IT might be one of the longest trips they ever take, but a group of University of Newcastle international students have arrived back in the Hunter.
The university welcomed 19 students from 11 countries back on Thursday following 72 hours of self-isolation after their chartered flight landed in Sydney on Monday.
The cohort is part of a state government pilot plan to bring international students back to NSW.
Another flight is due to arrive on Christmas Eve, with a third in early January.
University of Newcastle vice-chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky said it was exciting to welcome the students back to campus.
"It's been an incredibly difficult two years and we couldn't be more proud of these students, who have continued to work hard and maintain their studies in the face of numerous setbacks," Professor Zelinsky said.
"Their return is also a credit to the university's hard-working lecturers, tutors and course convenors, and the unwavering dedication they have shown to their students.
"While we are not quite out of the woods yet, being able to welcome this cohort of students is hopefully a sign of things to come for all of Australia in 2022."
Professor Zelinsky said international students made an important contribution to the fabric of the university's campus life and culture, and would be a positive for the broader region.
"An institution of learning is about more than just studies, exams and degrees," he said.
"The people at our universities serve to enrich the whole community and our international students are central to what makes our university such an important part of our regions."
