Australia is a wonderful country that attracts a big number of international students from all across the world. Students want to pursue higher education in Australia for a variety of reasons, including the high level of education, natural attractions, and culture.

When it came to deciding where I wanted to pursue my higher education, Australia was the first country that came to mind. I searched for universities and decided on the University of Newcastle in Newcastle. The tuition was a little expensive, but the teachers and educational quality were exceptional.

Being an international student in Australia entails more than just attending university, studying, and working; it also entails learning about Australia’s incredible culture and way of life.

In August of 2018, my partner and I arrived in Sydney. I was a little anxious at first because I was missing home so much. We were completely unfamiliar with the place, but we were lucky in that we had family here. My brother-in-law offered us a place to stay in his home. So that was a fantastic aspect of living in Sydney; otherwise, we would have had to pay more for our living expenses.

Life in University

When I first arrived at the University of Newcastle, everything seemed strange. There were students from various countries, including China, France, Russia, India, Pakistan, and the United States, as well as many local students who were extremely kind and supportive. But, as time passed, my nervousness faded, and I became accustomed to the study environment and culture. I made many friends from various countries, which greatly aided me in learning about their cultures. The educational quality was excellent, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time. Few of my teachers were from abroad, while others were from within the country and were extremely professional and knowledgeable in their fields.

The next step was to look for a job because I had to pay my own tuition fees, which are higher in Australian universities than in other countries. In any case, I began applying for jobs all over the place. On my orientation day, my professor advised me not to include too much experience on my resume. Only include information that is relevant to the position for which you are applying. So, I tailored my resume to the jobs and began applying online at every recruitment site I could find, but I received no response. Then I printed my resume and personally went to all the markets and stores to hand out my resume. At the very least, this allows you to interact with the employer directly.

Finally, I received a few calls and went for interviews, but I was always turned down for one reason: I was an ‘international student.’ I found an ad for a Junior Software Developer on the career page and decided to apply, and after a few interviews, I was selected. It was only a two-month trial term, but they loved my work so much that they offered me a permanent position as a Software Developer. My salary helped me not only paying my entire tuition fee but also saved money for other expenses.