A recent report reveals that international students in Ireland are falling prey to an alarming accommodation scam, with one in 20 facing proposals for a room in exchange for sexual favors. The Irish Council of International Students (ICOS) conducted a comprehensive survey of 819 students from 73 countries, uncovering various challenges beyond the scam, including overcrowding, scamming, unaffordable rents, substandard conditions, and lengthy commutes.
According to the research, 13% of respondents have been victims of accommodation scams, but shockingly, only 11% reported these incidents to the police. The findings also highlight significant issues such as 81% of English language students and 31% of higher education students sharing rooms, mental health deterioration due to the housing crisis (as agreed by 55% of respondents), and a lengthy accommodation search for one in ten students, taking over 100 days.
Furthermore, 10% of respondents pay rent exceeding 1,000 euros per month, while an equal percentage live more than 15 kilometers away from their educational institutions. The most distressing revelation is that 5% of students either directly received offers for accommodation in exchange for sex or encountered ads promoting such arrangements.
Expressing concern over these findings, ICOS Executive Director Laura Harmon emphasized the potential damage to Ireland's reputation as a study destination. She stated, "Among a range of other serious issues, we are particularly concerned about the evidence of predators seeking sex in lieu of rent." Harmon stressed the impact of the housing crisis on the overall student experience, undermining the efforts of educational institutions.
The report includes harrowing experiences, such as a Brazilian student encountering a property housing 18 residents. Testimonies from students recount landlords propositioning them for sexual favors in exchange for lodging, further emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
In response to these challenges, the ICOS report calls for urgent action, advocating for the construction of affordable, purpose-built student accommodation. Additionally, the report urges increased inspections of private rental properties to ensure compliance with minimum standards.
Despite these pressing issues, international enrollment in Ireland reached an all-time high in the academic year 2022-23, with 33,480 students – a notable 12% increase compared to the previous year. Irish Ambassador Brendan Ward has expressed a desire for more Indian undergraduates to pursue higher studies in Ireland, with 6,422 student visas issued to Indians in 2022, indicating a positive trend in international student interest.
(With Agency Inputs)
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