CSU Port Macquarie prepares to welcome international students

The campus had 163 applications which resulted in six international students.

The students come from India, Peru, Canada, the US, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.

They are studying accounting, outdoor recreation and ecotourism, and medical radiation science, while two international students are on year-long exchanges.

The international students will arrive just before Orientation Week.

Charles Sturt University Port Macquarie head of campus Professor Heather Cavanagh said the international students all had accommodation.

She said social events during Orientation Week and session one would ensure they were integrated into the community.

“The social and cultural benefits that having international students on campus brings is worth its weight in gold,” Professor Cavanagh said.

She said the international students would experience a much more genuine Australia in Port Macquarie rather than in a metropolitan city, and exposure to different perspectives, cultural differences and language differences would make the Australian students global citizens.

“Hopefully in years to come they will end up with friends all over the world because of their university experience,” Professor Cavanagh said.

This is the first international student intake at Charles Sturt University Port Macquarie Campus.

Meanwhile, international students have also shown interest in the masters programs.