Lets meet the international option, Global
What do you stand for?
We as GLOBAL stand to create an INCLUSIVE environment for our DIVERSE community by working to EMPOWER all students at UWA. As the oldest party running for these upcoming elections, GLOBAL has a proven track record of listening to students and getting it done. We are here to be the student voice, to ensure every student that sets foot onto this campus is heard, seen and represented. This is what we have and will continue to stand for.
What have you achieved this year that you’re proud of? What would you do differently? (Answered by Ojaswi Shrestha, ISD Presidential Candidate)
This year I’ve been fortunate to be a part of the 112th Guild Council as an OGC. I’ve established the food pantry working group to create reforms to make the food pantry more accessible. As the chair of Student Services, I’ve worked tirelessly to ensure that we listen to the student voice. Our OGC Ritika Menon has served as deputy chair and tenancy chair helping clubs out at every step of the way. We have celebrated the cultural diversity of UWA by organising events that celebrate our unique cultures. GLOBAL’s ISD president (Archit Menon) has worked to improve the department by increasing engagement for ISD events. Organizing events that students need such as the Global Careers fair, Migration Workshops have been a priority. Providing welfare support to students through welfare lunches and welfare packs. Working with ISD counterparts from across the nation to ensure international students are represented and being a part of the International Students’ Voice campaign to advocate for national voice for all international students. There always is room for improvement so next year, I will advocate to increase transparency through increasing consultation sessions for the international student representative across faculty societies and clubs. I would also run a legal migration workshop in the first semester so that students graduating in the middle of the year do have knowledge and information on what documents and paperwork they need after graduating.
Which of your policies are central to your platform?
The policy I am most excited about is creating more opportunities for students from different backgrounds and areas of UWA to be heard and supported. I want to hold regular catchups across all campuses, giving students a safe space to share their experiences, express their needs, and build meaningful connections. I will also continue to organize migration and legal workshops for international students in both semesters, helping them understand life after graduation and the documentation required for their future.
Another initiative I would like to implement is compulsory 15-minute breaks in lectures or tutorials that run longer than two hours, as this would help reduce fatigue, support long-term health, and improve focus and retention. Finally, I plan to run monthly cultural exchange days showcasing different countries, ensuring that all cultures are celebrated, valued, and included in our community.
Why should people go out and vote for you?
We have the track record. We have always consulted with students to ensure the entire student population of UWA is represented.
GLOBAL has various achievements over the last two years like advocating for universities to release transcripts early for international students wanting to apply for 485 visa, establishing the food pantry working group and organizing food drives and many more. We are a ticket run by international students, but our policies are catered to all students. Our policies are built on the merit of bridging gaps between international and domestic students.
How have you represented international students in arenas beyond the Guild in the past, and would you continue in that fashion?
GLOBAL has actively engaged with the NUS to ensure that the voices of international students from UWA are being heard at a national level. Global has endeavored to hold the NUS Office bearers accountable across the past year by coordinating and working closely with them to establish and build on campaigns that particularly impact international students. This includes the campaign opposing the government’s visa cost fee increases as well as supporting and providing input for the opposition against unpaid placements for all. GLOBAL has also actively been part of a working group that has led to the establishment of the International Student Representative Council in Australia, an organization which focuses solely on the needs and representation of international students around Australia. This year we have laid the foundation by utilizing the resources made available to us to ensure that the international student voice is empowered, respected and heard. We want to further the work done this year by working closely with the Guild President to lobby local ministers to meet and listen to the voices of the minorities who aren’t being heard not just within the state of WA but also around the country. We want to provide an avenue for international students to feel empowered and to have a seat at the table.
What challenges are specific to international students and how will you attempt to address them?
International students often face a range of challenges when adjusting to life in a new country. Homesickness is one of the most common, with many struggling to overcome the feeling of being away from home and their familiar support networks, which can leave them feeling isolated and overwhelmed. Racism adds to this difficulty, with recent anti-migration protests and increasing visa costs creating an environment that can feel alienating. Culture shock is another hurdle, as adapting to an unfamiliar country and study environment while essentially restarting life can heighten feelings of disconnection. On top of this, differences in education systems present their own set of challenges international students must quickly adapt to new academic expectations, such as understanding plagiarism rules and shifting from theoretical learning styles to more practical approaches, all while navigating the complexities of settling into a new place.