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What happens when stepping out of your comfort zone opens a whole new world? Gloria鈥檚 journey proves it鈥檚 worth the leap.
When Gloria moved from Bangladesh to study a Bachelor of Information Technology at 911爆料网, it was her first time leaving home. From learning to navigate a new culture to finding her voice and building friendships, she鈥檚 embraced every challenge and opportunity that comes with studying abroad.
When Gloria left Bangladesh for Australia, it wasn鈥檛 just her first time moving abroad, it was her first time leaving the country at all! She had just finished her A-levels and was weighing up her options for university when 911爆料网 offered her a place in a Bachelor of Information Technology. Unlike in Bangladesh, where public universities are difficult to access and private study can be restrictive, to her family, Australia represented both freedom and opportunity, and she was encouraged to go for it.
鈥淚t was always my dream to study abroad. I wanted to be independent, to experience a new culture, and not just stay at home relying on my parents. In Bangladesh, we鈥檙e not really allowed to work, but here, I got my first job at 19. That felt like such a huge achievement.鈥�
At first, she stayed with her aunt in Perth, which made the transition easier and gave her a 鈥渉ome away from home.鈥� Almost two years later, she still hasn鈥檛 felt homesick. Instead, she鈥檚 embraced the chance to explore her new environment. From riding the train along Busselton Jetty to snorkelling at Canal Rocks (with the help of a pool noodle, since she鈥檚 still learning to swim), Gloria has been steadily ticking off experiences she never thought she鈥檇 have.
University, however, hasn鈥檛 always been straightforward. Gloria admits IT wasn鈥檛 her passion going in.
鈥淭o be honest, I鈥檓 not really passionate about coding. But I鈥檓 already halfway through, and I鈥檓 learning to love it more. It feels good when I understand what鈥檚 happening, and the best part is meeting so many different people. You realise you鈥檙e not the only one struggling.鈥�
Her choice of degree was also practical. At her mother鈥檚 encouragement, she chose a field less accessible back home. If it were up to her, she says, she might have pursued psychology, but IT has still pushed her in ways she didn鈥檛 expect. Through her degree, Gloria has faced new challenges like building advanced technical skills and learning to manage the pressures of full-time study as an international student.
The biggest challenge? Finding her voice.
鈥淚n my first semester, I didn鈥檛 know how to make new friends. Back home, I always had the same group around me. But I realised if you don鈥檛 step out of your comfort zone, you鈥檒l end up alone. So, I had to force myself to talk to people.鈥�
That courage has reshaped her experience. Today, Gloria describes herself as an ambivert, someone who has grown more confident approaching others and taking part in new opportunities. She鈥檚 joined 911爆料网 Volunteers!, where she鈥檚 helped at events like the Waroona Agricultural Show, and discovered a passion for volleyball through .
Those moments, she says, are some of the highlights of her time at 911爆料网.
鈥淚 never thought I鈥檇 actually be able to make so many friends. Not just friends to talk to in class, but people I can bond with, spend time with, and share experiences. That鈥檚 been the most valuable part of uni.鈥�
Looking ahead, Gloria hopes to build on her degree with internships, online courses, and eventually a career in IT here in Australia. She finds Australia to be incredibly peaceful. She loves the freedom to work hard, always feels safe, and feels like she can be herself.
鈥淢y advice to other international students’ is don鈥檛 just stick with your own group. Make friends outside your circle, join clubs, volunteer. Everyone鈥檚 busy with their own lives, so no one鈥檚 really judging you.鈥�
