There are several things I love to talk about in life: family, food and Australia. A year and a half ago I decided to depart on the adventure of a lifetime and so I packed up and moved from the small town of Otterburne, Manitoba, Canada to Geelong, Australia. In my mind I had decided that if I was going to go anywhere, I wasn’t going to go just half way across the world, but rather, all the way! So now I am a second year medical student at Deakin University and I have completely fallen in love with Australia.

To be honest, I had always been a homebody; however, after living in a small town for most of my life, I decided to see what else was out there. I had always wanted to become a doctor and I decided to mix my passion for medicine with my newly discovered passion for travel.

At the Deakin University Waurn Ponds Campus

After many hours researching on the internet and filling out what seemed to be a million applications to different universities in Australia, I was accepted into the Deakin School of Medicine’s Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery degree. To be honest, there may have been some screaming and jumping on my bed when I found out. For me, going to Deakin University just made sense. The staff at Deakin that helped me with my application process were so helpful and supportive. I loved that the Deakin School of Medicine was rurally focused and put a lot of effort into recruiting students from a variety of academic backgrounds, cultures and countries.

"For me, going to Deakin University just made sense. The staff at Deakin that helped me with my application process were so helpful and supportive."

Some beautiful views at my campus

So several months, a costly ticket, and one very large suitcase later, I was off to Australia! Coming to Australia has been the most amazing and terrifying experience of my life. I did not know a single person, so it was a big adjustment getting settled. However, it took very little time for me to make new friends. Australians are such welcoming people and everyone that I met helped me feel at home.

Australians are such welcoming people and everyone that I met helped me feel at home. The best part of living and studying in Australia is the weather and the beaches. Coming from the middle of Canada, where there is no ocean and it’s horribly snowy and cold for 5 months of the year, it still amazes me that I can just go to the beach and walk in the ocean at any time of the year.

The surf coast just past Torquay

When I’m not studying, there are so many things to do, whether that be going to the surf coast, exploring nature, going into Geelong or Melbourne. There are so many good cafés and restaurants in Melbourne, and there is an amazing Canada Day celebration every 1st of July! It’s also so easy to travel within Australia and I have visited both Tasmania and Perth so far.

Vineyards along the Tamar River, just outside Launceston, Tasmania

Watching the sun disappear into the ocean at the iconic Cottesloe Beach in Perth, Western Australia

I still have 2.5 years left in Australia, and while there are days that I miss home, I have never regretted my decision. The experiences I have had studying at Deakin and living in Australia are some of the best I have ever had. I cannot wait to see what the rest of my time at Deakin has in store for me!

The Gordon Institute of TAFE was a study destination that I decided on hesitantly. Being a TAFE, I felt the practical approach and real experience would help me further my studies and career path.

The Gordon has surpassed all expectations.
At this stage, I can look back on that decision and confidently say I have no regrets whatsoever.

The teachers are a great asset. The amount of care and attention they provide exceeds expectations. I go to class every morning knowing that I have their full backing and support. Lessons are broken down into very simple and concise parts, our nursing labs are fully equipped with state of the art tools and our lesson plans are setup to match the current needs of the work force.

The students are very welcoming and ready to interact. I have made friends who have become family. The multicultural environment made settling in a lot easier. Finding my way around during the first few weeks of admission was no problem because staff are always ready to direct you to your destination.

I am happy I made The Gordon my study destination; I could not have had it any better.

Studying the Diploma of Equine Management at Marcus Oldham has been an amazing opportunity for me in helping to achieve my future goals. This year has already opened many doors into a world known to be difficult to establish yourself in.

With my ultimate goal to import and breed quality Portuguese Lusitano horses in Australia, Marcus is helping me understand the values of creating a strong business plan as well as providing me with all the knowledge I could hope to gain about the equine industry, and more. Choosing to become a student at Marcus has been one of the best decisions of my life so far. Marcus Oldham is helping to make my dreams a reality.

As far as we know, Australia is a multicultural and multinational country in the world. The Australian education is pretty distinguished and it has too many advantages so that it can attract more and more people to come to study the knowledge they like. As an international student from China, I will narrate my many interesting experiences and my feelings for Australia.

So why didn't I choose the other cities in Australia but I selected Geelong? When I lived in China, the pressure of every senior high school students is very heavy. To finish my homework, I had to go to school at 6:50am and go to sleep at about 1:00 in night. So I produced an original thought-go abroad to explore a new life which is both relaxing and I can learn some utile knowledge. In my opinions, I checked some cities and towns in Australia and learnt about the information of cities. Among the cities, when I saw the beautiful sceneries and colourful cultures, I fell love in the interesting town, Geelong. I was absorbed deeply by the environment and the enthusiasm of the people. A new journey for me has extended!

 With curiosity and excitement, I got off the airplane and observed everything surrounding me. What a beautiful city! What a great way! With the tender sunshine, I saw the wonderful view in my sight. Cool and refreshing sea wind fanned my face, the feeling was like in the fairyland. The wide blue sea was like a big piece of mirror even can see all kinds of fishes were swimming.

 Geelong-a glamorous place. It takes too much invaluable memory to me. I am studying in North Geelong Secondary College and I can choose more types of classes which I am interested in. I have made friends with many people including the teachers here. They are always very amiable and if I feel bored and helpless I always make a conversation with them to release my pressure. I still remembered that when I came to GEELONG initially, I even couldn't speak with the other people mainly because my English was too weak and I didn't want to talk something. When it was difficult to deal with the  problems, there were too many people to encourage me to inspire my confidence and talk more with the others. I felt the care and warmth from my friends and determined to practice my English.

 Now, doing some sports with my friends is my favourite, meanwhile, practising my English is still the most important assignment. Talking some difficult problems with other people, watching some interesting English movies can help me how to utilize and comprehend the grammar and the vocabulary. I always listened to the customs, life as well as history of Geelong. I love the sea scenery of Geelong and almost not any contamination. With the warm sunshine and blue sky, that is a great picture!

Geelong is a very wonderful town! The location is very special because it is near many interesting places and when I have time,I can go to play with my friends and family. The simple and honest folkways are the other special traits. On the other hand, it is very near to Melbourne-the cultural centre of Australia. But Geelong has the unique quiet and it makes people very comfortable rather than the noisy of Melbourne. In Geelong, I can't find any trouble in everyday life, only relax and happiness.

I love Geelong! It is my new favourite hometown and I never forget it. Never!