Guide for
International Students

"I have been using the knowledge I learned in Australia to grow professionally and personally."

Sonia's Story

International Student from Mozambique
Studied: Master of Public Health

"During my stay in Australia, I acquired so many cultural habits and customs, it was hard to believe that I was only there for two and half years. Although I was warned to be prepared for the shock upon returning home, it was like a slap in the face to get off the plane, back to Mozambique. Even so, when I got home, I was excited to see my relatives and wanted to tell everyone about my life-changing experience. People at home were happy too because I had proven myself a responsible and capable student. Although I appreciated being in Australia, I missed home a lot and, initially, it seemed great to be back in my old life. However, after months, things seemed to change. Australia had became a second home for me, my husband and son. I started to miss my friends and lifestyle in Australia and became very sad. I started to feel like a stranger in my own home. People seemed strange too and even my parents and friends, whom I had missed for so long, seemed unfamiliar. Things got worse when I was not working. I started criticizing what was wrong in Mozambique and became annoyed with everyone telling me to get accustomed to life back in Mozambique.

As the time goes by however, this feeling is fading. I no longer feel depressed and strange with those surrounding me. I got a job in an Institution where I have the opportunity to use my English skills. I have been using the knowledge I learned in Australia to grow professionally and personally. My husband and son have both accustomed to their new life in Mozambique and are doing well. Although we still miss our friends and everything we left behind, culture shock does no longer belong to our diary."

"In Australia, I needed to take care of everything by myself, with only myself to rely on, which made me become an independent person."

Kejun's Story

International Student from People's Republic China

"Getting professional work was the most challenging thing about returning home. There were high expectations from family and friends that after several years of study overseas, that it would be easy for me to get a good job.

Finding work took a few months, but now I am working at HSBC China and I love my job, which includes many business trips to visit companies in different economic development zones. I an learning a lot from this job, and so far I feel I am developing my skills for a better future.

In Australia, I needed to take care of everything by myself, with only myself to rely on, which made me become an independent person. Now that I am back home, I wish I could have some of the same freedom that I had in Australia.

Of course, family and friends have noticed that compared to when I left home, I have became more mature and a man who can be relied on.

I miss the friends I made in Australia a lot as some of them decided to stay in Australia and some others have gone back to their home regions and countries. It's sad to think we cannot meet again in the near future, to have dinner outside and share a few beers together. And I especially miss all the time I spent in Australia, and I wish I could live it all over again."