Where is your home country?

Indonesia

What do you study?

Master of Applied Linguistics and Master of Translation

Where do you study?

University of New South Wales

What languages do you speak?

Acehnese, Indonesian, English

What advice do you have for other international students?

I grew the most when I left my comfort zone, so my advice to my fellow international students is, leave your comfort zone and say “yes” to every opportunity that can develop your skills. It might seem daunting at first but to flourish you need to place yourself in a situation that challenges you and see what you are really capable of and what you need to improve. Once you work through it, you may find confidence, strength and potential you never knew you had and come out as the best possible version of yourself.

What opportunities has studying in NSW given to you?

Australia has been very kind by welcoming me to the country through the prestigious Australia Awards Scholarship. I chose NSW as my study destination at the time for its academic excellence, great cultural vibrancy, as well as linguistic diversity that suits my area of interest.

As I became a student here, it turned out that NSW offered me even more. Not only did I receive a high quality education that would help forge my future career, I also received a variety of opportunities to develop my skills from various institutions.

I had a magnificent opportunity from the Asia Education Foundation in partnership with Australia Awards to be an Indonesian Language Learning Ambassador (ILLA) for St. Mary’s Catholic College, Casino, NSW. Through this program, I helped to advance the students’ knowledge about Indonesian culture and language as well as improved my own understanding about Australia. Not only that, I established a good relationship with the teachers and students.

I was lucky enough to receive a highly valuable opportunity as a Team Leader at the Study NSW International Student Welcome Desk, at which I worked together with crew members to provide a friendly welcome and assistance to international students as well as visitors who have just arrived at Sydney International Airport. The happy faces and the smiles of the people I helped at the desk really inspire me to do more.

At UNSW, I also had the opportunity to share my knowledge with my fellow postgraduate students as a Peer Mentor while improving my own knowledge and skills.

Studying in NSW has indeed opened many doors for me, and I believe that choosing to study here is the best decision I’ve ever made in life.

Fun fact

When I was seven, I was awed by the Sydney Opera House image on my father’s desk calendar and wondered how it looked in reality. Now here I am where the Sydney Opera House is, and I could say that I am impressed no matter how many times I see it!

What has been your favourite experience in NSW?

Volunteering has been my favourite activity in NSW through which I could immerse myself with the community and use my knowledge and potential to help those in need. Additionally, I met new people from various education and cultural backgrounds from whom I learnt many new things.

Volunteering is a great activity that gives me personal satisfaction, boosts my confidence and opens my eyes to what is going on in the outside world. There are many causes that are worth fighting for, and I did my best to help some of them, such as education, environment, health, homelessness, disability, arts & culture. It is indeed a great feeling to know that a small action of ours can impact the lives of others. I am positive that if everyone also did their share of helping, the world would be a much better place.