Report: What Students Are Talking About - Australia Edition

Access the full report here: Before They Land—What International Students Reveal About Their Pre-Arrival Experience in Australia

Why the Pre-Arrival Window Is a Missed Opportunity

While most strategies in international student recruitment focus on arrival or the start of semester, the most emotional, and decisive, part of the journey happens much earlier. During the pre-arrival phase, students are full of questions, uncertainty, and decisions. And they’re not waiting for orientation to act.

In our latest research, we used Goin’s AI-powered analyzer to review over 2 million anonymized student messages and cycle data from our student communities across Australia. We uncovered six dominant themes shaping this critical phase: from housing panic and visa anxiety to cultural expression and emotional wellbeing. 

‍

Here are a few key takeaways you’ll find explored in the full report:

• Visa questions need peer speed. Students aren’t just looking for official timelines. They’re seeking firsthand advice from others going through the same process.
  
  
• Housing is the earliest crisis. Shared stories of scams, high prices, and deadlines often spark mass stress long before academic planning begins.
  
  
• Students prep for life, not just lectures. Jobs, phone plans, groceries, these practical concerns dominate early group chats.
  
  
• Community replaces uncertainty. Students who connect with peers early report lower anxiety, higher confidence, and increased intent to enroll.
  
  
• Emotional support scales peer-to-peer. Students who receive support often become supporters themselves, adding to a self-sustaining community that benefits everyone.

Each of these touchpoints shapes not just how students prepare, but how likely they are to follow through with enrollment, feel ready to engage, and ultimately succeed. 

‍

The Strategic Opportunity for Universities

The biggest takeaway? Many of the most pressing pre-arrival concerns are already being addressed — but not by institutions. They’re being solved by students themselves, through real-time peer conversations.

This presents a critical opportunity for universities to step in, support, and scale what’s already working — without adding extra pressure on staff.

By understanding how students are already seeking help, institutions can:

• Boost conversion and reduce summer melt by supporting peer-led spaces that build trust before day one.
  
  
• Track engagement earlier to identify and support students at risk of dropping off.
  
  
• Foster belonging and confidence before arrival, building momentum and community through opt-in, student-driven initiatives.
  
  
• Improve onboarding strategy with practical, research-based recommendations tailored to the actual questions and emotional needs students express pre-arrival.

‍

Access the Full Report:

Before They Land: What International Students Reveal About Their Pre-Arrival Experience in Australiat for actionable recommendations, community insights, and examples of how your university can start strengthening the pre-arrival journey, from visa stress and housing concerns to mental wellbeing and cultural connection.

Access report here.