International students have no need to be lonely when they arrive in Australia. All they need do is join a club or organisation and they will meet friendly, supportive Aussies.

That's according to Delmay Shem, who has come from Vanuatu to CQUniversity Rockhampton with help from AusAid, to study a Masters in Professional Accounting.

Delmay Shem enjoys the surroundings on campus

Delmay, who was born in the Solomons, was commenting on news that Australia has been judged the world's 3rd most friendly nation (with a 91% approval rating). The global survey is explained at this LINK  You can LINK here for Delmay on video .

She said that joining a Rockhampton church group was her key to finding a network of friends. Some of the congregation even helped out with second-hand furniture, as her rental house was unfurnished when she first moved in.

Delmay says her children have settled in well to the community and their school and are enjoying playing soccer. Her husband has visited Rockhampton (he works for Westpac Bank in Vanuata) and was impressed enough to consider moving to the Beef Capital in the longer-term.

In the shorter term, Delmay has committed to return to Vanuatu for at least 2 years after graduating at the end of this year.

Delmay says Rockhampton's climate is similar to her home country in summer but the Rockhampton winter is a little too cool ... "but I am surviving".