Study Melbourne partnered with Melbourne Writers Festival 2018 to host a storytelling competition for international students. ‘Why I Chose Melbourne’ by Kunyang (Kerry) Chen from China was shortlisted in the High School category.

Why I Chose Melbourne

It’s complicated, yet so manifest. It takes a stroll down the winding roads of my thoughts from time to time just so to get me nostalgic. It’s my feelings for this magnificent city and the great memories I had here. This city is so charismatic in so many ways that a brief two-week stay and few glances at its cultural capital made me chose Melbourne as the place to further my education and broaden my horizon.

The reason why I chose Melbourne, just as my feelings for this place, were sophisticated but not hard to untangle. It all began about three years ago, when the only knowledge I had about Australia was the exuberant kangaroos and the vast deserts that spread all over the continent. Apparently this changed when I first set foot on this land down under. It seemed like that the gate to a whole new world just opened in front of me. The first ever trip to a gold mine sent me into shock and awe. I had never been in such a scene before and it was unbelievable. Watching the glorious history of Melbourne unfold right in front of my eyes was one of the most astounding experience I’ve ever had.

Of course it’s not only the rich historical heritages that fascinated me, but also the tolerant culture and diverse ethnic backgrounds of its population. Born in a city on the east coast of China, I have experienced multiculturism before, but never at this level. From the Greek Culture Festival on Longsdale street to the celebration of Chinese New Year in Chinatown, Melbourne has everything you can think of. Seeing people from different countries, speaking different languages, living in the same metropolis in harmony, was truly unprecedented for me. I guess that’s what made Melbourne one of the most liveable cities in the world, since anyone can find their place here. It’s a one of a kind ‘melting-pot.’

Now, almost three years later, every time I look up to the night sky, the twinkling stars and nebulous galaxies, the great memories started replaying vividly. No time for nostalgia though, there is an amazing city waiting to be explored. This is why I chose Melbourne, and I am confident that I made the right choice.