From a Student to Mentor: My Journey of Personal Growth Abroad

Many people often inquire about how I managed to navigate my initial time abroad and reach where I am today. As such, I'd like to offer insights from my personal journey as a reclusive Malaysian boy who travelled to Australia for further studies.

Adapting to a foreign country and overcoming challenges such as homesickness, adjusting to a new environment, and encountering different cultures, were no easy feats. I recommend every first-year student studying abroad to be mentally and physically prepared, as it's a unique chance to develop independence. I extensively researched various websites and sought advice from the university's current students. Following this research, I prepared a list of tasks necessary for settling in Australia, such as setting up a bank account or phone number.

Adapting to my new surroundings, the first aspect I focused on was familiarizing myself with the local study and work culture. This was made easier through the numerous workshops offered on campus. I also made an effort to attend social events as much as possible to make new friends, hoping to stave off homesickness. As an introvert, approaching people was a daunting task, but I realized that remaining in my comfort zone was even more detrimental. Despite initial rejections from student association committees at ANU due to my lack of confidence, I volunteered extensively to improve myself, dedicating 180 hours to date, earning me the label of a "volunteering enthusiast."

In 2020, I shifted my volunteering focus to student associations, serving as a committee member of three associations (MSO, AFEC, and ASEAN). This offered different experiences compared to the one-off volunteering I did the previous year. I was also involved in a mentoring program, guiding roughly 15 mentees in total. As I approach graduation, I plan to publish a guide with tips to aid future ANU students.

Here are some of my fun experience volunteering: