Student Stories

When I first arrived in Melbourne in February 2024, I felt completely overwhelmed. I had my student visa, my OSHC, my accommodation sorted - but I didn't know a single person in Australia.

The first week was lonely. I'd see groups of friends at uni and feel like an outsider. But then I attended the clubs fair during O-Week. I joined the Indian Students Association and the Data Science Club. Within two weeks, I had a whole friend group!

Now, 10 months later, I work part-time as a data analyst intern (found through StudentVIP!), I've traveled to Sydney and the Great Ocean Road with friends, and I genuinely love Melbourne. My advice? Join clubs immediately. That's where you'll find your people.

Coming from Shanghai, I was nervous about my English. My IELTS was 6.5 - enough for the visa, but I worried it wasn't enough for real life.

The first time I ordered coffee, I panicked. "Flat white? Long black? What are these?!" The barista saw my confusion and kindly explained everything. That kindness is what I remember most about Australia - people WANT to help you.

I started studying at USYD in July 2023. First semester was tough - lectures were fast, group projects were challenging. But I joined the Chinese Students Society (600+ members!) and found study buddies. We'd meet at Fisher Library every week.

Now in my third semester, I'm much more confident. I work at a retail store in the city (15 hours/week), I've made friends from 8 different countries, and my English has improved so much. I even give campus tours to new Chinese students!

I chose Brisbane because everyone said Sydney and Melbourne were too expensive. Best decision ever!

I pay $200/week for my own room in a shared house in Kelvin Grove (20 min bus to QUT). My friends in Melbourne pay $280-320 for similar. The weather is also amazing - warm almost year-round, which reminded me of Brazil.

Starting my Master's in February 2024 was exciting but scary. I didn't know how I'd afford everything. But I found a job at a Brazilian restaurant in the city within 3 weeks! They loved that I spoke Portuguese and English. I work Friday-Sunday (penalty rates = $32-40/hour) and study Monday-Thursday.

The international student community in Brisbane is smaller than Sydney/Melbourne, but that made it easier to make real connections. I met my best friend (from Colombia) in the first lecture. We explored the entire city together - South Bank, Mt. Coot-tha, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.

Now 10 months in, I'm thriving. Good grades, good job, good friends, and I'm saving money to travel during semester break!

Coming from Kathmandu, I wanted a peaceful city to focus on my engineering degree. Adelaide was perfect.

I arrived in July 2023 with $5,000 in savings (took my family years to save this). I was terrified of running out of money. But Adelaide's low cost of living saved me - I found a shared room for $130/week in Mawson Lakes (near campus). That's HALF what friends pay in Sydney!

The Nepalese community here is strong - about 4,000 of us. Within days, I connected with other Nepali students who showed me around, helped me find a room, explained the bus system, and even gave me furniture they didn't need anymore. That community support was everything.

I started working at Coles (supermarket) in week 3. Night shift stocking shelves pays $30-35/hour, and it doesn't interfere with my classes. I work Wednesday and Friday nights, sleep during the day Thursday and Saturday. It's tough but I'm making $500-600/fortnight.

Now in my third semester, I've found my rhythm. Study hard, work 2 nights/week, cook Nepali food with friends on weekends (way cheaper than eating out!), and I'm actually enjoying the journey.

I chose Perth because it was different. Most of my friends went to Sydney or Melbourne, but I wanted an adventure.

Perth is ISOLATED - it's the most remote city in the world! But that isolation creates a special community. Everyone is friendlier because the city is smaller (2 million people vs Sydney's 5 million). I felt welcomed immediately.

I started my Master's in February 2024. Curtin University has a huge international student population - I met people from 40+ countries in my first week! The Latin American community organized a welcome BBQ at Cottesloe Beach (one of the most beautiful beaches I've ever seen).

Finding work took longer here (4 weeks vs my friends in Sydney who found jobs in 2 weeks), but I landed a marketing internship through Curtin's career services. It's unpaid but it's in my field, which is worth more than a retail job for my career.

I also work weekends at a cafe in Fremantle (gorgeous coastal suburb - total hipster vibe). Saturday-Sunday pays $33-38/hour. Between internship experience and weekend cash, I'm setting myself up well.

Perth surprised me. It's quieter than other cities, but that's exactly why I love it. Less stress, more nature, genuine friendships.