Video Transcription

Dating in Australia:

I have a CI, I would just go to my doctor right away. When my friend got an STI, the most difficult thing was that back home, the idea of sex before marriage is a big no-no. He wasn’t married, he was overseas, and his family was paying a lot of money for him to do his degree. Basically, he didn’t want to go to any doctor to ask about his sexual health because he thought they might tell his parents. There was a lot of pressure from that, and he didn’t want to go.

Some STIs do not necessarily seem obvious when you have them, but I think realistically speaking, a lot of people probably don’t know they have one. I’d say seeing doctors here is more common, even for the smallest things. There is nothing that you can’t ask a doctor, and no question is stupid. So, make sure you ask everything you need to know so you’re well protected and have all the knowledge you need.

There are a lot of people, especially Chinese students, who don’t know how to get PrEP. I didn’t really know what PrEP was when I first got it. Basically, PrEP is something that prevents you from getting HIV. It’s like daily pills you take every day. PEP is something you take after being exposed. If you feel like you’ve been exposed—usually through unprotected sex—you take PEP to prevent yourself from getting HIV. If you take PrEP, you still need to use a condom. If you’re not an Australian citizen, you can get it online. If you are, it’s covered by the government.

A lot of young women who are international students definitely prefer safe sex, even though condoms are freely available in university bathrooms. In the moment, it’s very hard to rely on your partner to consider your emotions or your sexual health before their own demands or desires. I think most young people now have a good understanding of sexual health. I think the issue is about maintaining it in practice.

Video by fpv.org.au