Devyani, Monash University

Masters of Psychology (Counselling), Monash University 

Why did you decide to study in Melbourne?
My sister started studying in Australia more than a year before I did. I came to visit her for a holiday and let’s just say it was “love at first sight” as far as Australia was concerned. I had heard from a number of people that Melbourne was one of the most culturally-rich cities in Australia. Additionally, it was also known to be the “educational capital” of the country. Therefore it was always my first choice.

Why did you decide to study at Monash?
From among all the universities, I knew that if I came to Australia to study, Monash would be it! The reports that I heard about the University from people back in India only reinforced my determination to come to Monash.

Additionally, I was told by a certain professional in my field that it ranked number one (from amongst the universities I had applied to) for the Psychology program that I intended to do.

What do you enjoy most about studying in Melbourne?
The fact that Melbourne is home to people from diverse cultural backgrounds. Additionally, it has some of the friendliest and warmest people I’ve met. One never really runs out of activities to do in Melbourne: places to dine, cafes, other cultural activities etc. It truly is the cultural and social hub of Australia.

What do you enjoy most about studying at Monash?
I could write somewhat of a thesis on what I enjoy the most about studying in Monash. However to put things into a nutshell: Monash has given me the best possible education that I could have wished for. My course has been everything that I had hoped for and more. Secondly, the opportunity to meet people through both paid employment and voluntary work is an experience I have thoroughly enjoyed and I shall cherish this for a very long time to come.

What issues did you encounter when you first came here?
Perhaps the most difficult to adjust to was the pace of life in here. I came from a city that worked round the clock, true to the phrase “a city that never sleeps”. It took a while for me to get used to a significantly slower pace of life. To give a few examples, the fact that practically nothing was open after five in the evening and tailoring my outings as per the availability of the city’s public transport.

What advice do you have to future students?
I guess the first thing I would tell future students is to come without expectations. Comparing Melbourne to the city that you come from will not make adjusting easier. Melbourne has its own charm which grows on you. Trust me, you’ll love it just as much as I did.

Secondly, take every opportunity to make the most of what Monash has to offer you, from your lecturers and faculty to various social activities around the various Monash campuses. Finally, do not hesitate to ask if you’re lost and need help, be it as far as your course goes or otherwise. Everyone I have encountered has been more than just helpful.