Student accommodation in Melbourne
Lately, there has been several articles written in the local papers about the treatment of students in various student accommodations around the city. I hope, today was the final installment to all the stories there is to tell about the possible bullying or mistreatment of students in accommodations affiliated to Universities around Melbourne.
On June 25, 2006, there was an article about students being over-charged in accommodations affiliated to Universities. Then, on July 2, 2006, there was a further article elaborating on some of the mistreatment of international students in some private accommodations. In the latest installment, the article today was about several ex-Uni leaders being accused of bullying foreign students.
I have always associated bullying to High school bullying or bullying in the playgrounds, not at the tertiary level. I guess some people will never outgrow such behaviour. I can also sympathesize with the feelings of the foreign students; living away from home and not knowing their rights. Especially those who had arrived recently and desperate for accommodations at the beginning of a semester. Imagine if you are a parent of an child/teenager/young adult who has travelled abroad to study …would you be upset if you were ripped off?
Personally, I would not call it mistreatment but scamming. Scamming is more appropriate. No difference to a used-car salesperson who is trying to sell an unusable car for too high a price. I hope the Universities involved are doing more to protect the rights of all students, especially those in accommodations afiiliated to them. Does the phrase, “Duty of Care”, exist in their vocabulary or does it not apply?
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They definitely charge international students a lot more for a lot less. Take a look at Unilodge and College Square for what they offer and how much you pay. Its definitely not good value but its good to have accomidation set up before you arrive in the country. Its like those sausage vendors who sell sausages for $5 outside pubs. Are they good value? No Are they good quality? No Are they more convenient and quicker than eating elsewhere? yes
Whose fault is it when foreign students come here with nary a knowledge of English or the Australian or Anglo culture?
It’s not the landlords’ or private companies’ fault. They just have good business management. Taking advantage of the foreign students’ inability to speak English or what not is not illegal. In fact, it’s very smart. In this society the ones who think smart and earn money the smart way = the ones who survive.
If you wish to come here and find accomodation, it’s entirely up to you to find it before you arrive. If you’re gullible enough to pay $1400/mth for a one room apartment along Swanston Street, the only one laughing is the landlord (to the bank), and not you. Living in the city is the pits.