For Sri Lankan students considering higher education in Australia, deciding what to study, where to study and in which city to live can be just as important as the decision to study overseas itself.

With new career opportunities and occupations continuing to emerge across the global employment market, students are being encouraged to look beyond popular choices and advice from friends when deciding their future.

Speaking on the subject, Kolitha Fernando, Managing Director of Jeewa Education, said some students begin their Australian education journey with a fixed idea about a particular course, university or city, often influenced by friends or what appears to be popular among other Sri Lankan students.

However, he said the right decision requires a much broader assessment.

A student’s academic background, personal interests, abilities and long-term career ambitions should all be considered before selecting a programme. Equally important are practical factors such as the family’s budget and whether the chosen city is suitable for the individual student.

Australia offers students several major study destinations, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. But Fernando cautioned that choosing a city simply because friends or relatives live there may not necessarily lead to the best academic or personal outcome.

Instead, the course, education provider and destination should be considered together, based on the student’s individual circumstances and future plans.

This is particularly important for parents, who may be making a substantial financial commitment towards their child’s overseas education. A university or course that suits one student may not necessarily be the right choice for another.

According to Fernando, the role of a responsible education adviser should therefore extend beyond helping a student secure admission or obtain a visa.

“Jeewa’s role is not merely to secure a visa,” he said. “It is to provide evidence-based guidance that helps each student choose a suitable course, university and city.”

For students still uncertain about what they want to study, that uncertainty should not necessarily be viewed as a disadvantage. It can instead be an opportunity to carefully evaluate available options before committing to a major decision.

For parents and students alike, the message is simple: do not begin with the question, ‘Where are my friends going?’ Begin with, ‘What is right for my future?’

The right Australian education pathway should ultimately reflect the student’s abilities, ambitions, financial circumstances and long-term goals rather than simply following the crowd.

Students and parents seeking guidance on Australian higher education opportunities can contact:

Kolitha Fernando
Managing Director – Jeewa Education 076 855 9993 | 077 844 9993 | 076 555 9993