An International Students Perspective

Welcome, new education system

Having an open mind – is key. Being open, allows you to fully immerse and absorb into your new surroundings, culture and education system. It also helps to overcome those ‘early days hurdles.’ 

It is important to do your homework, prepare and plan, as a post-graduate degree in Australia, may differ to what you may have in mind.  For example, most master’s degrees have a mandatory requirement to enroll into three or four courses per semester, for international students with a flexible timetable.

Pro Tip: Enroll early to avoid clashing timetables.  This also lets you dominate your calendar for the semester!

Ok, so it’s your first semester

It’s your first week, commonly known as O-week or orientation week. This is where the university enables you to adapt to the campus; culture; facilities and most importantly alleviate any fears you may have with your new environment. 

Choosing relatively comfortable units for the first semester can be challenging especially, if you’re not from an English-speaking country. Many assignments are completed in groups, which may have you spending more time to complete if some of your peers do not bring their work to the table on time.  If you’re considering taking on a part-time job; volunteer in extracurricular activities; establish valuable network with professors/peers and industry people, ensure your studying commitments allow you to have time set aside for this.

One of my biggest takeaways from Uni, is time management and communication skills.  Yes, you might have a full calendar on a given day, but you quickly learn to multi-task! It is an essential skill for your professional future.

Guiding principles and questions
Being aware of your guiding or moral compass will help you tackle the challenges you will face throughout your uni life. I use Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle model to help me identify my motivations when faced with roadblocks.

Using the Golden Circle model, here were a few questions which helped me throughout my master's degree - and still helping me today.

1. Why am I doing this course?  How can I learn more skills with this course?
2. Where do I want to see myself at the end of my studies?
3. What can I do, to get more involved in group activities, volunteering roles and/or how can I contribute in an effective manner?

It is important to know your why, how and what. Whenever you are in doubt, ask. It is better to be safe, than sorry.

Best things about Australian Universities are their student services, activities, unions and societies.  They are services available to help students achieve to their full potential. If you are looking to increase your visibility, you can enroll as a volunteer within these services to assist other students alike. The Student Support Centre is available to help students with a diverse range of support services ranging from providing study guidance to offering support in settling into your new ‘home’. Some Universities have departments available to assist you with your assignments; help tailor your people skills or prepare your resume and LinkedIn profile.

There are great student support networks/forums available to you to stay motivated or overcome those milestones.  Seek out groups within your community, university or here at The Construction Coach.

Mental Health
The City of Melbourne is home to one of the world's most harmonious and culturally diverse communities – this means, you will come across a diverse range of people.  Some are real geniuses and then there are those who unfortunately only add to your workload (this one applies to those group assignments!).
Expect to be on the receiving end of opinions, many of which will challenge your values and focus. Take it from me; be it negative or positive comments, if you are thrown off course – take the time to refocus and revisit your ‘guiding principles’ to realign your steps.

Your metal health is so, important. Find ways to stay healthy. Developing a hobby can be helpful in keeping you motivated and I highly recommend building your network of people you trust, they will help you throughout your journey. It is as Napoleon Hill says, “whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” 

Professional and Technical Societies
Enrolling into professional and technical societies contributes and plays an important role in your future career. Australia has some outstanding technical societies to get involved in, whether it be engineering; estimating; risk; structural or fire.  Ensure to enroll into societies in alignment to your passion and get involved as much and as soon as applicable.  This will not only help in building your network, it will expose you to learning directly from industry professionals.

The more involved you make yourself, the more you’ll learn and build your professional presence.  At the same time, this will help you with your communication and build your confidence.

In summary

Life is continual learning journey. You know the saying: The more you learn, the more you know.  The more you know, the more you forget.  The more you forget, the less you know.  If anything, you take away from this, always be willing to learn and embrace the changes you are going through, for they can improve your skills and build you towards being more proactive.

Remember your goals in wanting to study abroad and what drove you here in the first place. Hold onto that. 


Malik Khan is passionate about empowering young graduates and undergraduates in the pursuance of their career in their respective fields.  He has a Bachelor in Civil Engineering (India) and Masters of Construction and Infrastructure Management (Swinburne University, Australia).  With a built understanding of the engineering, manufacturing and the construction industries in India and Australia, his experiences currently see him working as Contract Administrator/Project Estimator with Edina Building Group.  Volunteering as Content Curator for The Construction Coach, Malik focuses on generating topics of conversation by industry leaders.  He is a committee member of the Risk Engineering Society (RES), where he collaborates with industry experts to develop leadership qualities and contribute to the safety, health, environmental and effectiveness of society.

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