From TikTok Creator Cook-up events to creating terrariums, purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) providers are turning to innovative initiatives to enhance the student experience as they return to Australia.
In its most recent report, the Australian Bureau of Statistics found in May 2022 there were 24,750 international student arrivals to Australia, an increase of 24,360 students compared with the corresponding month of the previous year. However, this is 27.8 per cent lower than the pre-COVID levels in May 2019.
COVID-19 originally put the brakes on the blossoming industry, but with international student arrival levels beginning to recover and beds starting to fill up, PBSA providers are ensuring their buildings are not just a place to sleep, but a lifestyle all on its own.
Ian Davidoff, CEO of Journal Student Living, which has two PBSA assets in Melbourne, said student life programs are essential in helping students have a sense of belonging and community as they establish themselves in a new city.
“The range of activities on offer enables residents to connect with like-minded students, plays a critical role in supporting student mental and physical wellbeing and helps students to experience their new home as a ‘local’,” Davidoff said.
“Beyond the programmed events, the PBSA sector also provides strong pastoral care to its residents, helping students navigate what can sometimes be challenging issues in an unfamiliar environment,” he said.
Some of those events put on by Journal Student Living include a series of welcome events for newly arrived students, regular yoga and pilates classes, weekend excursions and much more.
“As part of our Journal Life program, we run a range of activities each week to foster a strong sense of community and to enrich the living experience of our residents,” Davidoff said.
“This includes a series of catered welcome events for newly arrived students like the Start of Semester Party, university specific events where residents meet their uni buddies, and speed friends where residents get to meet lots of their new neighbours in a high energy social space.
“We run weekend excursions to the places we know students want to go around the Melbourne CBD and into country Victoria like the Great Ocean Road and much more. When the students are more settled, we have academic workshops on topics like study skills and we host guest speaker talks from top industry professionals to help get residents thinking about their next steps after uni,” he said.
One aspect of student living is the shared kitchen facilities which often provides students the opportunity to gather around a plate of food, but Scape has taken this to the next level.
Last month Scape played host to three TikTok food creators to create the first-ever TikTok inspired-pop-up restaurant right at the dinning room at Scape’s Eveleigh Street property.
Scape also just launched Scape Lincoln College in Melbourne which is home to Scape Eats, the first to be offered in Melbourne, where a resident chef prepares healthy meals.
At Scape Lincoln College, students will start their day with complimentary continental breakfast with a variety of healthy options. For dinner, residents will be served a hot meal prepared by resident Scape Eats Chef or can pick up ingredients from the Scape Pantry to develop their culinary skills and prepare in their own apartments or in one of the communal kitchens
“We have reimagined the student experience by giving students everything they need to love their student life in a new city, with new friends,” Anouk Darling, CEO of Scape and President of the Student Accommodation Council of Australia said.
“Over the last few weeks, we have had thousands of international students booking accommodation in our Scape buildings. They are excited to resume study on campus and enjoy the lifestyle and experience that is unique to Melbourne and Australia,” she said.
While making sure student accommodation offers up a fun and connective lifestyle to students, mental health and physical safety are also high on the agenda for service providers.
Davidoff said Journal regularly hosts guest speakers who discuss a range of topics from the environment to mental health, while Campus Living Villages last week launched a new campaign aiming to make residents feel safer, supported and foster an environment where it is safe to speak up.
The group rolled out its Don’t Stand By, Stand Up campaign across all its Australian Campus Living Villages, modelled and adapted from successful campaigns in the UK and USA.
The campaign emphasises appropriate behaviour, consent, and support resources while raising awareness about harassment.
The campaign includes a variety of posters and digital advertisements highlighting respect and pointing out undesired conduct in order to foster a courteous community.