Opinion Articles

SOUL MATTERS: Share the journey with international students
By Kate Bartlett

Recent stories about violence towards international students in Australian universities have been shocking to many. As a new Chaplain at the University of Newcastle, I have found them particularly disturbing.

Some of our local students have been confronted by gangs of reportedly quite young people, resulting in robbery and harassment. A mature student was attacked whilst walking in the University grounds with his young child. When asked whether he was hurt his response was - ‘My feelings were hurt. I am worried that my son will grow up fearing every white person will attack him.’

Another family has limited their activities so that they are not out after dark – to the extent of attending church during the week rather than on Sunday.

Newcastle University and the police have acted quickly and effectively. They have arrested and charged some but many questions remain.

Thankfully, for most of our international students, this isn’t the norm. The inclusion of students from many different countries and cultures provides a wonderful opportunity to learn from each other. Most of the students whom I have asked have responded very positively about the welcome and help received from locals during their time at the university.

When I attend my local parish church its congregation is overwhelmingly white middle class. When I attend Mass at University each week it is not unusual to be in the company of people from seven different countries with myriad life stories. The richness of this shared experience really brings to life the act of coming together as a universal church.

Each week after we have nurtured our souls by gathering in worship, we join together around the Chaplaincy Centre’s table to share a meal. These meals are a great opportunity to learn about each other and each other’s countries and cultures. Often the information gleaned in these informal times is the kind of thing that tourist guides never tell you – the insider’s view – for better and for worse!

One story which contrasts strongly with the recent tales of racism and unease suffered by international students was the experience I had of a student from Papua New Guinea expressing her gratitude for the AusAID scholarship that made her study here possible. It was truly humbling to see her, with tears in her eyes, give thanks for the people of Australia whose taxes made her education possible. She spoke of her great desire to return to her own country armed with the knowledge and skills gained here and use them to help improve the lives of others in her struggling community.

I am nearing the end of my first semester as a Chaplain but already my life and my faith have been enriched by the experience. I pray that all people in Newcastle and beyond will open their hearts and minds. May we all be enriched by the opportunities that we may have, to share the journey with international students.

Kate Bartlett is one of the Catholic Chaplains at the University of Newcastle. This article is submitted by the Churches Media Association www.cmahunter.com.au

*This article was published in The Newcastle Herald, 29th June 2009