Many students dream of studying abroad, and Hein from Burma is living that dream by pursuing his Bachelor of Engineering at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. Monash Engineering has recently climbed up 11 spots to be ranked #44 globally and #1 nationally in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023 for its excellent engineering program.

Hein chose to study in Melbourne, Australia's best student city, because Australian universities are known for their high-quality education and innovative teaching methods. He was intrigued by the prospect of joining this academic community.

When Hein first arrived in Melbourne, he was pleasantly surprised by the warm welcome he received and the sense of familiarity he felt when visiting Melbourne's Chinatown, which reminds him of his home country.

One of the things Hein loves about Melbourne is its vibrant cafe culture. He enjoys exploring the city's many cafes, trying out new coffee blends, and enjoying some of Melbourne's delicious food options. Additionally, he loves dogs and is delighted to see so many dog-friendly parks and cafes around the city.

As an international student, Hein finds Melbourne a safe and welcoming city. He feels comfortable walking around the city, even at night, and he appreciates the friendly and helpful attitude of the locals. He advises anyone considering studying in Melbourne to know it is a safe country with friendly people.

However, there are also some challenges Hein faces while studying in Melbourne. One of the biggest challenges was finding suitable accommodation, and he wishes he’d known about the Study Melbourne Hub which can support students and provide advice about the types of accommodation available.

Despite these challenges, Hein is grateful for the opportunity to study in Melbourne. He appreciates the high-quality education he is receiving at Monash University and enjoys being part of the vibrant student community on campus. He has made many new friends from around the world and has had the opportunity to participate in many extracurricular activities, including sports and volunteering.

Looking towards the future, Hein plans to settle in Australia after completing his degree. He believes that Melbourne offers many opportunities for career growth and personal development, and he hopes to contribute to the city's dynamic and diverse community.

Hein's experience studying in Melbourne is a positive one overall. While there are challenges, he believes Melbourne offers a safe and welcoming environment for international students. If you are considering studying in Melbourne, Hein advises you to take advantage of the many resources available to international students, be open to new experiences, and enjoy all this vibrant city offers.

Thinking of choosing Melbourne?

Hein's experience demonstrates the benefits of studying in Melbourne, a cosmopolitan city renowned for its food, nightlife, sport and events and the availability of free resources and support for international students provided by the Study Melbourne Hubs:

If you’re ready to take the next step, visit our Course Finder to see what courses are available in Melbourne and Victoria.

Read other student stories about living in Victoria:

If you're interested in learning more about the experiences of international students in Victoria, there are several student stories you can explore, each of which offers a unique perspective on what it's like to live and study in Melbourne and Victoria.

For example, you can check out Sunny's story, in which he shares his experiences as an international student in Melbourne and Geelong. His story offers insights into the challenges of adjusting to a new culture, as well as the rewards that come with immersing oneself in a diverse and dynamic community.

You might also want to read an interview with Yuze Lu, a student from China who shares her thoughts on the benefits of studying abroad and the challenges of balancing academic and personal pursuits while living far from home.

Fazil, an Indian student, offers a different perspective on the joys and challenges of studying in Victoria, sharing his experiences navigating a new academic environment while also making the most of the cultural opportunities that Melbourne has to offer.

If you're interested in learning about life in Victoria from a Japanese perspective, then be sure to check out Minako's interview. She shares her experiences of adjusting to a new culture, making friends, and exploring the region's natural beauty.

Johanna, a student from Sweden, offers yet another unique perspective on what it's like to live and study in Victoria. In her interview, she talks about the importance of staying open-minded and embracing new experiences, even when they're challenging or unfamiliar.

Finally, you can read an interview with Elisa, a student from Mexico who shares her insights into the challenges and rewards of studying abroad, as well as her tips for making the most of your time in Victoria.

These stories offer a fascinating glimpse into the experiences of international students in Victoria, highlighting the many different paths students can take and the diverse perspectives they bring.

Why choose to Study in Melbourne?

One of the best things about studying in Victoria is the wide range of experiences available to students.

From bustling cities to serene coastal towns, there's something for everyone. For Hajra, studying in Victoria has been a life-changing experience.

In addition to its obvious natural beauty, Victoria offers a world-class education system (Melbourne has been ranked as Australia’s best student city) with a variety of study options to choose from. Hajra can attest to this, having had a wonderful experience at The Gordon TAFE in Geelong.

For Hajra, choosing to study in Melbourne was an easy choice.

"It's the best place," she says. "I highly recommend Melbourne, because it's a great place to visit and live." She particularly loves the weather conditions and traditional restaurant foods that are available in Melbourne.

Hajra’s study experience

One of the things that made Hajra feel warm and welcomed when she first arrived in Melbourne was the safe environment created by her education provider. She finds her study material completely manageable and interesting, and is “very satisfied” with it.

Hajra highly recommends every international student to consider studying in Victoria.

In particular, Hajra chose to study at The Gordon TAFE in Geelong because it offered a Diploma of Nursing, which can provide a pathway to a successful career in healthcare. The course is highly regarded, with experienced and passionate educators who provide a supportive and engaging learning environment.

The Gordon TAFE also offers excellent facilities, including state-of-the-art simulation labs and clinical placements, providing students with valuable practical experience. In fact, The Gordon TAFE was awarded the International Provider of the Year at the Victorian International Education Awards in 2022.

Exciting events: The Avalon Airshow

Through Study Melbourne, Hajra recently won free tickets to the Avalon Airshow and was able to experience the excitement and wonder of this incredible event.

The Airshow is one of the most popular events in Victoria, attracting visitors from all over the world. Hajra was blown away by the incredible skills of the pilots and aircraft workers.

“The pilots and the aircraft workers showed their beautiful skills by making the craft move in different ways." She was particularly moved by the pilots making the aircraft move in a coordinated heart-shaped loop, which she described as "the most beautiful scene for me".

Hajra was also impressed by the diversity of the crowd at the Airshow. She said that "a lot of children and people were there from different cultures, even older and younger people, and everyone enjoyed it!" The Airshow was a perfect representation of the diversity and excitement that studying in Victoria can offer. You can find more great world-class events by connecting with Study Melbourne.

What are some benefits of studying a Diploma?

Hajra chose to study a Diploma of Nursing, but there are plenty of other options available — you can explore your options with our Course Finder.

Here are our top five reasons why studying a Diploma can be a great option:

  1. Diplomas take less time to complete (1-2 years) and can be less expensive than a full-time degree program
  2. Diplomas improve career prospects by enhancing skills, knowledge, and expertise
  3. Diplomas offer flexible study options such as online or part-time study, accommodating individuals with work or other commitments
  4. Students can study subjects most valuable to their career
  5. Diplomas provide a pathway to further education, such as a degree program, and can save time and money by providing credits towards a higher qualification.

Study Melbourne

Study Melbourne and Study Geelong provide support and information to this community of international students, helping you to have the best possible time while studying and living in Victoria.

The Study Melbourne Hub is a study space in the centre of Melbourne for tertiary international students living in Victoria. The Hub is a welcoming place to network, attend events, meet other students and access support and advice.

The Hub is located at 17 Hardware Lane, Melbourne. 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday.

We look forward to meeting you!!