SUSPICIONS of being a terrorist, different dress standards, finding a place to worship and having female teachers are just some of the battles encountered by Muslim students studying in WA.
However, Perth university staff and police are helping international students integrate into society through workshops and facilities.
Curtin University of Technology support services director Michelle Rogers said it ran orientation sessions for international students on transport, food outlets, handling finances, tenancy support, recreation facilities, multi-faith services and safety.
“Our international Muslim students come from several different countries and can face a variety of problems, including finding an Islamic place of worship that has the necessary specifications, including ablution facilities, and appropriate prayer direction,” she said.
Basic lifestyle problems they faced included buying halal food and cultural differences like alcohol being freely available in Australia, which was not the case in Muslim societies, and the different dress standards.
“Muslim students can experience difficulties in their student living situations that they may need to deal with autonomously without having the direct authority of a Muslim leader to resolve the situation,” Ms Rogers said.
University of WA assistant professor Zarrin Siddiqui said landlords could think Muslim males were associated with terrorist groups and many with the name Ali, which was a common Muslim name, called themselves Allen. She said a female student with a part-time job had found it difficult during Ramadan when she was fasting from dawn to dusk and was denied a 30-minute break for prayer.
Murdoch University professor David Macey said its orientation last week helped all international students integrate.
Many Muslim students were student ambassadors at the university, welcoming new students and helping to make the experience more familiar.
All international students felt lonely and isolated being away from families, he added.
There is a Murdoch University Muslim Association, separate male and female areas at the Muslim Centre for Prayer and halal food sold at the food court.
Police provide crime prevention advice to new students, including how to reduce being a victim of crime. South East Metropolitan District Superintendent Paul Zanetti said police engaged with students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds through workshops and discussed access to policing services.