Seiko
Japan
Institution: Charles Darwin University
Seiko was first inspired
by Australia when she studied the history of Oceania at university in
her home country of Japan. “Australia was one of the interesting
countries to me,” she says.
Now she is 5000 kilometres from home,
working towards a Master of Professional Accounting in Darwin, in
Australia’s tropical north.
Accounting is a big change from her
previous degree. Seiko has found some of the units tough, but says that
she has learnt a lot already. Because class sizes are small, she can
talk freely to her lecturers whenever she needs help.
“I like
studying in Australia because it doesn’t matter where you are from or
who you are, as long as you study in Australia, you will get more
opportunities to get a job and be able to develop yourself.”
In
her first year of study, Seiko lived with a local family. This homestay
was organised with her university. Now she’s sharing a house with a
friend. “People here are very nice and kind.”
Seiko says that
being in Australia is not only about studying: “Every day passing brings
you a great opportunity or challenge and [the chance to] see a lot of
amazing experiences that you would never have in your country.”
It’s no wonder she says she’s never been homesick.