfer any money until the property has been verified.

Please stay alert and share this message with your friends to help prevent others from becoming victims.

“One of the biggest mistakes many international students make is migrating without truly understanding what they are get...
12/06/2026

“One of the biggest mistakes many international students make is migrating without truly understanding what they are getting into.”

They see the destination…
but not the sacrifices behind the journey.

Late-night shifts, rising expenses, homesickness, cultural shock, study pressure, loneliness, and the constant struggle to balance survival with dreams — these are realities nobody shows on social media.

Migration is not just changing countries.
It is changing your entire lifestyle, mindset, comfort zone, and sometimes even your identity.

The dream is absolutely possible…
but preparation is just as important as passion. 🌏✨

10/06/2026

*Communication Skills Matter – Especially for International Students 🇦🇺🎓*

I have noticed that many international students, especially those who have not yet arrived in Australia, have very poor communication etiquette when messaging people for the first time.

I often receive messages like:

❌ “Hey bro, add me to the group.” ❌ “Hi, I’m an international student, add me.” ❌ “Can you send me the photos?” ❌ “I’m interested in the job.”

This is not the correct way to communicate professionally or respectfully.

When you contact someone for the *first time*, please introduce yourself properly. A simple and polite message creates a very different impression.

✅ Example:

“Hello, my name is xyz. I am an incoming international student at UOW. I came across your post regarding accommodation and would like to get more information. Thank you.”

Or:

“Hi, my name is Xyz. I am joining UOW this semester and would like to be part of the international student group if possible. Thanks and regards.”

These small things matter a lot.

Please understand: 👉 Communication skills are part of your personality. 👉 Etiquettes reflect your upbringing and professionalism. 👉 Employers, landlords, and even normal people judge you from the way you communicate.

If someone cannot communicate properly on WhatsApp or messages, people may assume the same behavior will continue in real life interviews, workplaces, and professional environments.

Whether you are talking to: 👨‍👩‍👧 Parents 👴 Elders 👨‍🏫 Teachers 👔 Employers 👥 Group admins 📱 Or anyone online

Always start properly: 🙏 Hello 🙏 Namaste 🙏 Sat Sri Akal 🙏 Salam Alaikum

And end politely: ✅ Thank you ✅ Regards ✅ Appreciate your help

Also, when someone replies or helps you, acknowledge it. A simple “Thank you” costs nothing.

Remember: 💬 Messaging etiquette is the same as face-to-face etiquette. The mode of communication may be digital, but respect and manners should remain the same.

Please improve these habits early. They will help you throughout your life, career, and relationships. 🌏✨

03/06/2026

*Long Weekend Ka War*

A lot of students message us about delays in getting permanent residency, visas, jobs, and settlement in Australia.

*My advice is simple:* don't put your life on a *strict timeline.*

Many people arrive with the *expectation that everything will happen within one, two, or three years*. Unfortunately, that's not how life works. Life is a journey, and migration is one of the biggest journeys you will ever undertake.

Things are becoming more *difficult every year.* Twenty or twenty-five years ago, the process was much simpler. There was less competition, fewer people, and regulations were designed to help people follow the system. Today, with increasing migration and population growth, governments are constantly tightening rules to close loopholes and prevent misuse. As a result, everything takes longer.

If you are going through a difficult phase right now, remember that it is part of the journey.

My biggest concern is not whether you have your dream job, dream car, or dream house today. Those things will come with time. The important thing is that your bills are paid, you can support yourself, and you keep moving forward.

You also need to have *honest conversations with your parents*. Many families back home believe that once a student graduates, they will immediately get a high-paying job and start repaying loans. The reality is often very different. Settlement takes time.

Another reality is that a *single income* is no longer enough for many major financial goals. The cost of living, housing prices, and loan repayments have changed dramatically. What *seemed achievable a decade ago now requires much more planning and patience.*

*Keep doing the right things.* Give your best effort every day. Focus on improving yourself rather than comparing your progress with others.

In my experience, permanent residency can take many years, and true settlement—where you feel established with a stable career, a home, and financial security—often takes *close to a decade.*

So don't spend your entire journey worrying about the destination.

Enjoy the process. Appreciate what you have today. Stay patient, stay positive, and keep moving forward.

Your time will come.

Have a *wonderful long weekend.*

Jai Sia Ram🙏

*Scam Alert – Stay Safe! ⚠️**Beware of Fake Calls ☎️*As the end of the financial year approaches, please be extra carefu...
20/05/2026

*Scam Alert – Stay Safe! ⚠️*
*Beware of Fake Calls ☎️*

As the end of the financial year approaches, please be extra careful with phone calls claiming to be from the *ATO, Police, or any government department.*

Scammers can sound very convincing and may even have some of your *personal details*. They may try to scare you, pressure you, or make the matter sound urgent. Please don’t fall for it.

*Remember*: If you receive a suspicious call, hang up immediately.

The *ATO or Police will never call* you to demand personal or financial information, payments, gift cards, or bank details. ❌

Also watch out for *scams through SMS 📩, emails 📧, Amazon calls 🛒, fake investment offers, and discounted utility bill offers 💡.*

In Australia, where the cost of living is already high, there is usually no such thing as a real freebie.

Trust your intelligence, think logically, and don’t make any decision under pressure 🧠.

If you are unsure, speak to a friend, family member, or ask for advice from a trusted group.

*Stay alert, stay safe! 🔐*

07/05/2026

Dear all, today really feels like the first day of winter 🥶 The temperature is dropping quickly, and every year around this time I send this reminder.

If you are living in shared accommodation and planning to use heaters, please remember that electricity in Australia is very expensive. Every winter there are discussions about who will pay the power bill, especially when heaters are running 24/7. But there are many simple ways to stay warm while keeping electricity costs lower.

✅ Wear warm clothes, thermals, hoodies, beanies, and thick socks
✅ Add an extra blanket on your mattress and another under your quilt
✅ Use a hot water bottle at night — it helps a lot
✅ Buy affordable winter clothes from Aldi, Kmart, or similar stores
✅ Keep some basic cold & flu medicines, Panadol, and cough tablets ready at home

Using heaters nonstop will definitely make the electricity bill very high, and it becomes painful at the end of the month. Try to balance it with other ways of staying warm.

Also, for people doing night deliveries 🚴‍♂️🛵 please take extra care:

- Wear proper warm jackets and gloves
- Use reflective clothing for visibility
- Be careful while riding scooters or bikes because strong winds can make the bike swing unexpectedly
- Drive slowly and safely, especially late at night

Take care of your health, stay warm, and enjoy the winter season safely ❄️

Best of luck everyone, and have a lovely winter 😊

26/04/2026

*A Guru Mantra*

Dear Students

In India, many of us grow up with a belief—do good quietly, so even your other hand doesn’t know. It’s a beautiful value, rooted in humility.

But when you come to a country like Australia, you need to adapt.

Here, if you do something good—you talk about it.

If you achieve something—you share it.

If you need help— *you ask for it openly.*

I meet so many students who want lot of help—but they *want to stay invisible.*

They hesitate to speak, they ask admin to share.

They think others will judge them.

*This approach doesn’t work here.*

You need to sell yourself—your skills, your efforts, your intentions.

Be open about what you’re doing and what you’re looking for. Ask for help without hesitation. There is nothing to be shy about.

If you’re doing charity or good work, tell the world.

Because if you don’t share it, how will anyone know who you are or what you stand for?

Forget the fear of judgment. Let go of that old rule.
In this environment, visibility matters.

*If you do good*—share it.
*If you need help*—ask for it.
*If you want to succeed*—show up and be seen.

Enjoy long weekend

13/04/2026

*Student Concern*

I’ve been hearing repeated concerns from students about unpaid wages at certain workplaces. One name coming often.
I don’t want to name or shame anyone, but the pattern is worrying — delays in salary, lack of communication, and in some cases, students being removed from groups when they ask for their rightful pay or shifts.

*Let’s be clear:* if you have worked, you deserve to be paid. No excuses.

*If you are facing such issues:*

• First, calmly ask for your dues in writing

• If there’s no response, lodge a complaint with Fair Trading or the Fair Work Ombudsman

• If there are serious issues like harassment or inappropriate behaviour, report it to the police — Australia has strong systems to protect you

• You can also reach out to your university (e.g., UOW) and local community associations for support

Many students hesitate, thinking it might affect their visa or future — it won’t. *If you are right, you are protected.*

The reality is, *exploitation continues* only when people stay silent. The moment people start speaking up collectively, things change. There are legal avenues, and there are professionals who can help take these matters forward.

I’m not here to push anyone, but I strongly encourage you — don’t let yourself be taken advantage of.

*Stand up for your rights*.
*Don’t be afraid* of anyone just because they’ve been here longer or hold a certain status.

If you are right, fight for it.

I always say *Kisi se nahi nahi darna*

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Wollongong, NSW

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