International Students are Exploited in Australia

Having study overseas could be a great experience and also a dream of many students (or students wanna be) in a lifetime. Australia is one of leading countries (beside US and UK) that has attracted many students to come and study. In 2007, around 450,000 International Students were studying in Australia which increase to 18% from last year figures. This number is predicted to double by 2025. International Students has contributed a sum of $ 11 billion per year to the local economic development and it has replaced tourism as Australia top major income (the third largest after coal and iron-ore). In Victoria, they are the biggest income provider.
However, International Students seems as "money spinner" since they only come here not to build relationship with Australian or sharing knowledge. They were attaracted to come here to pay unreasonable high fees, which is believed as the main source for economic prosperity in Australia. Thus, this problem leads to the exploitation.
Futhermore International Students are less knowledge about their rights. In one case in Victoria, International Students were being underpaid and sexually harassed. Some of them also work overtime than they suppose to have. Others main concern of the issue are; the corrupt provider, lack of affordable accommodation and personal safety.
Federal and State Government supposed to take significant action as they heavily dependent on this industry. Because universities in Australia can not merely depend on local students.

Sources :

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/09/11/2361735.htm
http://www.theage.com.au/national/stop-exploitation-student-union-tells-tertiary-review-20080805-3qlb.html
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/international-student-numbers-to-rise-recruiter/2007/09/18/1189881513959.html
http://www.theage.com.au/national/taskforce-to-study-overseas-students-20080918-4jek.html?skin=text-only

Islam in Australia

For the past 25 years, the number of muslims in Australia increased dramatically. It can be seen as the number is growing to 281,578 (40% growth) in 2001 census. Nowadays, the number is expected to raise from 350,000 to 450,000. Thus, Islam can be claimed as the fastest growing faith in Australia.

This rapid growth was influenced by immigration mainly from Middle East, Africans and Arabs countries. While the other are coming from South East Asia (Malaysia and Indonesia). Therefore, the muslim community in Australia is strongly diverse and multiethnicity.

However, some native Australian also contribute slight percentage as their conversion into Islam. Here is a two-video that describe how an Australian become a muslim. Interesting and fascinating. It inspired me much and lead me grateful to Allah for giving me Islam in my life.

http://www.islamawareness.net/Fastest/australia.html

http://www.turntoislam.com/

Bendigo Drought, Compare to Indonesia

About in the early 90s Bendigo region (and almost half of Victoria region in the north west) experienced long dry and caused drought. It is believed that "Climate Change" was the suspect of this problem. The level of rain was reduced dramatically especially in winter, bush and land became dusty and brown colored like dessert and the reservoir in the Lake Eppalock were run out of water. Many farmer closed their farms as they can not sustain the crops productivity and the region suddenly loss employment opportunity and economic prosperity in grain and wheat farms, cattle and livestock (sheep, lamb and cow). The other impacts are this region loss population since the out migration of young people and farmers to other states, and the closure of public facilities (such as hospitals and schools) by state and federal government because of the lack of costumers.

Nowadays, the authority of water management such as Coliban Water issues water restriction to residents every day. Therefore, they could maintain the usage of water in the long period and find solution in water resources. People can not consume water freely, spesifically if they want to wash their cars, watering the gardens and even to take a bath. This authority has control in every households' pipe so that they can give punishment to the disobeyers like fines.

Differently, in my country every people have better access to the water resources. Eventhough Indonesia also hitted by Climate Change, but so far there is no government policy to look after that. Every households can bore their own water wells and people also can use the river as long as they need. Eventhough we have government body in water enterprise (Perusahaan Air Minum/PAM) but its role only to provide pure water to drinking and bathing. However, this company can not ensure good services to the community. Occasionally, they still struggle in certain issues of water theft and blake, worst quality of drinking water and misscalculation of customers' usage.

Anyway, Indonesia is not familiar with drought so far.

(Except maybe in dry areas like East Nusa Tenggara and Mount Kidul Yogyakarta)

Sources : http://www.coliban.com.au/

Bendigo Bus!!

Since the end of April 2008, the state government of Victoria had boosted the bus transport in Bendigo by 40%. Therefore, more services for public transport are available with additional rute that run through La Trobe University. Moreover, the new system served other remote regions such as Maiden Gully, Strathfieldsaye and Huntly/Epsom.

This change has impacted to the daily life of the community, as the bus more reliable (some routes has every 30 minutes service), convenient (as all the buses stopped at railway station and city centre) and friendly (easy access for disabilities and prams).

Unfortunately, some people disadvantaged from it such as students. The new route changes new bus stop and the timetables is not always match with the school time. As a result, some students should walk extra than before (they get exhausted easily) and arrive late at school. Furthermore, the traders in Mitchell st (city centre) are concenrned that many passengers would create crowded outside their stores, while they are waiting in bus stop, and leads to looting and anti-social behaviour.

However, for me the bus service give me easiness to hoop in and off to university and home througout the day. Since morning until late afternoon, also in the weekend. Sometimes it is never full (sometimes almost empty), and it is comfort me to get seat and relax.

Ramadhan in Bendigo

As the number of Muslim family is small, the atmosphere of Ramadhan in Bendigo is dreary. Furthermore, the lack of Islamic facilities (such as Mosque) also a significant factor to it. The city of 90,000 population only has little musholla to serve Muslim community; whereas the musholla itself was located in the La Trobe University and it is not owned by the community. This problem has been arised for many years, although the muslim community has tried hard to propose their own mosque. The difficulty on funding is the first reason, while the other reason is the steady number of muslim (and sometimes decline) can not ensure the approval of public service for muslim.

However, the spirit of Ramadhan is preserved by certain commitment muslims. Every year they hold taraweh prayer in each night and gather "ifthar" in the weekend. The dreary atmosphere encourage them to pray actively. They also get benefits from the quiet Bendigo's ambience to pray more concentrate and easily. For me, it is really hard to get use to in this circumtance as I often remember the spirit of Ramadhan in Indonesia. But, I realize that become a muslim in Bendigo would be an advantage and excellent experience for me. At least, I can focus on my daily "muamalah" and not thinking on some "my countries' old tradition" such as buying new clothes, shopping or go to hometown (mudik). I also would not experience the glamorous and luxurious Ramadhan style, just humble and modest that Insha Allah lead me to peaceful wisdom.

Ramadhan Mubarak Brother and Sister. Hopefully this Ramadhan will make us as better Muslim than before.

From Melbourne to Bendigo

Bendigo is about 150 km away from Melbourne. From Melbourne we can travel to Bendigo by car, which approximately one and half hour through Calder Freeway, or by train that usually needs two hour journey.
The train that operates between Melbourne-Bendigo is under V/Line management corporation. This institution is a not for profit and serves regional passenger for train and coach service in Victoria, Australia. It was created after the split-up of Vic-Rail in 1983. V/Line is owned by the V/Line Passenger Corporation which is a Victorian State Government statutory authority.
Vlocity is the type of train that services Bendigo route, includes small towns on the route such as Sunbury, Kyneton and Castlemaine. It has almost 100 services every week.
Comparing to train service in Indonesia (that I have experienced), VLine operation almost perfect with its high punctuation time and good and clean carriage. It also accessible for disabilities person and cyclers. But somehow, in peak hours (usually in the morning and late afternoon) this service full with commuters who work in Melbourne but live in Bendigo. At that time, the ticket fees are higher and people flocks. Although, there are no brave passenger that eager to sit on the train's roof.


Sources : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bendigo_railway_line,_Victoria
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V/Line

Indonesia Independence Day

Being far from home made the celebration of Indonesia Independence different. Though, many people came and joined (especially Australian) to share this moment. In Bendigo, this event was held in Quarry Hill Community Centre on 17th of August. The participants were entertained by "Gamelan" percussion orchestra and Marthin Nanere, who performed some folks and traditional songs. The Indonesia Raya antheme was sang by few people, notably are Indonesians but it was in solemn moment. So beautiful and magnificent. Though, the spirit of independence were not same as in Indonesia but still I had enjoyment.