Background

(right: Colombo Plan students at Adelaide Airport in February 1968, arriving to study Mechanical Engineering at the University) 

In the many years since international students have been attending the University of Adelaide, there have been many changes in what they have experienced. Given the high level of xenophobia facing non-English speaking foreigners, especially those from Asia, that existed in Australia following the Second World War, international students have not always been as welcome at the University as they now are. For instance, a student referendum in 1956 voted against the awarding of a scholarship to an Asian student, instead demanding to give it to an Aborigine.

However, for many Australians, the only contact they had with non-English foreigners was in the form of international students. Some international students even reached a level of acceptance by the student population not experienced by some local students, as (somewhat chauvinistically) shown by the awarding of the 1958 "Miss University" title to one Dolly Chen (left).

By the mid-1980s, the situation of people from non-English speaking backgrounds had improved substantially, with the end of the White Australia Policy in the late 1960s, and subsequent increases in immigration since that time, notably from Asia. As was the case previously, international students were better accepted at the University than their non-student overseas colleagues were in the wider community.

Membership of the OSA

The OSA has two main aims, which it actively pursues, namely the representation of international students on issues that affect its members, and organising social events in which all OSA members can participate.

History of the OSA

In 1991 the OSA published its first yearbook(right). The yearbook is designed to provide a written record of the year's activities for OSA members, which they can take back home with them to remember their time as OSA members at the University. It has been produced annually since 1991.

An important annual OSA event is the Orientation Camp (O'Camp), which was first organised in 1992. Whilst there existed many different types of orientation camp for commencing students at the University, the OSA's is the only one that deals specifically with the issues that face international students upon their commencement at the University. 1992 also saw the production of the first OSA orientation guide, which is designed to provide a reference guide to a wide range of issues that concern international students.

In 1992 the OSA also advocated for the establishment of prayer facilities for Islamic students and formed a network of Departmental and Faculty links, which are designed to support further the academic rights and welfare of international students. The OSA launched its newsletter Vibes, which was renamed in 1994 as Accent. In 1992 four issues were produced. The OSA also broadcast a fortnightly radio show called "World Montage" on Radio 5UV.

1993 was an important year for the OSA, as it saw the staging of the first Multicultural Week (M-Week), and which has been held every year since (left: international dancers performing during M-Week). The OSA also appointed its first Research Officer in 1993 - a move that signalled the increasing respect the OSA was receiving at the University for its efforts serving the international student community.

1994 saw the estblishment of the Islamic prayer room, following two years of lobbying by the OSA. Further OSA lobbying saw the University's introduction of supplementary exams that were held overseas. A problem that faced many international students was that if they failed an exam, they often were no longer in Australia when the supplementary exam was held, and the introduction of overseas supplementary exams helped many students in this position. 1994 also saw the staging of the first international student graduation dinner, which, like many other OSA events, is now held annually. The OSA also successfully lobbied the AUU for the creation of an Asian food court on campus.

In 1995 the OSA celebrated its tenth anniversary, which enabled it to look back upon ten years' of dedication and success in its representation of international students at the University of Adelaide. Links to Faculties and Departments were strengthed further in 1996, and the OSA lobbied successfully for the establishment of an overseas phone link for examination results, as the system the University had at the time was only accessible locally.

1996 saw the running of a Multicultural Day at the Waite Campus, in addition to the M-Week at the North Terrace campus, as part of the OSA's efforts to represent international students at all of the University's campuses. In 1996 the OSA's lounge and offices were upgraded, and the official web site was launched to provide information to both international students already in Adelaide, as well as those who had already studied here and those planning to in the future.

1997 and 1998 saw the OSA continue to build upon the solid foundation it had laid in the preceding years, with the continuation of all the annual events it staged, as well as advocating for the further improvement of international students' rights on campus, particularly in light of the ever-increasing international student population.

The OSA continued to push for improved conditions for international students in 1999. Most important of the improvements was the introduction of early graduations, for which the OSA had been lobbying for the previous five years. Many international students had been previously unable to attend in person graduation ceremonies that were held up to five months after the completion of the requirements for their awards; the introduction of ceremonies aimed specifically at international students avoids this issue. 1999 also saw the OSA's active involvement in the inaugural South Australian multicultural week organised by the South Australian Government.

2000 saw the creation of the International Student Centre (ISC) at the University, which was created to better service the administration aspects involving international students at the University. The OSA offered its support and expertise so that the ISC could be established in a form that best services the international student population at the University.

Following a weak 2001, the OSA had to begin a process of rebuilding itself into an organisation that not only represents all international students to the best of its ability, but also serves as a social focus point for them. The OSA endeavoured to grow in both size and importance in 2002. The OSA represented international students on the issues of quality at the University, serving certified halal food in University cafes, and increasing Internet quota. The council successfully held the annual OSA events and functioned as a cohesive unit. 

The numbers of international students in 2003 was higher still with over two thousand students studying at the University. The OSA responded to the University’s draft Strategic Plan (2004-2008), which intends a significant increase in international students numbers, with the recommendation that more support services are put in place, more University accommodation is made available, and greater attention is paid to the needs of international students.

In 2004 the President was given a place on the newly formed Internationalisation Committee and the Executive met regualrly with the Pro Vice-Chancellor (International). The OSA tackled exploitation of international students in part-time employment by their employers, the need for increased University accommodation (the University has responded with the new 'Student Village'), and the need for more foreign newspapers in the library (this has also been implemented). The University began a series pilot cultural awareness training sessions. The OSA has been advocating for these for a long time and is hoping the sessions will be widely attended. 3 council members attended the National Liaison Committee meeting and discussed issues such as high international student visa fees, the quality of education versus the cost of an international education and health cover arrangements.

The usual events were held in 2004, including O'Camp, the Social Gathering, Sports Day, OSA Soccer Cup, Impressions Dinner and Dance and Multicultural Week. This year the South Australian Multicultural Week was held in Victoria Square by international student volunteers from the three South Australian universities.  The OSA Yearbook, Handbook were produced and the OSA quarterly newspaper was reinvented as a magazine called 'Global'. The website was updated to carry more useful information for international students and it was accessed more as a consequence.  

2005 promises to be an exciting year. The OSA Council is dedicated to furthering the work of the OSA by ensuring the welfare of the international students at this University.