Melbourne has been named the best student city in Australia for the tenth consecutive year and ranked fifth globally in the prestigious QS Best Student Cities Ranking, cementing the city’s reputation as a premier destination for international education and cultural exchange. The city also achieved an impressive second-place ranking for student experience, behind only Berlin, reflecting the exceptional quality of life, educational opportunities, and cultural vibrancy that Melbourne offers to students from around the world. The recognition comes as Melbourne’s international student community continues to recover strongly from pandemic-era disruptions, with more than 120,000 international students currently studying across the city’s universities, vocational institutions, and English language schools. The City of Melbourne has played an active role in supporting international students through programs including volunteering opportunities, paid internships, and dedicated support services that help students navigate their studies and build connections with the local community. Brian Su, a graduate international student from Nanjing, China, who moved to Melbourne for his master’s degree at the University of Melbourne, exemplifies the opportunities available to international students in the city. During his studies, Brian volunteered as a student ambassador for the City of Melbourne’s My Melbourne program and was elected as the international officer at his university’s Graduate Student Association, experiences that helped him build valuable skills and professional networks. Brian’s athletic background as a 400-meter hurdler for more than 12 years drew him to Melbourne’s sports-crazy culture, and he noted that Melbourne is a multicultural and vibrant city, and also sports-crazy, which is why he chose Melbourne to study and live. His volunteer work as a student ambassador led to a job opportunity in the City of Melbourne’s Business Concierge, a dedicated team of case managers who support businesses across all industries including hospitality, accommodation, retail, biomedicine, finance and technology, health and wellbeing, education, training and beyond. In his role as a Business Concierge Officer, Brian has helped approximately 11 small businesses set up in the City of Melbourne, including many owners from non-English-speaking backgrounds, and he expressed satisfaction in helping them break language barriers and realize their business ideas in Melbourne. For international students just starting their journey in Melbourne, Brian offers sage advice: when international students choose to leave their hometowns to live in a new country, it already shows their courage and determination, and he encourages students not to be afraid of failure but to dare to try to expand their comfort zone. The City of Melbourne offers a range of opportunities for international students including volunteering and paid internships that can help people find pathways to employment, providing valuable work experience and professional connections that complement academic studies. The QS Best Student Cities Ranking evaluates cities based on criteria including university rankings, student mix, desirability, employer activity, and affordability, with Melbourne’s strong performance reflecting the city’s world-class educational institutions, multicultural environment, and vibrant student life. Melbourne’s universities, including the University of Melbourne, Monash University, RMIT University, and Deakin University, consistently rank among the world’s best, attracting students from across the globe who seek high-quality education in a welcoming, diverse, and culturally rich environment. The city’s international student community contributes significantly to Melbourne’s cultural diversity and economic vitality, with international education being one of Victoria’s largest export sectors and a vital contributor to the state’s economy. As Melbourne continues to welcome international students from around the world, the city’s commitment to providing exceptional educational experiences, supportive community connections, and vibrant cultural life ensures its position as a premier destination for global education.
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