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– By Sarah Koay
“What should I choose to study?” “What kind of jobs can I get in the future?” These are questions students often ask themselves (or get asked), and I was no exception. I always thought I would choose something to do with Business and Management (coming from an extended family of businessmen), but I fell in love with Psychology somewhere along the way.
Studying away from home is not easy. As an international student from Malaysia, I left the comfort of home to pursue a degree in Psychology at the University of Melbourne. Time flies – it can’t be third year already! With the help of the support services provided by AUG Malaysia, I managed to secure a spot at my university of choice and was even offered a scholarship with Monash University in Australia.
My Interest in Mental Health and Why I Chose Psychology
Adjusting to my new ‘home’ in Melbourne took time and this came with its own set of challenges. However, my personal experience with mental health has influenced my life positively, and I found a passion in helping others with their struggles, which is why Psychology appeals to me so much. My university experience here feels like a blessing, where my university mates are both open and receptive to mental health, and I often leave classes inspired by the thoughtful and insightful discussions that I get to be a part of.
Tips for New Students
If you ever feel down or struggle to adapt to your new environment, consider utilizing the Counseling and Psychological Services offered by the University of Melbourne, available free of charge for all its students, UniMelb Counsel! It’s a high-in-demand service and you often need to book in a session week in advance, but it’s a great way to seek support and learn adaptive ways to cope with any challenges.
Great Opportunities for Professional Development
As students, it’s also important to consider your professional development regardless of which field you’re in. AUG organizes many great events and opportunities catering to this. Last year, I attended the AUG x Navitas Job Shop event and had the opportunity to get my CV checked professionally and received advice on how to develop a cover letter. Navitas is coming to StudyExpo again this year to help all struggling international students build their resume, so I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity!
This year, I am part of AUG’s Student Ambassadors for the upcoming International Student Education, Migration and Internship Expo, AUG StudyExpo. This opportunity allows me to gain valuable experience in event management and marketing, as well as develop my soft skills which I believe will be handy when I join the workforce.
My undergraduate life will come to an end this year and my plan is to apply for an Honours in Psychology before starting on my working life. There are many different career pathways out there, so it’s always beneficial to hear from the professionals and to gain insight into the relevant industries. AUG’s Education, Migration and Internship Expo is a great platform to consider the opportunities currently available and how you qualify for it. This is why I am attending AUG’s StudyExpo on April 20th, 2019 to get inspired by the various career seminars and learn how to enhance my professional development. See you there!
