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The closure of four schools in Australia has left at least 400 Chinese students high and dry, prompting China's consulate in Sydney to caution against studying in the land down under.

"I just transferred to (Meridian International Hotel School) to resume my studies several days ago only to see it close," said "Joshua", a Chinese student, in an online forum.

Meridian International was one of four schools under the Global Campus Management Group in Sydney and Melbourne to be closed on Nov 5 after the group failed to repay debts.

There were approximately 400 Chinese students at Meridian International, according to China's consulate general in Sydney in a statement over the weekend. The consulate did not say how many Chinese students, who range in age from 16 to 20, were studying in the other three schools. Reports from the Chinese media gave estimates of nearly 1,000.

The consulate general warned Chinese students and their parents to be careful in choosing Australian colleges. It also called for authorities in Sydney and Melbourne to take action.

"Chinese diplomats in Australia have urged that local authorities properly handle the issue and meet with some of the Chinese students enrolled in the collapsed college group," the consulate said.

Chinese students account for 24 percent of international students in Australia.

The Global Campus Management Group is A$20 million ($18.4 million) in debt and was forced out of operation. The Group managed GCM Fashion Institute, Meridian International Hotel School, International Design School and the Meridian International School.

The Australian Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations has scheduled meetings today in Melbourne and later in the week in Sydney to brief students affected by the closure, according to a press release by the department on Friday.

International students at the colleges will be offered a place in a similar course at another institution, or a refund of their outstanding fees, the release said.

Questions:

1. Why was Meridian International Hotel School closed?

2. What is the age range of Chinese students who studied at the other three schools?

3. Where will the Australian Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations have meetings today?

Answers:

1. They failed to repay debts.

2. 16 to 20.

3. In Melbourne.

（英语点津 Helen 编辑）

About the broadcaster:

Nancy Matos is a foreign expert at China Daily Website. Born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, Nancy is a graduate of the Broadcast Journalism and Media program at the British Columbia Institute of Technology. Her journalism career in broadcast and print has taken her around the world from New York to Portugal and now Beijing. Nancy is happy to make the move to China and join the China Daily team.