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Our survey focuses on the financial stress among Swinburne University Sarawak Campus international students. For some international students, studying overseas can be a stressful experience especially when they are from low income families and do not receive sufficient financial support like their peers. These students might have to find ways to earn an income for cover their daily expenses and just survive in a new country such as Malaysia.

Although studying in Malaysia is not as costly as studying in other western countries such as Australia and the UK, some international students face some financial struggles while living far from their homes. The purpose of this survey is to identify the financial challenges faced by international students, explore the impact of part-time employment on student well-being and academic performance.

We expect to find that the high costs of tuition, living expenses, and limited access to financial support in a foreign country could be some of the causes. These financial pressures may lead international students to experience increased stress and difficulty focusing on their academic studies.

Respondents may be confronted with financial stress and challenges related to employment in Kuching. We target to understand how international students manage their finances and seek job opportunities in Kuching,Sarawak. Furthermore, we hope to learn from the survey results how they handle issues such as budgeting, part-time job, and the impact of financial pressure on themselves.

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We recently interviewed 21 international students from Swinburne University about the international students' financial stress and employment. Our survey includes 12 questions. In this segment, we analyze the data of our survey on the international students' financial stress and employment. Initially, we gathered general information about the respondents, such as nationality and age.

There are 21 international students from 6 countries. According to the survey results, most international students with 38.1% come from China. 19% international students come from Korea same as Indonesia and 4.8% international students come from Singapore same with Thailand. 9.5% of international students come from Burmese.According to the survey results, almost half with 47.6% international students under 20 years old studying in Kuching. 42.9% international students 20 between 24 years old studying in Kuching and 9.5% international students 25 between 29 years old.To sum up , this particular number is based on the demographics of the respondents。

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Green and Yellow Geometric Sales Performance Data Graph (1)

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The describe current financial situation of the international students

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The describe current financial situation of the international students

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Every international students who came from different countries in Kuching have the different financial situation. According to the survey results, 38.1% international students feel comfortable for their financial situation but still need to think how can reduce their more financial problems and other 23.8% international students not need to mind for their financial situation at now as their financial support that they get can cover up all their spending. Next, 28.6% international students feel some difficult for their financial situation but they still can settle the financial problem and 9.5% international students feel very difficult for their financial stress at now as their financial support that they get is not enough to them. International students can try go find a part time work that can let international students work not just for local students and near the school or the place that they live. They also can work the online work such as online tuition that teach the high school student knowledge or other online work , it is a easy way to let the international students get the financial support.

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the describe current financial situation of the international students

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International students’ biggest financial concerns 

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International students’ biggest financial concerns 

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According to the survey results, the highest international students’ financial concerns is tuition fees with 30.4%. The rent and the daily expense same with each for the international students’ financial concerns with 25%. Transportation is the third highest with 14.3% for the international students’ financial concerns. The least international students’ financial concerns is medical with 1.8%. International students need to face many financial concerns than the locker students , they can try to apply scholarship or grants and find part-time work to settle their some financial concerns.

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The way of the international students reduce their financial stress

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The way of the international students reduce their financial stress

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At the survey results, 23.8% international students try to find work to reduce their financial stress and can train their independent ability and stress tolerance too. Next, 28.6% international students get the financial support from their parents so that they can focus on their studies and don’t need to worry any financial problem. But almost half with 47.6% international students limit their expenses to try reduce their financial stress with the scope of their ability. International students can make a money budget planning for every day and record their daily consumption, to make sure they don’t have waste any money on anything and reduce their some financial stress.

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Do the international students have work 

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Do the international students have work 

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At now , very common to see many international students working while they are studying. According to the survey results, over half with 52.4% international students working while they are studying to reduce their financial stress or earn some extra money use on any emergency situation that need money to solve. But least than half with 47.6% international students don’t working while they are studying , they get their financial support from their parents or scholarship to cover their financial problems. The international students who working while studying can make a week studies and jobs timetable so that they can maintain balance their both studies and work and won’t confusion the time of their studies and work , as it is very encourage international students working while they are studying as it can reduce their financial stress and get the work experience.

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The way of the international students get financial support

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The way of the international students get financial support

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These are the two common ways to let international students get financial support. According to the survey results, over half with 52.4% international students working by themselves to get the financial support and 47.6% international students get the financial support from their parents as some parents just want their children all focus on their studies, not need to think about the financial problems. International students working while they studying is a behavior of appreciation, as they can learn many things that useful for their future. International students who not need to think about their financial problems as they get their financial support from their parents, can try go to find a work however is a service or office types work , or find a service work of the school activity, it also has many benefits to them and let them have a extra pocket money

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Do the international students difficult to find a work

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Do the international students difficult to find a work

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International students very difficult to find a work in Kuching is a very common thing, including in other countries. According to the survey results, over half international students with 52.4% somewhat difficult to find a work in Kuching but they still can find a job in Kuching and other 28.6% international students didn’t find for a job in Kuching while they are studying. But 19% international students very difficult to find a work in Kuching. The international students who difficulty to find a job or haven find a job , can try go to participate student services roles. When their school has any activity that needs students to help , international students can try go to participate the activity , so that they can get the salary to reduce their financial problems. It also is a other way to get the financial support.

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 Do the work affect the international students’ studies 

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 Do the work affect the international students’ studies 

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Sometimes , the work will affect international students’ studies when they cannot balance their studies and work. At the survey results, 14.3% international students so far they no noticeable impact between their studies and work. But has 19% international students thought working while studying will affect the studies with negatively as they cannot balance both of them and 28.6% international students thought working while studying will affect their studies with positively as they can gain the work experience while they studying. Also has 38.1% international students don’t work while their studying as they get the financial support from other way. When international students who working while studying can learn how to balance their both work and studies and make a timetable, arrange the working time that they can work. Don’t rigid arrange the time such as tomorrow need to wake up so early for the class but today working until 12pm, it is a not good time arrangement. When they arrange the timetable in a right way, they not need to afraid their work will affect their studies anymore.

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The other kind of financial support that can let the international students get

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The other kind of financial support that can let the international students get

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Many international students need a way to get their financial support and reduce their financial stress. According to the survey results, 19% of the international students study hard to get the scholarships and 23.8% international students choose on-campus job opportunities to convenient them balance their both studies and work. Over half with 57.1% international students apply the living subsidies to be their financial support and reduce their some daily expenses. Some international students can go the company to internship to get their other financial support and accumulation their practical experience, it is helpful for them.

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We were able to learn how the international students reduce their financial stress and solve the employment problem in Kuching as a result of our survey and research. After conducting this study, we have discovered many interesting results.

According to the results of our study, firstly we recommend international students make a management of budgeting and money. They can create a realistic monthly budget for their tuition, rent and daily expenses. Try to avoid unnecessary spending such as reducing frequent eating outside, subscriptions or other things that no need to spend. Now there are many shops that have discounts for the students, like KopiLab Sarawak , Tonng Restaurant and others. The international students can go to the shop to enjoy the student discount. It is a way for international students to save their money. Next, international students can apply to university - specific scholarships or grants to reduce their financial stress. If the international students want to apply for the scholarship, they need to maintain their studies on the standard level in every semester. They also can try to find external grants like foundations to apply the grants to cover their tuition. When the international students finish their studies and start to work , they can back the money back to the external grants. Then, international students can go to find part-time work at their places or their school to reduce their financial stress or have extra money. They also can apply for on-campus jobs inside their school like library, cafeteria or research assistants roles, making it convenient for international students to balance their studies and their work. It also can train the international students’ stress tolerance and independent ability. Some international students are already doing the steps above the content , but most international students still need to have a plan to reduce their financial stress and solve their employment problems.

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The survey revealed several pressing challenges faced by international students at Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak Campus, in managing their finances and seeking employment during their studies. Many students expressed ongoing financial stress due to high tuition fees, living expenses, medical and transportation , all of which significantly affect their academic and personal well-being.

One of the most prominent issues reported was the high tuition fees that international students are required to pay. Unlike local students, international students pay significantly higher rates, often placing a substantial financial burden on their families. Many students rely heavily on parental support or personal savings, which can be unstable due to currency fluctuations or changes in family income. The inability to cover tuition without stress can lead to anxiety and affect students’ academic concentration. According to Johari et al. (2023), international students in Malaysia often face long-term financial pressure due to limited access to scholarships or education loans. This ongoing stress can lead to decreased academic performance and limited engagement in university life.

Beyond tuition, the daily cost of living in Kuching—such as rent, food, utilities, and internet—adds another layer of financial strain. Students often rent private apartments or shared housing, with monthly expenses ranging from RM800 to RM1,500 depending on location. Many respondents reported struggling to manage essentials like groceries, mobile data plans, and basic supplies. Some have had to sacrifice leisure activities or reduce meal quality to stay within budget. This aligns with findings from Abdullah et al. (2021), who highlighted the lack of financial literacy among students and the need for better money management skills. Without proper budgeting knowledge, students often experience overspending and subsequent stress.

Although all international students are covered by mandatory health insurance, many reported difficulties in navigating the Malaysian healthcare system. There is often confusion around what medical services are covered, how to make claims, and where to find approved clinics. The RM25 co-payment per outpatient visit, while seemingly small, can still deter students from seeking help when finances are tight. Moreover, not all health concerns are covered by insurance, such as dental care or mental health therapy. Tang et al. (2018) noted that younger international students often lack experience with foreign medical systems, leading to underutilization of healthcare services and worsening untreated conditions.

Transportation was also identified as a recurring issue. While ride-hailing services like Grab are commonly used, they can be expensive for daily commuting. Public transportation in Kuching is limited in terms of route coverage and frequency, making it unreliable for students with fixed class schedules. Students without personal vehicles find it difficult to travel to campus or part-time jobs. Although Swinburne Sarawak provides a shuttle service, availability and timing are often not suitable for everyone. These mobility limitations restrict access to employment, social interaction, and essential services, further intensifying the sense of financial and emotional pressure.

These findings highlight the urgent need for institutional and policy-level interventions to support international students more effectively. Swinburne Sarawak should consider expanding its financial aid offerings, providing budgeting workshops, and improving communication around medical insurance usage. Additionally, partnerships with local employers and advocacy for more flexible part-time work policies could enhance employment opportunities for international students. Improved shuttle coverage and subsidized transport options could also ease mobility challenges and reduce daily expenses.

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•Johari, A., Sulaiman, A., & Wahab, N. (2023). Economic Challenges Faced by International Students in Malaysia. International Journal of Academic Research.

•Abdullah, M., Ismail, R., & Cheah, S. (2021). Financial Literacy Among Youths in Higher Education. Malaysian Journal of Consumer and Family Economics.

•Tang, T., Li, M., & Wong, Y. (2018). Barriers to Healthcare Utilization among International Students. Journal of International Education.

•Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak. (2024). International Student Services and Insurance Information. Retrieved from www.swinburne.edu.my