Cold winters and empty rooms: the hidden ache of student isolation

Yuki Teng is one of the 6496 international students studying at the Australian National University (ANU) who are a long way from home. And while she is far from alone in trying to build a life in Canberra, she is lonely.

"I felt very isolated. The winter was very cold, and I could barely see anyone on the street, in my apartment, or at school at that time. I was feeling low and uncomfortable," Ms Teng said.

Yuki Teng, an international student from China studying at ANU, has experienced loneliness living in Canberra. Picture by Karleen Minney