All the Tips You Need to Live Your Best International Student Life

"Your life just changes within a blink of an eye."

This article is presented in partnership with Monash Business School. You can listen to the full podcast on Spotify, Apple Music, or right below.

The transition from high school to university is intimidating enough, but imagine if you had to throw moving countries into the midst of that as well?

A new language, new city, new people AND a new course—it's enough to make your palms sweat just thinking about it.

That's why we’ve teamed up with Monash Business School to bring you a special five-part podcast series called “What I Wish I Knew About Studying Business”.

In our second episode, we welcomed Oshani Paranagama to speak specifically about settling into university as an international student.

Covering everything from picking your degree to where to look for help, these are all the tips you need if you're moving to Australia to study (or know someone who is).

Meet Oshani. 

Oshani was born and raised in Sri Lanka, and had been determined to make it to Monash Business School since high school.

"I came here for my first year of uni when I was 19," she said on the podcast.

"I actually knew I was going to come to Australia because both my elder sisters were starting here at Monash. I remember doing my final A exams and, as soon as I finished the paper, I was like 'okay, next stop is Monash'."

Oshani hadn't actually gotten in yet, but she knew she would.

Then, of course, she was faced with that nightmare decision of what to study.

"Like many people in high school, I didn't really have an idea of what exactly I wanted to do, so I thought I'd go with a general degree, which would then help me sort of decide which sector I'd like to specialise in,"Oshani said.

So, she picked a Bachelor of Business Administration.

"I actually thought that I might do an accounting major, but after I finished my first year at uni and I had had a taste of the different disciplines that Monash offered, I found that I actually enjoyed being a bit more creative and doing a role which involved a lot of people. So I chose marketing."

A unique start to uni. 

In what can only be described as seriously unlucky, Oshani had made it all the way over to Melbourne to start uni and her first day.... was actually her last.

"We went into the lockdown right after that... So it was just one full day, after that it was all online," she laughed.

"But I remember that day very well. I was really nervous, very, very scared. And I remember my first class as well. It was an accounting tutorial and nobody was talking to each other... I was like, 'oh my God I'm not gonna have any friends these entire three years, I'm just gonna be on my own' but it was completely the opposite, obviously."

What it's really like moving countries for university.

Oshani describes that period of her life transitioning from high school in Sri Lanka to university in Australia as full of anxiety and nerves.

"Your life just changes within a blink of an eye—suddenly you're on this plane and you land in this brand new country and you're supposed to just settle in. It's a massive, massive change," she said.

But, of course, it's made her a much more confident and resilient person and that's something she said she's grateful for. 

So, advice please?

Oshani has a few great words of wisdom.

"Believe in yourself and just be confident".

"Without a doubt what's in front of you is just a very hard thing to get by, but it's really just going to build who you are as a person. It's gonna build your character."

"Talk to people".

"Just put yourself out there... and just start building your network [because] what makes uni the most joyful thing is the people that you do it with."

"Say yes to everything".

"Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and don't be afraid to fail, because that's the only way that you are going to learn and grow."

And last but not least, if you need more assistance, don't be afraid to reach out.

"There are a bunch of international student services available [from Monash] and there's also a really good global ambassador program... a lot of cultural programs, a lot of sessions for you to meet new students, to mingle and just have a conversation about what you're all going through in life at the moment," Oshani suggested.

"My biggest tip is to talk to your lecturers about it and they can really direct you to all the different, amazing resources that you have."

Check out the rest of Oshani's advice on our latest episode of “What I Wish I Knew About Studying Business” and check out more information about Monash here!