International is back It has been a long two and a half years, but last month, FCAC welcomed back our first international students since the pandemic began. Along with airlines, tourist operators, and many other industries, the pandemic severely impacted education. In a very short period of time, enrolments and visa applications dropped by 80-90% as parents and students evaluated travel as an unnecessary risk. Education was Australia’s fourth-largest export and resulted in $30 billion in income for Universities and Schools. At FCAC in January 2020, we had six international students enrolled. By June, only one was left. Fast forward to June 2022, FCAC has two students from France, with another three arriving in Term 3. Neis and Foucauld are on a short-term exchange at the College until late July. Their program includes joining our Year 11 cohort and experiencing Australian life. Our next cohort includes three students from Germany, Switzerland France. Two of these students will be at FCAC for a year. In addition, our study tour program is starting to activate again, and we hope to welcome our first group in early 2023. So, in short, international is back! The next step in our journey back to a thriving international program is homestay. Many FCAC families have experienced the benefits of being a homestay family. Beyond the benefits to incoming students, families can learn and experience other cultures and be a guide and support to new students experiencing FCAC (and Australia) for the first time. The FCAC homestay program provides a stipend to meet food and accommodation expenses. We have heard many wonderful stories about longterm connections between students and their homestay families. These connections have resulted in life-long friendships and reciprocal hosting when the aussie family are travelling. If you are interested in becoming a homestay family, please reach out to our International Department by emailing international@fcac.qld.edu.au Page 6
Article by Ross Strong, Director of Communications and International Business
You can hear Ross speak to ABC Wide Bay about the return of international students and what it means for FCAC and the wide community. Scan the QR code to hear the interview.
