Friends: adding that extra zing to university life

-By Karen

Ann yeoung!
Konichiwa!
Xin chao!
Ni hao!
Bonjour!
Ciao!
Hola!

Sawadee!
Namaste!
Kumusta!

Ok, I think you get the gist by now. Those are just some of the "Hello"s of the world that I have learned so far in this journey called 'life'. The most awesome part about that is, I learned all of them from a bunch of amazing people that I had the privilege of meeting while at University.

If you're like me then you'll know that being so far away from home can really tear you apart, and that feeling can sometimes make the university experience much more daunting than it already is. I remember being so excited that I would start packing my luggage 1-2 weeks prior to the end of the semester (and this is coming from one person who hates packing with a passion!) And I did all of that just so I could board the next flight home as soon as the semester break begins.

But of course, this does not mean that I hated my time at university. I loved it and I am so grateful that I was given the opportunity to chase my dreams. I am also grateful for the people that I've met along the way, and they are the reason behind my writing today. Being away from home and family meant leaving my bubble world and stepping out of my comfort zone. And the further away I was, the more desperately I wanted to keep my family close. Yes, there is a never-ending list of ways I can communicate with my family but it isn't the same as being "home". And it was times like these that friends played an even bigger role in my life. They became my comfort zone and my family while I was miles away from mine. Their presence added that extra zing factor to my achievements at Deakin University.

So here's ONE tiny advice I'm sharing with you today about surviving university life, especially if you're far away from home. Establish positive and meaningful friendships with those around you. The next time you're early for a lecture or tutorial, sit next to someone and say, "Hello". Chances are they will say "Hello" back! And by the end of the semester, you might have just extended your knowledge with a few new languages.

Here's a song that I would listen to on repeat for days when I'd feel extra homesick. A beautiful song performed by one of my favourite artists and from my favourite cartoon show. Don't judge me, but I still love my cartoons. Haha!

What are your tips to surviving life at university? Share it with me and everyone else in the comments section below =)

xx Karen

Deakin rollercoaster - the ups and downs of university life

-By Ryan D'Souza


When I started to think about this blog topic, I had no idea where to start and where to end. Really speaking, the ups and downs of university life are so many that one can go on and on. You ask any student about his/her experience at university, and you can come up with a huge book.



Let me share with you my experience at Deakin. The first good thing was that I received an offer letter from the University. Being accepted by a prestigious and renowned university gave me immense pride. When people asked me, ‘Which university are you studying at?’, and I replied, ‘Deakin,’ it gave me a tremendous sense of satisfaction that I had decided to pursue my dreams at one of the best universities in Australia.

But then started week one!


The system of education in Australia  was completely different from that in my home country. During week one, I was bombarded with lots and lots of information about units, assignments, workshops etc and as the weeks kept flying, I wondered how was I surviving. There is also the cultural transition that international students have to make, and this can be a very difficult process at times. The good thing is that you don’t have to feel stressed - the university is there to help you and of course, you have friends whom you can always rely on.

Speaking of friends, I have made and continue making new friends from different countries - friendships that I will cherish forever. I have also had the opportunity to mentor new students and this has been very fulfilling for me. Doing well in exams and obtaining good grades has been very rewarding as well. Balancing studies and work has helped me to become more focussed and improve my time-management skills. Above all, my post-graduate studies have broadened my thinking and equipped me with skills that will certainly help me in my professional career.

I am waiting for that special day - the day we all look forward to! I can already visualise myself standing in a line waiting for my name to be called and then being crowned a graduate! At that moment, I will think about the first day when I started my degree at Deakin, I will think about the struggles and difficulties I faced, I will think about the hardships and the trials I went through, I will think about the sleepless nights I had, and I will smile with a tear in my eye, and say, ‘Well done Ryan, it was worth it!’

Culture Shock: Landing in England

-By Troy

London: Trafalgar Square

I’m trudging through the cobble stone streets after spending a grand total of 32 hours in airports and 3 hours on a train. I’m tired and it’s cold and I haven’t got a map. I’m lugging my bags behind me and have no idea where I am!

I’ve arrived in Exeter, Devon and have just found out I was meant to buy linen for my student accommodation so I decided to walk into town to locate a department store….


And after a very VERY long walk see that all the stores in the UK close at 4pm. Now I am grumpy! That’s it; I’m going home!

A week later and I still haven’t fully sorted out all my subject selections. I’ve flown all this way and nothing is working out! Yep, I’m totally done.

Two weeks later, things are starting to fall into place!

Culture shock is the experience of adjusting to a new culture, a new place –

I did a little reading on this before I left for my Deakin Study Abroad program and honestly thought I was the last person that this could happen to!

It can manifest in many ways – Sadness, homesickness, grumpiness, frustration, and it’s completely NORMAL! Many students come to Deakin from all over the country as well as interstate, and I’ll pass on two pieces of advice that was given to me on my first day of study in the UK:

1. Don’t Panic.

2. DON’T PANIC

There have been so many days over the last two weeks where I have felt so fed up, so over it, I’d have happily jumped on the nearest flight back to Melbourne. But something in the back of my head stops me and says, ‘Hang on, I wanted this, I made this happen... I’m doing it!’

University of Exeter Streatham Campus

Transition is hard – and I anticipate many of you are in the same boat – And starting at a new place is scary! But stick with it – seek out help and support and be hopeful that things are going to work out. If you’re away from home, I found bringing photos and little reminders helped heaps! And keep connected on Facebook and Skype.

A Gum-Tree outside
my student res block!

Three weeks down; I have shared the ups and downs with housemates - my new brothers and sisters for the next six months; I have all my coursework settled, and I’m already planning some trips up to London, France and Amsterdam. Things are looking up!
 

Peace out!
Troy

My new flatmates and me (in the middle)!