International Student Diaries: Navigating O-Week Far from Home
For many international students, starting university isn’t just about beginning a degree. It’s about stepping into an entirely new world – a new country, new culture and new people. Moving abroad for university is an adventure filled with excitement, uncertainty, and its fair share of nervous energy.
At the heart of this enormous transition is Orientation Week; the first taste of university life in a place far from home. For international students, Orientation Week – fondly known as O-Week – is more than just an introduction to university life. It’s the first step in building a home away from home, a time of discovery, and an opportunity to embrace new experiences while finding a sense of belonging.
O-Week is designed to be a fun and welcoming experience, but for international students, it can also bring a mix of emotions – excitement, nervousness. Perhaps, even a bit of culture shock.
“I remember stepping onto campus and feeling completely lost,” said Tanvir, a first-year psychology student from India. “But then I saw student ambassadors waving and guiding us, and suddenly, it felt a little less scary.”
One of the biggest concerns for international students is making friends in a new environment. Thankfully, O-Week fosters a strong sense of community, offering plenty of opportunities to connect. International student meet-and-greet sessions, DUSA cultural clubs, and icebreaker activities create spaces where students can bond over shared experiences.
“I met my first friend at an international student event,” said Tameez, a Bachelor of Engineering student from Sri Lanka. “We bonded over missing home food, and now we go on food hunts together, trying out different restaurants in the city.”
For many, DUSA clubs play a key role in forming friendships. Whether it’s joining a club that celebrates their home culture or stepping into something entirely new – like learning an Australian sport – these groups provide a sense of belonging.
Beyond the social scene, O-Week is also a lifeline for practical advice. From understanding public transport to setting up a bank account, sessions tailored for international students make settling in much easier.
“The university had a session on working part-time in Australia, which helped me understand my visa rights,” shares Vishrut, a Master of Construction Management student from India. “It made me feel more confident about managing life here.”
Sessions on mental health, academic expectations, and safety further ease the transition.
“I had no idea how different university studies would be here compared to back home,” said a first-year biotechnology student. “The library tour and academic skills workshop really helped me understand how to research and write assignments properly.”
Of course, O-Week wouldn’t be complete without its moments of pure fun – silent discos, scavenger hunts and attempts to master Aussie slang.
“I still don’t know what ‘arvo’ means,” Tameez jokes.
By the end of O-Week, what once felt unfamiliar starts to feel exciting. The campus, once a maze, begins to feel like home. Strangers from different parts of the world become friends, and the journey of being an international student in Australia officially begins.
While homesickness is inevitable, O-Week reassures students that they are not alone. The friendships formed, the lessons learned, and the experiences gathered in these first few days set the tone for the years ahead.
“I came here alone, but after O-Week, I feel like I already have a little family,” said Kalyla, a biotechnology student from India. “And that makes all the difference.”
O-Week isn’t just about welcoming new students – it’s about making them feel at home, no matter how far they’ve come.