Egyptian Students given valuable tips for life in NSW

CRC Chair, Stepan Kerkyasharian, (left) and Dr  Eman Sharobeem CRC Commissioner(centre) with Egyptian overseas students

More than sixty international students from Egypt today attended an information session on life in New South Wales.

“The information provided to students today is invaluable. I would like to thank the Community Relations Commission for organising such an outstanding session today, I will definitely share this information with my fellow students...” an international student told the CRC after the session.

The gathering was addressed by the Chair of the CRC, Stepan Kerkyasharian, who encouraged international students to approach the Commission about any support they might need during their stay in NSW.

“If you have issues with your education agent, college or university, or if you have any other concerns, you are free to talk to us about them in confidence.

“We are conducting these sessions so that all overseas students living in New South Wales are well informed of their work rights, safety, rental rights and responsibilities and pathway options after studies”, he said.

Dr Eman Sharobeem Commissioner of the Commission facilitated the session and addressed the students in Arabic at key points in the discussions.

The guest speakers were Ms Svetlana McNeil – Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Mr Glenn Halloran and Ms Jacquie Bowden - NSW Police Force, Mr Neil McGarvie - NSW Industrial Relations and Ms Lynley Young - NSW Fair Trading Office.

The Commission has been involved in international student issues since security concerns became public in 2009, organising meetings with authorities, consultations with student groups, assistance for the victims of collapsed colleges and participation in State Government lead committees.

In 2010 the Commission produced a wallet-sized Z card with vital information on living, working and studying in New South Wales. Many thousands of the Z-cards have been distributed.

Students or counsellors who would like to attend a future session, please contact the Commission via email internationalstudents@crc.nsw.gov.au