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On behalf of student here from Hong Kong I am so worried to tell my parents that the work is too much. They want me to study hard and continue at an Australian university.<\/em><\/p>\n \u2013 Anonymous<\/p>\n Hi, and thanks for your question. My answer to your question is quite long because there are a few ways you can approach this.<\/p>\n Coming to live in Australia on your own and studying in an unfamiliar education system is extremely hard. You may be struggling with the language barrier, making you more stressed and anxious. I imagine there are times when you might feel quite alone.<\/p>\n Having worked with many international students, I\u2019ve seen firsthand how pressure from from parents can affect students\u2019 stress levels and mental health \u2013 you are not alone. A\u00a0recent report<\/a>\u00a0found due to culture, language and academic barriers international students are at a higher risk of mental ill-health than domestic students.<\/p>\n There aren\u2019t any statistics around the mental health of Chinese international students, but\u00a0recent news coverage<\/a>\u00a0has shed light on its prevalence.<\/p>\n Being an international student is a family project, not just an individual venture. Many Asian students who go overseas to study have financial and emotional support<\/a>\u00a0from their parents.<\/p>\n They carry their parents\u2019 aspirations and dreams. They consider education extremely important to\u00a0getting a good job.<\/a>\u00a0Sound familiar?<\/p>\n In particular, many people born in China believe academic success comes mainly from diligence, so many Chinese parents believe their child can make it if they work hard enough. Such value on education is a\u00a0powerful influence of the Confucian tradition<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you can, you should try to tell your parents how you feel. Being honest with your parents about what is happening can be extremely hard. This is because we are afraid we might be misunderstood by immediate family or we might bring shame to our parents when we let them know we are struggling.<\/p>\n Unfortunately there is no fixed way to approach a conversation with your parents as each parent-child relationship is unique. Remember, there is no shame in letting your parents know you are seeking their support in your present life in Australia.<\/p>\n While you are in Australia, it is important to find someone you can relate to. There are more than\u00a017,000 students<\/a>\u00a0from Hong Kong in Australia.<\/p>\n Often, international students like to socialise with other international students. Do you know of any other Hong Kong international students in your campus\/school? Are there any international student friendship groups, clubs or social organisations you can attend? Have a look on Facebook or your university\u2019s socials page.<\/p>\n You don\u2019t necessarily have to make friends with someone of the same background as you. There are many people in the same situation, who feel stressed and alone in a different country.<\/p>\n Your ability to grow confident will strongly impact your well-being and mental health. And self-care is the\u00a0first step towards<\/a>\u00a0battling, or helping to prevent, mental-health issues.<\/p>\n Here are some tips on how to do that:<\/p>\nKey points<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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It\u2019s tough, but you should talk to your parents<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Find a trusted friend to talk to<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Focus on you<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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