The journey has just begun
Chapter 2
It’s just the jump I was so worried about. That brief moment of panic as I was to be immersed somewhere different and I knew that would require some adjustment.
Could there be a better sight than seeing an international student help desk at the final destination airport and friendly students, holding placards to welcome us to Australia? I later learnt the welcome desk was staffed by local and international student volunteers to greet students and offer orientation advice including maps and information about accommodation, transport etc. Even though my agent had organised for my pick-up, it was good to know there would have been a back-up had anything gone wrong at the arrival airport. Listening to my alumna friends, we have all had different experiences when it comes to our journey as international students in Australia and I will try and touch on a few of their experiences where necessary, to give as much information as is possible.
What about those students whose flights were delayed while in transit and the welcoming team had to depart from the airport leaving our exhausted students stranded? When this happens, please do not panic. Almost every airport we have come across has a help desk and is manned by helpful staff who understand the needs of foreigners arriving into their country. Have details of the university contact person, accommodation as well as contacts of our BU team. That will definitely get things moving.
For anybody who has met me, you know my travel mantra. ‘Immerse yourself in the local culture’. A great friend told me to go in with a sponge attitude and soak up everything Australia had to offer and I feel that was one of the best pieces of advice I have heard to date. Having studied and lived in Australia & NZ for 15 years and the other part spent in Kenya, gives me reason to feel as if I have the best of both worlds…cliché but true.
As an international student, I was definitely going to thrive in my new home away from home! I had read through all those sites which taught me the common slang words used in everyday conversations in Aussie. I could not forget my dad’s words of wisdom on being mindful and respectful of your surroundings and how one’s behaviour not only reflects on you but your country as well. Being young, those words had little meaning to me. Looking back, those words, are everything! (there goes my love for exclamation marks) Having a high level of self awareness and being on your best behavior will not only earn you respect but it can bring great pride to your home country. I must mention our Kenyan born Australian Senator Lucy Gichuhi who was sworn in last year as the first black African member of the federal parliament of Australia. You should have seen the Kenyan alumni pride coming through!!!
Okay, back to the airport. Here I was down-under heading to my new accommodation where I would be sharing with a few others. All the accommodation options had been given to us. On campus accommodation was a bit pricey for me and the best option was to find shared accommodation off campus. The agent had made sure, we found a place not too far from the transport route that goes directly into university. She made sure it was near a shopping centre where I could purchase my groceries easily and in an area that was multi-cultural to make my integration less challenging. My life down-under continues next week as I attempt to discuss the next topic, ‘The Balancing Act’.
