Some of the challenges that I faced when coming to Australia for my studies was finding a
suitable accommodation and also getting used to the online academic environment at the
university here.
Because it’s the first week of the university when the orientation starts, it’s pretty
hectic. You get a lot of information thrown at you. You’d be sitting in classrooms hearing
from different services at the university. So, at that point of time when you have to
find accommodation it can get a little bit tricky. And finding the right one can be even
more tricky.
Because I come from China, and the east culture is very different from the west culture in
Australia.
As a student international student I had a cultural shock, especially English language,
from the second English speaking country.
I’m from Canada and the education system is fairly similar but the expectations were
a little bit different for me here. So adjusting to that I sort of fell behind and I was probably
about a month behind in studies. Um, and that really affected my stress level and I fell
into sort of a downward spiral of not seeking help, and that actually was very detrimental
to my stress and I could have made it a lot easier if I had asked questions and sought
out the people who could help me in adjusting.
I had a lot of appointment with the accommodation officer during the O-week (orientation week),
and she personally helped me look up on UniStays (university accommodation website) and found
accommodation options that are suitable to my liking and to my interests that I had logged
down. She actually drove me to a couple of places to have a look, let me have a look
at these places, and she actually contacted a few landlords on my behalf and she talked
to them. And then she um, assisted me in getting to have a look at the house, and then, helping
me make the right choice.
I can understand it’s a different culture between China and Australia, and in Australia
it’s no barriers between teacher and the students.
So, we can ask question, don’t think about this question is too silly or something like
that, just ask question if you don’t understand the issues.
Academic Skills Development (Learning Zone) is the resource that I found helpful in term
of improving the learning skills that I lacked, especially referencing skills and writing
skills relevant to my course. So, it’s been really wonderful experience.
And having access to that help; and librarians were there, my student colleagues’ were
there, UniMentors were there, lecturer was always there, always approachable at any time
and all been there for me so I felt really been part of his community, great experience.
For me personally dealing with the stress, I started seeing a counsellor, and utilising
the counselling services at the Uni, and that was really beneficial for me because it made
me, sort of got me to, take an outsides perspective on what was stressing me out about academics,
what was stressing me out about my personal life and it sort of got me back on track.
The counselling service also provided me with the opportunity to realise that we can have
special consideration if you have certain circumstances that affect your studies and
are prohibiting from actually studying on track.
Well I would like to say make the most of this opportunity because not a lot of people
have this opportunity to study internationally.
And, especially here at Southern Cross University, there is a lot of student support, be it academic,
be it with your Uni life. I had a few bumps in the beginning getting used to the academic
system here and getting used to the academic expectations at the university in terms of
assignments and exams that didn’t quite exact back home.
I would recommend new international students give themselves more time to learn about the
local culture and to learn about the different education system. And, also eat healthy and
have some sport to keep body healthy. And, set out the academic goals and when you achieve
your academic goals you can get more confident.
University has got a variety, range of services available, student hub is here as a contact
point. Academic skills there, library there, fellow students are here, Coastrs (student
association). It’s full of resources available to help your experience in Australia, especially
Southern Cross University. A very wonderful experience and memory.
Firstly, welcome. Welcome here, you made it. I think just take advantage of the international
officer, they’re second to none in there services, they’re here to help you and they’re
the first point of contact you have when you first arrive here. Find a balance, don’t
just focus on academic, don’t just party, like an animal, but find the balance between
the two and enjoy your time, you only live once.