Life as an International Student in Australia: Part 1 — My Journey
Leaving home for the first time with the intention of living alone for an extended period is a leap of faith like no other. For me, embarking on this journey to Australia as an international student was both thrilling and daunting. I had always imagined what it would be like to live abroad, but nothing truly prepares you for the reality of building a life in a foreign country.
Arrival and the Essentials
My first few days in Sydney were a whirlwind of settling into the basics of life as an international student. Opening a bank account, obtaining a local phone number, and figuring out transportation routes were all part of the initiation process. Each step was a reminder that I was no longer a visitor — I was here to stay, and these small tasks were the foundation for creating a new chapter of independence.
However, my arrival coincided with a particularly challenging period for students in Australia. The COVID-19 pandemic had recently subsided, and universities that had previously allowed distance learning were now mandating in-person attendance. This sudden influx of students returning to campus created a housing crisis like no other. Finding accommodation was no longer just about choice; it was about survival.
The Housing Struggle
For two weeks, I lived in a backpacker hotel while scouring listings, attending open houses, and battling for a place to call my own. Apartment hunting felt like a war, with countless students vying for the same limited spaces. The process was exhausting — racing to open houses after classes, sending countless applications, and often being met with rejection. One of the biggest hurdles I faced was the lack of prior renting proof, which put me at a significant disadvantage compared to other applicants with established rental histories. It felt like an endless loop: I needed to rent to build my renting portfolio, but landlords wanted renters with a good portfolio already. This made securing a place even more challenging, adding to the already intense competition for housing.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I secured a small studio in a student lodging near my university. It was a simple yet very comfortable space, perfectly situated just a six-minute walk to campus. After the chaos of searching, this small victory felt monumental. Settling into my new apartment was a relief — it provided a sense of stability and comfort amidst the challenges — and also marked the beginning of the next phase of my journey: adapting to life as a student and worker in Sydney.
Balancing Work and Study
One of the biggest adjustments was applying for and maintaining a part-time job — a concept familiar to me in theory but entirely new in practice. In Indonesia, part-time jobs for students are rare, so this was uncharted territory. I landed a position as a Room Attendant at a five-star hotel in Sydney, a physically demanding job that tested my endurance and adaptability.
Juggling my shifts with my academic schedule was a constant balancing act. Early mornings at the hotel were followed by lectures and late nights studying. The work itself was challenging, with high standards and fast-paced demands that left little room for error. It was tough, but it also taught me resilience and time management — skills that would become invaluable throughout my studies and beyond.
Academic Challenges
If balancing work and life wasn’t enough, my academic journey added another layer of complexity. As a law student, I was not only adapting to a new country but also diving into an entirely different legal system. Australia’s common law system is vastly different from Indonesia’s civil law system, requiring a fundamental shift in how I approached studying and problem-solving.
Case law, precedents, and judgments became the cornerstone of my studies, a stark contrast to the statute-based legal system I was accustomed to. Each assignment felt like climbing a mountain — reading countless cases, analyzing judgments, and trying to make sense of a legal framework that was still foreign to me. It was overwhelming at times, but it also pushed me to expand my understanding of the law in ways I hadn’t before.
Reflections on the Journey
Looking back on my first months as an international student in Australia, I see a period of immense growth. From navigating a housing crisis to juggling demanding work and rigorous academics, every challenge was a step toward becoming more independent and resilient. It wasn’t easy, but it was transformative.
This journey taught me that adapting to new environments isn’t just about learning the rules; it’s about embracing the discomfort, finding your footing, and carving out a path in unfamiliar territory. While the road was often bumpy, it was also filled with lessons I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where I’ll dive deeper into the Master of International Commercial and Business Law program and what it taught me about the intricacies of global legal systems.
