French Connection
Thu 10 August 2006
Jenny Hammer, Journalism
The opportunity to study in Australia brings students from all over the world, enriching a young country with their own culture and diversity.
International students arrive in Australia, ready to learn about a different society whilst gaining a better understanding of the English language.
The University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland is just one of the many universities throughout Australia, which is home to a number of foreign language students.
The idea of studying in a foreign country is appealing and attracts many students. However, the reality of accomplishing this goal also has many challenges for prospective students.
Firstly, being able to study here requires considerable expense for international students, as they must pay an up-front fee before commencing any study. It costs about $A12,000 per year, however Study in Australia, the government website that provides information to international students, said fees here are comparable to those in other countries.
Once here, many students find the language barrier one of the most difficult aspects of studying in Australia. As all lectures and tutorials are conducted in English, this can be very hard for students who do not have a full understanding of the language.
Yannick Marechal, a student from France, chose to swap the magnificent French Alps for the beaches of Australia’s Sunshine Coast to pursue a career in journalism. His desire is to become proficient in the English language, one of the reasons driving him to study in Australia.
Arriving in October 2005 from Annecy, a picturesque town in France, Mr Marechal has found the experience of being in Australia as exciting and challenging as conquering a 120metre ski-jump.
This he would know well, for in France, he had conquered many mountains whilst competing as a professional in the sport of Nordic combined. For four years he was a member of the French ski team. The Olympic website said this gruelling winter sport tests both the mind and the body with a combination of cross-country skiing and ski jumping.
Elite sports, such as Nordic combined, are highly competitive. To be truly successful an athlete must be totally dedicated to winning and being the best. At this level athletes need to sacrifice many activities outside their sporting arena.
After recording a best-ever jump of 128m and gaining podium finishes at the world class European Cup, Mr Marechal decided he needed to be free of elite competition and begin to carve a career in the world of journalism. 
After four years of intense training, he turned his back on life as an elite athlete, choosing instead to focus his energy on study, in the hope of achieving success in the world of journalism and documentary filmmaking.
It was the opportunity to learn the valuable skills required to be a journalist that has led him to study in Australia. In doing so, Mr Marechal will gain a better command of the English language, which in turn will offer greater opportunities in his chosen profession.
Whilst in Australia, international students are granted visas that allow them to work a maximum number of hours per week to supplement their lifestyle.
Mr Marechal works as a waiter at one of the local surf clubs on the Sunshine Coast, This allows him to immerse himself into the Australian lifestyle whilst earning extra money. He is able to connect with Australians and understand the culture first hand.
“It’s really a great experience to study here because I learn English and discover another culture. The whole experience of being in Australia is enriching,” he said.
It is a unique opportunity for many international students to experience the Australian way of life, one that will no doubt stay with them for many years to come.
Yet for Australians, it is also an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the many different cultures that make up our world.
Image(s) designed by Jenny Hammer/Mr Marechal